Author: Lorraine Wade

Campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter spp.) Campylobacter are bacteria that can make people and animals sick with a disease called campylobacteriosis. How it spreads: Campylobacter most often spread to animals and people through the feces (poop) of infected animals, contaminated food, or the environment. Can humans get sick from chickens? Salmonella or Campylobacter infections are the most commonly […]

To answer simply, the maximum cost to raise chickens in your backyard will be about $69/month, for a flock of 5 hens, kept for 5 years. This includes the birds, feed, bedding, a brand-new high-quality coop, and miscellaneous costs like medicine, pest control, and feeders and waterers. Is it cheaper to buy eggs or raise […]

How Many Chickens Do I Need For A Family Of 6? If you have 5-8 chickens, you’ll have all you need to feed a family of 6. On average, 5 chickens will lay 23 eggs per week, while 8 chickens will produce 38 eggs. This gives you a range of 4-5 eggs per week per […]

So, how long can chickens go without food? Chickens can generally last about 4 days without food, but this should be considered an absolute maximum. Instead, they should eat continuously throughout the day, every day, if you want your flock in optimal health and if you are seeking maximal egg production. Can chickens go a […]

14-16 hours. 1. Decreased daylight — The reproductive cycle of a chicken is stimulated by light, and chickens need 14-16 hours of light each day to maintain peak egg production. How many hours of light should a chicken have? But darkness is the main reason production begins to slow in late fall. Research shows that […]

It is natural instinct for your chickens to want to roost up high (because they are descendants of wild birds which sleep in trees), so providing them with a suitably positioned roost will allow them to feel safe and protected while they sleep-a critical part of their daily activities! What do chickens like to sleep […]

It will take generally 3 to 7 days for clinical signs to appear in chickens, post ingestion of the poison. Initial signs are related to internal bleeding so they are often vague, and may include weakness, lethargy, and decrease or loss in appetite. The chicken may also be found dead, without clinical signs developing. Is […]

10 Ways to Spoil Your Chickens Add a Mirror in Their Run. A fun and unusual way to entertain your chickens is by incorporating a mirror into their chicken run. Make a Chicken Swing. Set up Extra Perches. Give Them Straw. Create Veggie Pinatas. Invent a New Recipe. Change Things Around. Clean Their Coop. How […]

Mirrors: Adding reflective objects to the coop will entertain chickens as they watch or chase the dancing lights or interact with their own reflections. Hanging old CDs or small mirrors out of chickens’ reach is a good option, or mount a sturdy mirror to a pole or post where they can see it. Can chickens […]

These behaviours include nesting, foraging, ground scratching, perching, and dust bathing. Sufficient space, perches, litter, nest boxes, and a varied environment give hens the freedom to exercise and carry out normal behaviours. The expression of these behaviours leads to better health and welfare. What is normal chicken behavior? Chickens have a rigid social structure called […]

10 Cheap Chicken Feed Ideas For Feeding Your Flock On A Budget Let Your Chickens Free Range. This is my favorite cheap chicken feed option. Sprouted Seeds Or Fodder. Fermented Seeds. Deer Corn When It’s In Season. Kitchen Scraps. Leftover Eggs. Sunflower Seeds. Bugs And Grubs. How do you feed chickens for free? 40 Ways […]

They can spend all day outside if temperatures stay within the right range for their ages. But remember that even if it’s warm enough, wind and water will chill a chick. The more chicks are in the flock, the more they can huddle for warmth and you don’t have to rush them inside as fast. […]

Your hens might avoid the boxes altogether because it’s too stressful. Having plenty of nesting boxes also prevents bullying. If you have a dominant hen, she might stop other hens from laying in “her” box. Then, the other hens start laying in undesirable areas. How do I get my chickens to lay in their nesting […]

8 Tips To Help Your Chickens Lay More Eggs Quality Feed. You don’t have to go crazy with some cutting-edge feed that’s guaranteed to make your chickens produce eggs the size of a garden gnome. Clean Nests Boxes. Open Areas. Calcium. Inspect Regularly. Coop Security. Fresh Water. Parasite Control. What can you give chickens to […]

Mix up equal parts white vinegar and water in a bucket OR just slosh straight vinegar onto your wet floor. I preferred the sloshing method personally. Take your broom or brush and give everything a vigorous scrubbing, making sure to distribute the vinegar solution as thoroughly as possible. Is dirt OK for chicken coop floor? […]

Overview. HistoplasmosisHistoplasmosisHistoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum. Symptoms of this infection vary greatly, but the disease affects primarily the lungs. Occasionally, other organs are affected; called disseminated histoplasmosis, it can be fatal if left untreated.https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Histoplasmosis What happens if you breathe in chicken dust? Toxins: Endotoxins, which come from […]

But chickens don’t like to walk on snow, ice or muddy ground, so some outdoor perches will help to entice them outside. What is this? Branches, benches, swings, pallets and even straw spread on the ground can all encourage your girls to step foot outside on even the coldest of days. What is the best […]