What is sour crop? It is something we all hear about from time to time but hopefully will never experience with our hens. We are going to delve into what it is, how to treat it and how to avoid it in the future. Also, we’re going to take a look at impacted crop which […]
We’ve all heard the phrase ‘the pecking order’. In our minds eye, we likely see colleagues and co-workers neatly arranged in order of ‘merit’. From the CEO down to the janitor, everyone has a place in the ‘pecking order’. The term ‘pecking order’ was first coined in 1921 by Thorleif Schjelderup-Ebbe to describe the hierarchy […]
Todays’ article tackles one of the least endearing qualities of our beloved hens – bullying. It is more than establishing the ‘pecking order’- it is systematically picking on one or two hens for no apparent reason. Bullying can be limited to feather plucking or it can escalate into full blown warfare with the receiving hen […]
Mealworms! Shake that packet and chickens come running from every corner of the yard. Chickens love dried mealworms, no doubt about it. But should you be feeding them to your flock? It really depends on the supplier. As always, higher quality ones are more expensive but in terms of your flock’s health it’s definitely worth […]
Raising ducklings is the most fun and cutest parts of the entire duck husbandry process. These cute little fuzzy bundles of energy and noise are exciting to watch grow and thrive for the kiddos and adults, alike. Baby ducklings being raised naturally by a momma or incubated by their future keepers, the husbandry tactics are […]
We all love to give our hens tidbits, but just what can chickens eat? I’m sure you’ve wondered what treats you can safely give to chickens, so we have put together this definitive list containing over 200 snacks. If you want to search for a specific snack you can use our tool below. Or you […]
An automated door – every chicken keepers dream! You can rest in bed and not have to worry about getting up at the crack of dawn to let the girls out. You can go away for the evening knowing they will be safely locked in while you are away. In addition to a stress-free life, […]
Chickens are an amazing addition to every homestead or small farm but unfortunately many other animals like them just as much as we do. While many people choose to keep their chickens safely cooped up not all breeds can handle the confinement. Others were bred particularly for their ability to forage and free range, so […]
As people become more invested in their health and more concerned about where their food comes from, there is more demand for backyard chickens. Factory farmed eggs are cheap, but they lack the flavor, color, and nutrients of pastured or backyard-raised ones! If you want to raise hens in a compassionate way for eggs that […]
Chickens are probably not on your radar when you think of birds that fly, but quite a few breeds are actually very good at it! There’s nothing quite as frustrating as chasing after one of your favorite birds that has “flown the coop” in an effort to protect her from being eaten or run over […]