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Signs of Molting in Chickens

A molting hen

Molting is the periodic shedding and renewal of a chicken’s feathers. Mature chickens usually molt once a year, at the approach of colder weather and shorter days. During winter, old tattered feathers don’t provide the same good insulation as a fresh coat of plumage. So what are the signs that tell you your chickens are […]

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5 Outstanding Chicken Breeds for a Cold Climate

Dominiques in a fenced in coop

Few chicken breeds are truly outstanding for a cold climate. Specifically, three features make these breeds exceptionally cold hardy. They are: Small wattles Small cushion, pea, or rose comb Tight or dense feathering A lot of chicken breeds do well in cold weather. But they lack some of the features that protect them from extreme […]

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Chickens Are Birds, But…

Three chickens sitting on a deck

Are chickens really birds? Yes, chickens are birds. They share many features in common with other birds, including feathers, wings, and beaks. But in some ways they also differ from most other birds. Here are five features that differentiate chickens from most other bird species. Breeds and Varieties One of the things that make people […]

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Green Muscle Disease in Broiler Chickens

A diagram of a normal chicken muscle and a chicken muscle infected by green muscle

First, let’s dispense with a few myths. Green muscle disease is not a disease. It is a disorder involving muscle degeneration. Second, among chickens it affects only Cornish-cross broilers, but not other types of meat chickens. Third, it is not new, having been identified since 1968. And fourth, green muscle is highly preventable. What is […]

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How to Feed Pullets for Optimal Egg Production

A man feeding pullets

A pullet’s nutritional needs vary with her stage of growth. A pullet that is nutritionally deficient, and therefore too thin at maturity, won’t be able to consume enough dietary protein to both lay eggs and continue growing. As a result, her first eggs will be delayed, and they will be smaller and fewer than normal. […]

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9 Common Questions about Meat Chickens

A roast Chicken

Many Cackle Hatchery® customers depend on homegrown chickens to fill their freezers and feed their families. First-timers often have questions about the process. Below are 9 of the most common questions our team answers about raising meat chickens. Which chickens are best for meat? Some people prefer Cornish cross broilers. Others savor the heavyweight heritage […]

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8 Summer Strategies to Keep Your Chickens Comfortable

A New Hampshire Hen pecks at a feeder

A chicken is most comfortable when the environmental temperature hovers around 70-75°F. As the temperature goes up, so does the chicken’s deep body temperature. Fatalities occur if the chicken’s deep body temperature reaches 115°F or above. When summer temperatures start to rise, here are 8 strategies you can observe to keep your chickens comfortable. 1. […]

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12 Common Questions about Chicken Characteristics

A Naked Neck chicken

Fielding questions from customers is one of the pleasures enjoyed by our team here at Cackle Hatchery®. Below are the 12 most answered questions about chicken characteristics. Where do chickens come from? Chickens descended from wild jungle fowl, domesticated thousands of years ago. The exact origin of modern chickens is a much studied subject that […]

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Reasons Not to Use Chicken Wire

A chicken stands in front of chicken wire

The word “chicken wire” implies wire that is excellent for use around chickens. Nothing could be further from the truth. What Is Chicken Wire? Chicken wire — also known as hexagonal netting, hex net, hex wire, or poultry netting — has been around since the mid 1800s. It consists of strands of thin wire twisted […]

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