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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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Standard Chicken versus Bantam, What’s the Difference?

Two chickens in a yard

What’s the difference between a standard chicken versus a bantam chicken? To understand the difference, let’s look at what a standard chicken is and what a bantam is. Standard Chicken The word “standard” when applied to chickens can be confusing. In some contexts it means that the breed has been standardized by the American Poultry […]

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Silkie Bantam Chickens in the Breed Spotlight

A White Silkie Hens sitting next to a cat

The details of exactly when and how Silkie bantam chickens came into being have been lost in the mists of time. The breed was first mentioned by Marco Polo, who wrote about “chickens with fur-like feathers and black skin” in his 13th century report of his explorations in Asia. Most likely Silkie chickens existed long […]

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The Coronavirus Pandemic Is Renewing Interest in Raising Backyard Chickens

The Coronavirus Pandemic is Renewing Interest in Backyard Chickens

The coronavirus pandemic has shut down businesses, closed schools, and disrupted supply chains. It has also led to a dramatic increase in chick sales.    “We are totally swamped,” says Jeff Smith of Cackle Hatchery. “It’s a little overwhelming.”    Indeed, at Cackle Hatchery alone, sales have doubled over the previous year as more and […]

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Rutgers Outreach Program Brings Chickens to Suburbs in NJ

Rutgers Outreach Program Brings Chickens to Suburbs in NJ

As concerns about the ethical implications of factory farming operations have come to the forefront of society’s consciousness, more and more Americans are becoming interested in producing their own food in order to free themselves from reliance on store-bought alternatives. In an effort to educate suburbanites about the viability of backyard farming operations, Rutgers has […]

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