The average well-cared-for chicken may live 8 to 10 years. Some chickens survive 15 years or more. Many factors contribute to a chicken’s longevity. Some of these factors relate to genetics. Other factors have to do with good management. Guinness Records The first chicken recognized by Guinness World Records as the World’s Oldest Living Chicken […]
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A lot of chicken keepers are fond of adding vinegar to their chickens’ drinking water. Chickens like the taste of vinegar in mild doses — one tablespoon vinegar per gallon of water. And since hens run the risk of dehydration during hot summer weather, many backyard keepers add vinegar to chickens’ water to encourage their […]
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What you can do when a egg layer stops laying depends on the reason she stopped. A hen may take a break for a great number of reasons. Once you determine the reason, you may be able to take measures to get her back on track. So let’s look at possible reasons why your egg […]
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When you are ready to raise a batch of baby chicks, should you buy chicks or hatching eggs? Each option has advantages and disadvantages. So how different is it when you start with eggs versus chicks? Starting with Eggs When you start with eggs that you plan to hatch, the first thing you need is […]
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A chicken normally breathes with a closed beak. A chicken breathing with an open beak is either ill or under stress — perhaps from heat or anxiety. Respiratory diseases of chickens usually include additional signs, such as sneezing, coughing, wheezing, a runny nose, or sticky eyes. Most respiratory infections are highly contagious. Some result from […]
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As exciting as it is to get new chicks in spring, even more exciting is finding their first eggs in the fall. As your pullets grow, you’ll naturally wonder when to expect your chickens to starting laying eggs. The answer depends on their state of health, their diet, their breed, and their age. Health A […]
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Listing all the things chickens will eat that are good for them would be nearly impossible. Chickens will eat just about anything, and the few things that aren’t good for them aren’t good for humans, either. Still, let’s take a quick look at some of the safe kitchen scraps for chickens. Fruits Chickens love just […]
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Although the age at which hens start laying eggs depends on many factors, the ultimate factor is the breed. Some breeds mature fast and start laying as early as 4 months of age, while others mature more slowly and start laying much later. Below are just a few of the many chicken breeds, along with […]
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Yes, chickens really do need a dust bath. Providing a suitable area for dust bathing has several benefits. It helps chickens condition their feathers. It minimize mites and lice. And it gives chickens something pleasurable to do, which helps keep them from pecking each other out of boredom. Plus wallowing in dust can help chickens […]
Continue ReadingThese are the winners and runner ups of the 2022 Cackle Hatchery Photo Contest: Winning 2022 Photos: Poultry Show 2022 Runner Up Photos: Funniest 2022 Runner Up Photos: Best of Breed 2022 Runner Up Photos:
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