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Does a Chicken Lay an Egg Every Day?

basket of chicken eggs

Most backyard chickens do not lay an egg every day of the year. The average mature, healthy hen takes 25 to 26 hours to produce one egg. So a hen that lays at 6:00 in the morning today will likely lay between 7:00 and 8:00 tomorrow morning. Since a hen normally doesn’t lay after dark, […]

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Why You Should Join the American Bantam Association

Buff Orpington

The American Bantam Association (ABA) is an organization of bantam chicken enthusiasts who enjoy breeding and showing bantams, as well as socializing with other people who share their interest. Here’s why you should join the American Bantam Association: ABA History The non-profit American Bantam Association was founded in 1914 to support the poultry fancy, and […]

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How to Store Chicken Feed

Fresh versus moldy chicken feed

Properly stored chicken feed keeps the nutrients from degrading and the feed safe to eat. A number of things can cause feed to go bad including rodents, insects, mold, moisture, and light. To ensure freshness, use up feed within 2 to 4 months. Meanwhile, store chicken feed in a durable container with a tight-fitting lid. […]

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Heritage vs. Broad Breasted Turkeys

Bronze Turkey

Choosing between heritage vs. broad breast turkeys can be confusing. Although they both come from the same genetic background, they differ in many ways. The former can mate naturally, is slower growing, and smaller in size. The latter grow more quickly and weigh more, but breeding them requires artificial insemination. Plus, largely because of differences […]

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Pioneer Broiler

Pioneer Broiler

Pioneer Broiler – Sold as Baby Chicks Only – No Sexing Available

Minimums

Not Sexed = 3

Total of 3 birds to ship

Seasonal/Shipped Feb thru September

Ships on Wednesdays only

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Woody Breast in Homegrown Cornish Cross Broilers

Homegrown Cornish Cross Broiler Chicken from Cackle Hatchery

Woody breast, also called wooden breast, is a muscle condition in fast-growing Cornish Cross broilers that makes the breast meat tough and fibrous like wood. It’s safe to eat but the meat quality suffers, which can be mitigated by the cooking method. The main cause is rapid growth leading to poor oxygen supply in the […]

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Stress-Free Poultry Exhibiting: A Book Review

Prize-winning exhibitor showing off her trophy and show chicken

Exhibiting poultry can be 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 […]

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How to Identify and Prevent Chicken Bullying

Picture of backyard chickens looking down at a camera

Chickens are endlessly entertaining. Many flock owners consider chicken watching to be therapeutic after a hectic day. But chicken bullying can spoil the fun for both you and your chickens. Here’s how to identify and prevent chicken bullying. What is chicken bullying? Chicken bullying occurs when one or a few chickens pick on, peck at, […]

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How to Train Hens to Lay in a Nest, Not on the Floor

Photo of a hen sitting on her nest

Train your hens to use a nest box when they first start producing eggs and they are less likely to lay eggs on the coop floor. Once they start laying on the floor, getting them to stop can be difficult. Here’s how to train your hens to lay eggs in a nest, not on the […]

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When Is the Best Time to Gather Chicken Eggs?

Fresh eggs gathered in a wire basket from backyard chickens

The best time to gather chicken eggs is when they are fresh. Collecting eggs when they are fresh has these purposes:• Minimize loss due to soiling or cracking. • Maintain the best flavor and texture. • Ensure safety for eating. • Maximize storage life. What time of day do chickens lay eggs? A hen’s laying […]

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