Click on the image to enlarge In the United States, approximately 9 billion chickens are raised for their meat each year! About 25,000 family farmers have production contracts with the broiler chicken companies. Approximately 95% of broiler chickens are produced on these farms while only 5% are raised on company-owned farms. The U.S.A. has the […]
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How to Protect Your Poultry During a Natural Disaster
Natural disasters are on the rise, and if you keep poultry you are responsible for the safety of your birds. No matter where you live, nearly everyone is vulnerable to disasters of one sort or another — wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, volcanic eruptions, chemical spills, hurricanes or tornadoes. Here are eight commonsense steps that will […]
Continue ReadingBreed Spotlight: Brahma Chickens
If you spend much time on YouTube, you may remember seeing a massive Brahma rooster strutting his stuff in a video that went viral last year. We received quite a bit of interest in Brahma chickens as a result, so we figured this would be a great opportunity to provide our readers with a little […]
Continue ReadingMake the Perfect Boiled Egg with These Handy Devices
Boiling an egg might seem like a pretty straightforward culinary endeavor, but getting a boiled egg just right can be easier said than done. In fact, one recent survey found that “help boiling an egg” is the third-most-common request made by owners of smart speakers like the Amazon Alexa and Google Home. The good news […]
Continue ReadingBreed Spotlight: Silkie Bantam Chickens
Named for their trademark fluffy plumage that feels like silk to the touch, Silkie Bantams are among the most beloved ornamental breeds in the world. Their soft, beautiful feathers have made them a popular choice for exhibition birds, but the striking appearance of Silkie Bantams is far from their only virtue. Silkie Bantams have a […]
Continue ReadingShould You Vaccinate Your Chickens Against Marek’s Disease?
If you’ve purchased chicks from Cackle Hatchery in the past, you may have noticed that we offer our customers the opportunity to vaccinate all of our chicken breeds against Marek’s disease. This highly-contagious viral disease causes chickens to develop a variety of devastating symptoms such as vision impairment, partial paralysis and cancerous tumor growth on […]
Continue ReadingRaising Cornish Cross Hens? Try This Delicious Recipe at Home!
Raising a flock of chickens to put food on the table for you and your family? If so, the Cornish Cross is an excellent breed to consider as it will provide you with more than enough meat to make some delicious meals. Give this herb-stuffed roasted chicken recipe a try with your Cornish Cross hens. […]
Continue ReadingBreed Spotlight: Welsh Harlequin Ducks
Thinking about adding some waterfowl to your flock? Ducks are a great place to start. Many breeds are small, social and easy to handle, and their eggs typically have more protein and healthy fats than chicken eggs. Today we’d like to take a moment to appreciate one of our favorite duck breeds—the Welsh Harlequin. […]
Continue ReadingRare Breed Spotlight: The Ayam Cemani Chicken
Of all the chickens in the world, the Ayam Cemani is one of the most unusual and interesting breeds. These chickens are instantly recognizable thanks to the pitch-black color that covers them from head to toe. This rare coloration is due to a genetic condition called Fibromelanosis that causes hyperpigmentation in the chickens. In fact, […]
Continue ReadingWatch a Mother Hen Enjoy a Meal With Her New Chicks [Video]
In honor of Mother’s Day, we’d like to take a moment to appreciate the remarkable maternal instincts of mother hens. Although some hens tend to make better mothers than others—Silkies and Orpingtons are widely-regarded as some of the best breeds for hatching—all hens have natural maternal instincts that kick in as soon as their chicks […]
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