Author: Gerardo Gonzalez

Virulent Newcastle disease, formerly known as exotic Newcastle disease, is a contagious and fatal viral disease affecting the respiratory, nervous and digestive systems of birds and poultry. The disease is so virulent that many birds and poultry die without showing any clinical signs. What are the symptoms of Newcastle disease in chickens? Newcastle disease only […]

As a rule of thumb, chickens will drink two or three times as much water as the feed they eat, so figure on about two cups (one pint) of water per chicken per day, although during the summer, their feed intake will decrease while water intake will remain the same or increase. How often do […]

No dunking, misting or spraying down your chickens. No letting them “swim” in your pool. Chickens don’t take water baths. They cool off by holding their wings out from their bodies and fluffing their feathers to allow air to circulate. Is it OK to mist chickens? The misters can often do more harm than good, […]

“There are lots of assertive flavors and fatty richness. You need a beer that plays well, not something that’s going to fight the chicken.” Beer is well suited to tackling fried chicken; its bitterness and carbonation help refresh the palate between bites of chicken much like an acidic wine would. What happens when chicken drink […]

Roberts, the chef and owner of the Twin Palm restaurants in Pasadena and Newport Beach, Calif., writes: ”Soaking chicken in salt water gives you a juicier bird. This is why kosher chickens, which are brined before you buy them, often taste better than other chickens. How is kosher chicken different? The main difference between kosher […]

Many have said that uncooked rice is fatal for chickens. Supposedly, chicken consumption of uncooked rice would make them explode and would ultimately lead to their death. Do chickens explode when they eat rice? Fact is, rice cooked or uncooked won’t hurt wild birds at all. The rumor is that uncooked rice hits the bird’s […]

Here are some of our favourite treats to help you boost the protein in your chickens’ diet: Dried Mealworms. At 53 % protein, Dried Mealworms are by far our chooks’ favourite protein-rich treat. Dried Soldier Fly Larvae. Insects. Seeds. Non-medicated chick starter. Sprouts. Worms. Eggs. Where do chickens get protein from? Chickens receive the protein […]

Chicken coops don’t need to have sun, but chickens do need exposure to sunlight to remain healthy and happy. They can get this exposure in their runs. How long can chickens be in the sun? In order to consistently lay eggs, hens need about 16 hours of daylight and 8 hours of darkness when they’re […]

If it’s too hot outside your chickens could be in danger of heat stroke or heat stress. Too much heat can even be lethal for your birds. You can tell your birds are hot by how they’re acting. Chickens coping with heat will pant, hold out their wings, and even decrease egg production. What temp […]

Feed consisted of grain (corn mostly) which the farmer gave grudgingly and what the flock could pick from free range around the homestead… There were no brooder houses and no brooders… No poultry feed had ever been sold. What did they feed chickens in the old days? In addition to green food, turn-of-the-century chickens ate […]

In order to consistently lay eggs, hens need about 16 hours of daylight and 8 hours of darkness when they’re roosting. Do chickens lay better in the dark? In fact, your chickens require 6 to 8 hours of sleep every day in order to maintain their immune system. So just as much as they need […]

While you won’t be able to tell the exact age of an old hen, you’ll know she’s past her prime as the colors in her legs, beak and wattles progressively fade with age. A hen near the end of her life will have legs that are pale beige. Rooster hormones begin to wane about the […]

If properly kept, your pelleted feed should store for a minimum of three months, and if conditions are well-regulated, up to six months. Steel and plastic barrels are good options for feed storage, but be aware that non-food-grade steel barrels may react with your feed. Does chicken feed spoil? Most chicken feed lasts around three […]

26 Cheap Chicken Feed That Won’t Break Your Wallet, yet Still High in Nutrients Fodder. Fodder is nothing more than soaking and sprouting seeds. Weeds and Lawn Clippings. Yard clippings are great chicken food. Hearty Greens and Root Vegetables. Deer Corn. Kitchen Scraps. Garden Leftovers. Their Own Egg Shells. Sunflowers. How do I make cheap […]

Yes, the banana leaf is also safe for consumption. However, like the peels, it might not suit their taste buds. You can let your chickens have some to see if they’d like it. Additionally, you might be surprised, but chickens can also eat banana stems and trunks! Is banana trunk good for chicken? It also […]

Yes, chickens can get food poisoning. Chickens can even get botulism. Luckily, botulism in chickens is easy to prevent with a few simple steps. How do I know if my chicken has food poisoning? The main symptoms include: feeling sick (nausea) vomiting. diarrhoea, which may contain blood or mucus. stomach cramps and abdominal pain. a […]

Marans. Marans are best known for their beautiful, dark brown eggs — the darkest brown of any chicken egg. Those that want a colorful egg basket usually seek out this breed. Which Marans lay the darkest eggs? Black Copper MaransThe Black Copper Marans, the most common color variation, are almost all black, with a touch […]

A dying chicken will hide their weakness as long as possible. So the first sign we typically notice is withdrawal from the flock and napping more than usual. During this time she will taper off eating. If you feel their body under their feathers, you’ll notice lost weight. What does a chicken do before it […]

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 chicken stop laying eggs? […]

It’s possible for a bird to be deprived of water and not be completely dehydrated. This still has lasting effects on the bird’s health. Laying hens deprived of water for a day or more can take weeks to recover. Going without sufficient water for three days or more can result in a permanent state of […]