Author: Justin Shelton

A few natural, healthy snacks will keep them entertained and provide benefits such as extra calories and a boost to the immune system. Dark, leafy greens like spinach and kale are ideal, and something warm like split pea soup is a great winter chicken treat, provided it’s natural and low in salt. What should I […]

Chicken feed should be stored in a cool, dry location and protected from wildlife. Chicken feed should be stored in a cool, dry location and protected from wildlife. How long does chicken feed last in storage? If properly kept, your pelleted feed should store for a minimum of three months, and if conditions are well-regulated, […]

Plymouth Rocks. Production breeds like ISA Browns live the shortest, while heritage breeds like Plymouth Rocks tend to live the longest. However there are a variety of factors that may affect your chickens’ lifespan such as their diet, genetics, access to veterinary care and disease. Can a chicken live 20 years? A: Pet chickens that […]

Just before they start laying, your pullets will start squatting when you approach them. This is a submissive posture they take, usually for a rooster or dominant hen, or you as the alpha hen. You can expect eggs very soon after they start squatting. Do chickens act different before they lay eggs? The pre-laying behavior […]

around 6 weeks. Although it varies, chicks should stay in a brooder for around 6 weeks or until they develop adult feathers. Once the chicks are 3 or 4 weeks old, they can be allowed to leave the brooder during warm weather. When can baby chickens go outside? around 6-10 weeks oldOnce chicks are fully […]

How to Collect Eggs. Ideally, wait until the hens leave their laying spots to collect eggs. They’ll typically be happy to hop off the nest if food is involved, so collecting eggs right after feeding can be a good strategy. Gather eggs in a basket, a cloth sling, or any other container that won’t put […]

The pineal gland sits above her midbrain behind her eyes, and allows a chicken to sense daylight as well as the changing seasons. So as the day draws to a close, and it starts to get dark, the hens already sense that it is time to go home – to the warmth and safety of […]

Not returning to the roost to sleep is more common among younger chicks, or newly introduced flock members. This is because they may not yet be aware of where they are suppose to sleep, are struggling to get back into the coop, or they wish to sleep away from the older birds. Can chickens sleep […]

If the weather is very warm, the chicken can air-dry; otherwise, dry the bird with a hair dryer on low heat. Leave the wet bird partially wrapped in a towel with its wings loosely secured to its back while turning on the hair dryer. Is it OK to bath a chicken? Generally speaking, no. Chickens […]

14-16 hours. DO shoot for 14-16 hours of light each day, for best results. Anything less than 14 hours will mean fewer eggs. Anything more than around 16-17 hours may stress out the birds and cause them stop laying altogether. DON’T add the extra hours at night. Should my chicken coop have a light? light […]

How Do You Stop a Broody Hen? You can stop a broody hen by removing her from her nest, using a frozen water bottle, removing nesting material, separating her in a cage, or just giving her some fertile eggs to sit on. How do you make a chicken stop being broody? How to Break a […]

Female chickens lay eggs throughout their adult lives. Egg-laying is automatic and requires no male chickens or roosters to be present. Certain breeds of hens can lay one egg every 25 hours at the peak of their production. How long do chickens live after laying eggs? As hens age they will naturally start laying fewer […]

Hens will slow down or stop laying eggs when they are stressed, sick, have feed problems, lack of water, have changes in daylight, molting, or going broody. Many of these causes can be easily fixed to get your chickens laying again. What causes chickens to slow down laying eggs? Daylight The first and most common […]

As the hours of daylight decrease in the fall, hens tend to stop laying eggs. However, if you keep the chickens comfy with light and warmth, they’ll reward you with more eggs. Many hens stop or slow down egg production during the fall and winter. The lack of daylight and cooler temperatures tell their bodies […]

Use a fan to cool your chicken coop Installing a fan in your chicken run will also help reduce moisture and ammonia levels by providing additional ventilation. Some fans, like the one pictured, will automatically turn on when the temperature reaches a certain level. Should a chicken coop have a fan? Chicken coops do need […]

2. Another option is to use your chickens as meat chickens instead of egg-layers. Year-old hens usually aren’t tender enough to roast and older hens tend to have tough meat, so if you choose to go this route, prepare for a lot of chicken stew. The more humane approach is to give them the winter […]

Chickens do lie in the sun and they enjoy doing it too, they do this because the ground is warm and they can spread out their body and wings to soak in as much warmth as possible. Why do chickens lay on their side in the sun? Chickens will typically lay on their sides to […]

Yes, apple cider vinegar works as a great marinade for chicken. It is a potent acid and helps tenderize the meat and infuse flavors. As an added bonus, it is very healthy in itself too. You can marinate chicken in apple cider vinegar from 1 hour to up to 48 hours. How long should you […]

The short answer to this question is: Yes! Apple cider vinegar is safe for chickens as long as it’s used in moderation. Most chicken keepers who add this acidic supplement to their hens’ diets only use a tiny bit at a time, which is enough to provide the extra level of wellness support they’re looking […]

The fungus thrives in damp soil that’s rich in organic material, especially the droppings from birds and bats. It’s particularly common in chicken and pigeon coops, old barns, caves, and parks. Histoplasmosis isn’t contagious, so it can’t be spread from person to person. Does all bird poop have histoplasmosis? Fresh bird droppings have not been […]