Domesticated duck breeds were all initially created from either wild Mallard ducks or wild Muscovy ducks. Through generations of breeding, we have created particular characteristics. This myriad of domestic duck breeds has been generated around the world. We created some domesticated duck breeds specifically for meat production. Others were bred for quantity and quality egg-laying. […]
For those of us who love our chickens and their endearing little ways, the difference between a chicken and hen might seem like a ‘no-brainer. But, if you have never raised chickens, then it’s a fair question. It’s one of those questions that we chicken folk doesn’t even think about – but what actually are […]
It’s only a matter of time before a chicken lover decides it’s time to add a duck, or five, to the flock. With their adorable good looks and humorous farm antics, ducks are tough to resist. It quickly becomes a homesteading staple raising chickens and ducks together. It has been said that ducks are the […]
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We all love our chickens, but how long do they live? The answer to the question can depend on so many things. Nowadays, hens have become productive pets for thousands of people, and we want the best for them, so knowing what to expect is really important. Today, we will take a look at the […]
Read More… from How Long Do Chickens Live: 6 Factors That Impact Life Expectancy
We have come to depend a lot on the food industry to supply us with tasty, quick meals in our busy lives. The downside of this is the occasional outbreak of food-related illnesses. Unfortunately, we can get a disease from backyard chickens. Sadly, we have become almost ‘used’ to hearing about salmonella outbreaks, listeria, E.coli, […]
Read More… from 4 Diseases Humans Get from Backyard Chickens: Zoonotic Diseases
Maybe you are just curious, or maybe you have in mind a nice, big chicken dinner or large eggs, either way knowing you have likely wondered at least once what is the largest Chicken breed. The answer is easy: The Jersey Giant is the largest chicken breed. There are many other large chicken breeds, for […]
The Speckled Sussex is an old-time favorite in its homeland of England. It has endured over the centuries to become a firm favorite with a dedicated following. Although other varieties of Sussex fowl were in danger of dying out in the early 1900s, a few die-hard poultry keepers kept the lines going, greatly improving on […]
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We feed meat chickens is a little different than feeding a typical layer hen. Chickens bred to be efficient meat birds grow much faster than chickens intended to produce eggs, meaning they have different nutritional requirements. A Cornish Cross, for example, is ready for processing in about 8-9 weeks, while a heritage breed like the […]
It would be great to have a hard-and-fast rule for the exact day, weight, or age to slaughter a chicken. That kind of precision is nearly impossible due to the number of variables involved. In this article, I’ll go over the variables to consider when planning your chicken processing day so you’ll have the perfect […]
Read More… from Chicken Processing 101: When to Slaughter Your Chickens, Steps, and Equipment
Cock-a-doodle-do, is a universally known sound that just about everyone knows. Roosters are loud and proud and like to let everyone know they are in the neighborhood! But seriously, why do they crow? There are several reasons why a rooster may crow, and we will run through those here, but maybe a rooster crows just […]