People enjoy keeping chickens for many different reasons. Some chicken keepers simply have a passion for poultry. Others focus on the benefits chickens provide. In no particular order, here are 30 reasons to love chickens: Chicks grow fast. Chicks grow quickly from chickhood to maturity. In less than a year your new flock will settle […]
Most bantam breeds are smaller versions of a larger counterpart. True bantams, on the other hand, are naturally small chickens. Rather than having been selectively bred for size, many of the true bantam chicken breeds existed long before the development of most of the other chicken breeds we know today. Difference between bantams and true […]
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 […]
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 […]
Waiting for a chicken to start laying eggs can seem like an eternity. The blessed event may take anywhere from four months to eight months, depending on the chicken’s breed. However, as a hen approaches laying age, she begins to show certain signs that will tell you eggs are on the way. Here’s a guide […]
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, […]
An amazing characteristic of Phoenix chickens is their exceptionally long and multiple tail feathers. Even the hens have more tail feathers than most other chickens. The Phoenix was developed from the Onagadori, a breed from Japan that has a non-molting gene. Despite its exceptionally long tail, the Phoenix lacks the non-molting gene and therefore molts […]
Chantecler chickens are a heritage dual-purpose breed suitable for the backyard production of both meat and eggs. They are also popular for exhibition. It is the only chicken breed originating in Canada. The breed is able to withstand bitter cold weather while continuing to lay well. What is a Chantecler chicken? A Chantecler chicken has […]