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Blue Egg Chicken: Ameraucana or Americana?

Ameraucana-Eggs

How do you spell the chicken breed that lays eggs with blue shells: Ameraucana or Americana? If you said Ameraucana, you are correct. So how did this breed get such an oddly spelled name? To answer that question requires reviewing the breed’s origin.   Araucana In 1925 a breed of chicken discovered in Chile was […]

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Broiler Chickens Infographic

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

Rooster Burrito

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 […]

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Breed Spotlight: Brahma Chickens

Brahma Hen

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 […]

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Chicken Breed Spotlight: Australorp or Black Jersey Giant

Jersey Giant

Australorp and Black Jersey Giant chickens look and behave a lot alike. Both are good foragers, and the hens of both breeds tend to become broody and raise their own chicks. Both breeds have a bright red single comb, red earlobes, a black beak, and dark brown eyes. Australorps come in one color — black. […]

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Make the Perfect Boiled Egg with These Handy Devices

Hard Boiled Eggs

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 […]

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Breed Spotlight: Silkie Bantam Chickens

Silkie Bantams

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 […]

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Why Does a Chicken Lose Feathers?

Chickens lose feathers for any number of reasons, some of which are seasonal, while others can occur at any time of year. Here are the most common reasons chickens and other poultry lose feathers and what you can do to help your feathered friends remain feathered.   Feather Picking Feather picking is most likely to […]

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