Author: Gerardo Gonzalez

It is unusual for hens to lay two eggs a day since almost all chicken breeds lay a single egg in a day on average. Young hens can, however, lay more than two eggs a day, as these young hens are maturing and they have loads of energy. Why are my chickens laying 2 eggs […]

Before They’re Killed Each year in the U.S. alone, more than 300 million chickens endure nightmarish abuse on egg farms, and it all begins on the very first day of their life. Chicks bred for egg production are hatched in large incubators, and males and females are separated almost immediately. Are eggs cruel to chickens? […]

Did you know it’s possible to raise free ranged chickens without commercial chicken feed? That’s right! Commercial feed is not necessary for healthy, happy chickens. As a matter of fact, most homesteads offer their flocks very little feed, if any; it’s usually reserved for the colder months if they do. Do I have to feed […]

Female chickens sometimes announce when they lay an egg and this has become known as the eggs song. They don’t all make a noise after laying an egg and some breeds tend to sing more than others. Do chickens sing before they lay eggs? (Though I’ve read there is something more jarring and irritating about […]

It is done both ways. My personal preference is to keep feeders and waterers inside, if the coop is large enough to allow it. The reason is that outdoor food can get rained on, and wet food can mold. Do you put food and water in chicken coop at night? Chickens do not typically need […]

The most obvious symptom you’ll see is a yellowish-white discharge from the vent area which sticks to the feathers on the rear end (gross – we know!). Your bird may also have a bloated abdomen and gassiness, feathers that appear less shiny than usual, and if a female, a decrease in her usual egg laying […]

Dirty bottoms on your chickens mean that there is either an infection or a digestive problem going on and that your chickens have diarrhoea or a discharge that is getting matted into the feathers. Diarrhoea in chickens is second only to respiratory disease as the most common causes of illness in chickens. Why does my […]

Chickens live eight years on average, but hens only productively lay eggs in the first two, maybe three years of their lives. And on the commercial level, it’s closer to two years, and sometimes less. When hens are productively laying eggs, they’ll lay one egg about every 22 hours. How many years will a chicken […]

Yes, a chicken run should be covered. While a designated roof is seen as optional, some form of covering is not. You need to consider that chickens can escape and get up over top. Even if the run is 4-foot high, this is even low enough for them to get over. Do I need a […]

Roosters anticipate sunrise to get a head start on their daily hunt for food and defense of territory. But if one rooster in the neighbor has an internal clock that’s set a little early, he can stimulate other roosters to crow early, too. The rooster’s sunrise song is actually a way of establishing his territory. […]

In order to consistently lay eggs, hens need about 16 hours of daylight and 8 hours of darkness when they’re roosting. Once less than 12 hours of daylight is available, egg productions slows down considerably if not ceases completely. Can chickens lay eggs without sunlight? Hens need a minimum of 16 hours of daylight to […]

Small birds may poop every 10 minutes or so, and large birds, like chickens, would do it less frequently. The advantage of not having a well-controlled sphincter for a bird means that you don’t have to decide to poop while in flight, which keeps you light—a big advantage for flight efficiency. Do chickens poop and […]

The most basic option for cleaning your chook coop is a mixture of vinegar and water-either ACV or white vinegar will work. Simply mix about 15ml of vinegar with water in a spray bottle. Spray on and wipe off with a damp rag or sponge and voila… clean, fresh smelling coop! What can I use […]

Fecal extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli from chickens may infect humans and poultry, causing severe disease and significant economic losses. A study recently published in PLoS ONE reported the virulence of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) from healthy chickens. What disease can you get from chicken poop? Campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter spp.) Campylobacter are bacteria that can make […]

White wine vinegar is best for chicken and fish dishes and can be used in a pickling brine. Champagne vinegar is the lightest in flavor. It is good for dressing lighter foods like pale greens, chicken, and fish. What vinegar does to chicken? The vinegar removes all the gooey, fatty residue from chicken skin so […]

People can get sick from salmonella by touching live poultry or their environment. Birds that carry the bacteria can appear healthy and clean, the CDC said. You should always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching live poultry or anything in their environment. Can I get salmonella from touching a chicken? […]

Humans do not catch Salmonella from chicks or chickens the way you would catch a cold from your neighbor. Salmonellosis is food poisoning; you get it from eating infected meat or eggs. Can you get Salmonella from a healthy chicken? Backyard poultry, like chicken and ducks, can carry Salmonella germs even if they look healthy […]

Lawn fertilizer isn’t safe for chickens if it’s synthetic, but organic lawn fertilizer can be safe for chickens. As long as it’s made of all-natural ingredients, it’s fine for them. Never use herbicides or pesticides near your chickens. How do you give grass to chickens? So, if you want to treat your hens, allow only […]

Here are some tips for keeping your yard in tact while still enjoying your backyard flock. Avoid Pollution. A small flock of backyard chickens love to eat grass, but it’s impossible for them to eat an entire yard of it. Respect The Limits Of Your Space. Let Grass Grow. What is the best thing to […]

Not only do chickens love a good dust bath, but they also love to do it with the rest of the flock. If one hen starts scratching, wriggling and flapping in the dirt, she will most likely be quickly joined by other hens in the bathing session. Not only do they bathe for hygiene, but […]