Author: Elvira Bowen

When a chicken puffed up and tucks in like that, they’re trying to stay warm. The act of ‘puffing’ their feathers out helps trap air in their feathers, which helps insulate them and keep them warmer. How do you know a chicken is dying? These signs can include decreased eating, decreased drinking, a decrease in […]

Chickens also are great for controlling pests, especially in the garden. Not only do they love grasshoppers, they are excellent at defending a homestead from scorpions, termites, mice, flies and June bugs. Chickens, in turn, provide fertilizer, fresh eggs, meat and entertainment. Can you use pesticides around chickens? Keep your poultry and their coop free […]

Rotten And Moldy Food Should Be Tossed In The Garbage Your chickens should also stay away from maggots that have eaten rotting material. The chickens will go wild for maggots, but if the maggot guts are full of rotten food, they can carry botulism as well. Can chickens get sick from spoiled food? No, your […]

Chickens pass gas for the same reason that we do: They have pockets of air trapped inside their intestines. This air has to come out one way or another, and it usually picks the most reliable exit. Chickens can also burp, so that air has at least one other escape route available. What animals Cannot […]

Anyone keeping chickens, ducks or geese can’t let them roam free following new Government restrictions. New housing measures for anyone keeping poultry, such as chickens, ducks and geese, comes into come into force in England, Scotland and Wales today (Monday 14th December) following an outbreak of Avian Flu. Can I let my chickens out 2022 […]

Nonetheless, it is unusual for chickens to make noise at night because of laying, since hens usually lay in the early hours of the day when light sets in. Chickens can make noise if one of the flock members disturbs the flock. What happens to chickens at night? In the wild chickens will roost on […]

Flea bites look like small red dots. These spots often occur in two to three groups or clusters with redness around them and sometimes a light halo. How do you tell if a bite is from a flea? How can you tell if it’s a flea bite? Flea bites are slightly more unique than other […]

Salmonella or Campylobacter infections are the most commonly reported infections associated with backyard chickens and live poultry. Chickens and poultry can carry Salmonella in their intestines without showing symptoms of illness. What diseases can chickens transmit to humans? Zoonotic diseases that backyard poultry may spread to humans include salmonel- losis, campylobacteriosis, and avian influenza viruses. […]

To improve the quality and prolong the length of chickens’ lives, they should be fed their own eggs, including the shells, so that they can gain back the nutrients they lose by laying eggs so often. What happens if you feed chickens eggs? Eggs are a good source of protein not only for humans but […]

Dogs eating chicken poop may gross you out, but it’s not toxic to them. However, that doesn’t mean you can simply let them eat feces all they want. In fact, dogs can get sick from it – not because of the chicken poop itself but from the pathogens and parasites that may exist in the […]

Use a low pressure sprayer to totally soak all surfaces. Soak until the accumulated dirt and manure has softened to the point it is easily removed. Wash every surface in the building, especially window sills, ceiling trusses, wall sills and any surface where dirt and dust may accumulate. Do chicken coops need to be cleaned? […]

Provide Proper Temperature for Chicks’ Age. If a chick is not warm enough, it will let you know by a constant, distressed and loud chirping. Check to make sure that you are providing your chicks the proper temperature. A chick that is too cold may chirp loudly and try huddling together with other chicks. Why […]

Skeletal size has some impact on egg size. Hens with bigger and longer bones tend to become bigger hens and lay bigger eggs. The protein level in the ration fed before 10 weeks of age is the main factor influencing skeletal size of any particular breed of hen. Can chicken eggs be too big? It […]

Before laying, a hen shows restlessness and begins to look for a nest, poking her head into the nest boxes provided. Between nest examinations, she typically resumes other behavior she had been performing—eating, preening, sleeping, and so on. How do you know a chicken is about to lay an egg? Are your pullets ready to […]

You should never consume chicken that’s been left out overnight. If cooked meat is left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, it’s no longer safe to eat. To avoid disappointment, remember to refrigerate all leftovers within 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperature outside exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Can I leave my […]

The pre-laying behavior of domestic chickens is similar for most hens. Before laying, a hen shows restlessness and begins to look for a nest, poking her head into the nest boxes provided. Between nest examinations, she typically resumes other behavior she had been performing—eating, preening, sleeping, and so on. How can you tell if a […]

While there are some things you can do to help keep egg production going all year round, it’s perfectly normal for hens to slow down or stop laying eggs during the winter months. Before you know it, spring will arrive, and with it, longer days and a return to laying eggs. How do I get […]

Another super easy DIY chicken toy is made with an old corkscrew and some twine. This one works best with whole veggies like a whole apple or head of cabbage. Just twist the corkscrew into the veggie or fruit tie a piece of twine around it and hang it in your coop. Easy for you, […]

3 weeks old. Therefore, consider mealworms as a tasty treat that your flock gets in moderation. Baby chicks can also eat mealworms, though it is best for you to wait until they reach 3 weeks old. Before that, their digestive system won’t be able to handle the protein and fat content. Is it OK to […]

Hens may live in backyard flocks for 6-8 years, and most flocks will produce eggs for 3-4 years. The level of egg production, egg size, and shell quality decrease each year. Most commercial layers are kept for 2-3 years as their egg production decreases after this time. At what age do chickens stop laying eggs? […]