Chickens need a constant supply of fresh clean water in order to remain healthy and lay well. An easy and inexpensive way to ensure they remain hydrated is to water the chickens from a bowl. But should you water chickens from a bowl? Let’s look at why it’s not such a great idea as a […]
Chickens, and people, commonly carry Salmonella bacteria in their intestines, but don’t necessarily get sick. Chickens shed the bacteria in their poop, which — you know if you have chickens — ends up everywhere chickens go. Bacteria that enter your mouth can result in a common intestinal infection (salmonellosis). You can easily avoid this infection by not […]
The United States was officially founded as a nation on July 4, 1776, when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. Although residents of the new country had plenty of chickens, many of the breeds we know today didn’t exist then. So let’s take a look at the chickens that were here at the […]
The handsome and robust Aseel chicken is known for being friendly with humans but aggressive toward other chickens, including other Aseels. The hens, although not especially prolific layers, are excellent broodies and fiercely protective mothers. This slow growing breed is especially flavorful when raised for meat. Aseel chickens are hardy, heat tolerant, and super active […]
Chicken keepers who overlook the importance of the rooster-to-hen ratio may wonder why their flocks experience problems. Too many roosters lead to fighting, stressed and over-mated hens, lower egg production, and poor fertility. Surprisingly, too few roosters create some of the same issues. Let’s look at why getting this balance right matters so much. The […]
What is the number one cause of death in backyard chickens? If you said “disease,” you’d be wrong. The primary cause of death in chickens is predation. Let’s take a closer look at this problem. How common is predation? Even the number one cause of death in chickens isn’t overall that common, according to a 2014 […]
Mud balls are dark, hard lumps clinging to a chicken’s toes and sometimes the shanks. Some mud balls consist of mostly chicken poop. Others consist mostly of mud. In either case, more poop, mud, and other debris adds to the accumulation. Before long the poor chicken is trying to walk with sizable cement-hard balls clinging […]
Chickens that otherwise get enough to eat typically won’t eat anything that’s bad for them. Or at least they are unlikely to eat enough to make them sick. And feeding kitchen scraps can be a nutritious way to add variety to your chickens’ diet. But feed scraps only in moderation, and avoid feeding these four […]
Spooky looking Zombie chickens have pale plumage over dark legs, skin, beak, comb, wattles, and eyes. Because of this coloration, the chickens appear to be undead. However, they are very much alive. They are also prolific layers and fun to include in the backyard flock. What makes a Zombie chicken? The Zombie chicken is a hybrid cross […]