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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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Keep Digging Predators Out of Your Chicken Yard

A drawing of a chicken behind a fence held up by paving stones

Keeping predators from digging into your chicken yard can be a challenge. How much effort and expense you wish to put into discouraging diggers depends a good deal on how long you expect your fence to last. If you are planning what you expect to be a lifetime fence, you might want to go all […]

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Get Your Chickens Ready for the Fair

A chicken keeper holds her bird and the award she won at a local fair.

Before you get your chickens ready for the fair, a good idea is to attend a few shows and become familiar with the procedures. Once you have an idea how things are handled, you’ll be better prepared to get involved. And by making friends with people who regularly exhibit, you’ll be more relaxed and have […]

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Feeders for Baby Chicks

Two baby chicks feeding out of a chick feeder

One of a chick’s first instincts is to peck. As soon as chicks are in a brooder, they look for things to peck. On newspaper they will peck the print. If they don’t see anything else to peck, they’ll peck their own toes. Suitable feeders for baby chicks will help them find the starter ration […]

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15 Common Questions about Chicken Behavior

A bird taking off

Cackle Hatchery® customers, especially first time buyers, ask a lot of questions about the behavior of chickens. Here are answers to 15 of the most common questions we answer about chicken behavior. Are chickens intelligent? Yes. Chickens are intelligent. Among other things, they learn quickly, they can do basic arithmetic, and they have good memories. […]

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17 Common Questions about Feeding Chickens

A group of backyard chickens eating a watermelon

Customers who contact Cackle Hatchery® frequently ask questions about feeding their flocks. Below are 17 of the most common questions our team is asked regarding feeding chickens. What do chickens eat? What chickens eat depends on their stage of growth. Confined chickens eat commercially formulated chick starter when they’re young and commercial layer ration when […]

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Protect Your Chickens from Infectious Coryza

A chicken suffering from Coryza

Infectious coryza is one of the most common bacterial diseases of backyard chickens. It is, in fact, the chicken version of the common cold. Avibacterium paragallinarum bacteria cause this respiratory disease. Like the common cold, infectious coryza is particularly prevalent in the fall and winter, especially in the southeastern and northeastern United States and in […]

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The Right Height for Chicken Nests

Hens in a nest

The general recommendation regarding the right height for chicken nests is 18 to 20 inches above the floor. But that’s not a hard and fast rule. The proper height depends on breed and age, and the hens’ ability to access the nests. Importance of Nest Height Nest boxes must be easy for the hens to […]

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Mice in the Chicken Coop

A mouse

Mice in the chicken coop can potentially spread diseases and parasites to the flock. And they will increase the cost of keeping chickens by eating that expensive chicken feed. One mouse can eat about one pound of chicken feed in one year. And think about this — mice reproduce fast! Each female mouse weans 30 […]

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