Longtail chickens require specialized treatment to maintain the beauty of their lavish tail feathers. Here are 7 ways the care and feeding of longtail roosters differs from that of other chicken breeds. 1. Plenty of Perches A lot of what we know about caring for longtail chickens comes from the traditional management of Onagadori roosters […]
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Like the males of 97 percent of all bird species, a rooster does not have a penis. An incubated egg that will become a rooster starts to develop a penis, but early in the second week of embryonic development, a cell death protein called Bmp4 cloaks the incipient penis, causing it to stop developing and […]
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It’s a problem every chicken keeper eventually faces: What to do with unwanted roosters. If you purchase chicks, or hatch your own, you’ll have this problem sooner rather than later. Even sexed chicks that are sold as pullets (young hens) almost invariably include one or more cockerels (young roosters). If you end up with more […]
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Have you ever wondered what makes a rooster crow? Well, some scientists Nagoya University have recently made it their mission to prove once and for all how all of this crowing business works, and it might not be what you think. One widely accepted belief is that roosters crow at the first sign of daylight; […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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Ameraucana chickens derive from blue-egg laying Chilean Araucanas. Chicken keepers enjoy this breed for their unusual blue-shell eggs. Ameraucanas are also popular for exhibition. With their small pea comb, tiny wattles, and fluffy feathers, they are especially winter hardy, and the hens lay well even in winter. What is an Ameraucana Chicken? Where Did Ameraucanas […]
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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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The definition of a standard chicken depends on the context. The term may refer to a large chicken compared to a bantam chicken. Or it may refer to a breed that conforms to its ideal description established by a central organization. Here is a detailed answer to the question, “What are standard chickens?” What is […]
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Testosterone is generally considered to be a male hormone. But hens also produce testosterone. In fact, without testosterone hens wouldn’t lay eggs. Here’s a short version of how testosterone works in chickens. Testosterone in Roosters The best known androgen steroid, testosterone is responsible for why a rooster crows but a hen doesn’t. Testosterone is also […]
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