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Do Chickens Need a Roost in Their Coop?

Chickens on a Roost

Chickens instinctively seek a high place to sleep at night. Without such a place to roost inside their coop, they may roost outdoors. Chickens that roost outdoors at night are vulnerable to both predators and adverse weather. Providing them with a comfortable place to roost inside the coop at night keeps them safer. What is […]

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Can Chickens Swim, Like a Duck?

Swimming chicken

Chickens can swim, and some actually enjoy it. Others, not so much. That’s because a chicken is not as well equipped for swimming as a duck. But most chickens will at least wade into water to cool themselves down on a hot summer day. If the water is deep enough, a chicken might even paddle […]

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Chickens and the Birth of the USA

Dominique chicken with American flags

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 […]

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Rooster-to-Hen Ratio — Why It Matters

Hamburg chickens

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 […]

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Celebrate Heritage Poultry Breeds

Heritage Buff Duck

Every year during the third week of May, we get to shine a spotlight on International Heritage Breeds Week. It’s all about raising awareness for those endangered old-school poultry breeds that are hanging on by a thread. Get creative—host a little event in your area, or just share some photos of your flock. The goal? […]

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A Chicken’s Egg Tooth—What Is It and What Is It For?

Photo of baby chick with egg tooth circled

A chicken’s egg tooth is a tiny horn-like projection at the tip of the upper beak of a newly hatched chick. Its purpose is to help the chick break through the shell at hatching time. Soon after the chick hatches, the egg tooth falls off. Domestic poultry and other birds share this trait in common […]

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