The age at which a healthy hen lays her first egg depends, in large part, on her breed. Chicken breeds that are developed primarily for high egg production may start laying soon after they reach four months of age. Many backyard breeds start laying at the age of about 5 months. Chicken breeds that are […]
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Rare is the hen that will lay an egg every day, year round. Most hens lay in cycles. Depending on the hen’s breed and age, one cycle may last for 12 days or as long as a year. The total number of eggs laid within one laying cycle is called a clutch. Eggs per Clutch […]
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In June the fourth largest poultry-producer in the country, Perdue Farms, announced that they would begin implementing a variety of reforms designed to improve the lives of the chickens in their operations. Animal rights groups hailed the move as a milestone for an industry that has recently faced serious ethical concerns. Now GNP Co., the Midwest’s […]
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An egg tooth is a tiny horn-like projection at the tip of the upper beak of a newly hatched chick. Soon after the chick hatches, the egg tooth falls off. Domestic poultry and other birds share this trait in common with most reptiles. When a chicken egg is incubated, the egg tooth begins to […]
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Since they were first domesticated in China roughly 10,000 years ago, Chickens have been kept almost exclusively as livestock, rather than companion animals. Sure, we might appreciate their unique personalities and distinctly comical behaviors, but that’s not why we typically raise chickens. For the vast majority of people, it’s all about the meat and eggs. […]
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Scientists from Sweden and Ethiopia have discovered that malaria-causing mosquitoes don’t like the smell of chickens. Malarial mosquitoes avoid live chickens, as well as steering clear of compounds extracted from chicken feathers. Researchers are now investigating whether chicken-odor extract might be used as a malarial mosquito repellent, according to a recent BBC report. Since the […]
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Chickens have a wide range of likes and dislikes when it comes to what they eat. Unless they don’t otherwise get enough to eat, most chickens won’t eat things that are bad for them, or at least they are unlikely to eat enough to make them sick. Feeding kitchen scraps can be a nutritious way […]
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Every summer, health departments all across the country launch campaigns to prevent the spread of the mosquito-borne West Nile virus. West Nile prevention efforts are taken especially seriously in hot southern states where mosquito activity is more prevalent. Humans infected by the virus can exhibit a variety of symptoms, from fever and headaches to more […]
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Showing poultry is fun, interesting and educational. It’s also a great way to meet people of all ages from all walks of life who share a common interest. But it can be stressful, especially for the first time exhibitor. It can also be stressful for the birds. In his book Showing Poultry, veteran poultry judge […]
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Salmonella outbreaks have once again become a hot topic of discussion in the food processing industry. Recently, the USDA introduced new testing protocols designed to minimize the risk of outbreaks in poultry operations. Meanwhile, grocery store chain Whole Foods has been forced to issue recalls due to possible salmonella contamination in raw macadamia nuts. Today […]
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