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6 Forms of Cannibalism in Chickens

young chick

Cannibalism is the disagreeable habit chickens have of pecking one another until they draw blood. And then pecking some more. Chickens may engage in any one of six forms of cannibalism, varying by age and gender. Toe Picking — Chicks Toe picking is a common problem among chicks. It can occur in a brooder where […]

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Barred Plymouth Rock Exhibition Type

Barred Rock Exhibition Type Rooster

Barred Plymouth Rock (Exhibition Type) – Sold as Baby Chicks Only

 Minimums – Not Sexed = 3
                                  Female = 3
                                  Male = 1
Seasonal/Shipped Feb thru September
Maximum of 5
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Hen Feather Loss Caused by Rooster Treading

Hen Mating Saddle

A rooster intent on mating a hen grabs the feathers on her head with his beak while he attempts to stand on her back. To get a good grip, he braces his claws against her shoulders. More often than not, his feet slide on her smooth feathers and — to get better balanced — he […]

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10 Ways to Reduce Peck Order Stress in Chickens

Chicken Peck Order

The pecking order governs the social organization of a flock of chickens, thereby reducing tension and stress in an established flock. Starting in the brooder, chicks spar almost from the day they hatch. By the time they are about six weeks old, each has established its place in the pecking order. In general, roosters are […]

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Mini Glossary of Chicken Terminology

Chicken Wattles

One of the great benefits of keeping chickens is that it gives you an opportunity to expand your vocabulary. The world of chicken keeping is full of odd or potentially confusing words and phrases, like those in this mini glossary of chicken terminology. Bloom: The moist, protective coating on a freshly laid egg that dries […]

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4 Ways to Tell Male and Female Chicks Apart

Four traditional methods are used to tell male and female chicks apart. Which method is most appropriate for any specific batch of chicks depends on their breed and variety, their age, and the skill of the observer. Vent Sexing Vent sexing, also called cloacal sexing, is a method of determining a hatchling’s gender by examining […]

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What to Do with Wooden and Ceramic Eggs

What to Do with Wooden and Ceramic Eggs

Wooden and ceramic eggs have lots of uses, ranging from enouraging hens to lay in the nests you provide, to creating stunning home decorations, to keeping kids busy with fun and educational activities. Here are just some of the countless things people do with wooden and ceramic eggs: Nest Eggs A “nest egg” is a […]

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The COVID-19 Pandemic Triggers a Run on Chickens

Baby Chicks

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a run on chickens, causing people to ponder the age-old question: Which came first, the chicken or the egg?   The Columbia Missourian votes for eggs: “Panic-buying the eggs came before panic-buying the chickens this year, though people have been doing both.”   But Newsweek opts for chickens, saying, “Many […]

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