Author: Lorraine Wade

Birds can be trained to control their bowel movements and hold their waste; but unlike domesticated animals that can be potty-trained such as dogs, birds have to go so frequently that rigid potty-training can result in them hurting themselves by holding their waste. Can a chicken control when it poops? In it, the authors speculate […]

Can chickens stay in the run at night? If your run is completely secure then you can leave the hens in the run overnight. All my hens are free ranged from dawn to dusk and I shut them in the coop securely at night. The trouble with having hens on display is it might help […]

Chickens will naturally attract a small number of insects to their pens which are drawn to both their food and droppings. There will be some flies and other flying insects and the occasional odors. For this reason – you don’t want to place the chicken house directly next to your house. How close to the […]

Virkon S disinfectant is the choice of many veterinarians and poultry producers. It is safe for chickens and has no withholding period. Adding a quick disinfectant spray to your usual cleaning routine is all it takes to kill potential illnesses. What disinfectant can I use of chicken coop? Use a natural cleaning agent like vinegar […]

Yes weeds! Weeds are free, easy to pick and the chickens love them. Most common yard weeds are perfectly safe for chickens to eat, as long as they haven’t been sprayed with any fertilizer, pesticide or herbicide, so feel free to pick a handful and toss them into your run. Is it okay for chickens […]

Remember that you should not feed chicken to a chicken. This increases the risk of chicken-only diseases and is illegal in most areas. That said, no one will know if you give chickens some scraps of leftover chicken. They will simply peck off and eat the soft tissues, fat, skin, and meat if you do […]

For laying birds, like what most backyard chicken keepers raise, higher protein only becomes necessary during times of molt. Too much overall protein in a chicken’s diet could lead to kidney failure, so it’s best to stay within recommended protein levels for your birds. Is high-protein good for chickens? It’s important to understand that chickens […]

The hen house must have good ventilation, be draft-free, and have an enclosed nesting area with a soft floor. Hen houses require regular cleaning and this should be considered during design and construction of the coop such as building it from non-porous material so that all surfaces can be easily cleaned. What are the conditions […]

Sleeping Habits Like most birds, chickens sleep whenever it is dark and will wake as soon as the morning grows light enough for them to start their daily routine. Do chickens really sleep? Chickens sleep for around eight hours on average. Chickens will enter the coop when sunset approaches and start sleeping immediately after darkness […]

All bird keepers must make sure their animals, including ducks, turkeys and chickens, are kept indoors from today following a rapid rise in bird flu cases. Can chickens be let out now 2022 UK? The mandatory housing measures which were in place across the UK since 29 November 2021 were lifted on Monday 2 May […]

SMELLEZE Natural Chicken Coop Smell Eliminating Granules are a safe and effective way to remove stinky odors from chicken droppings and urine. The powerful granules neutralize ammonia and other smells in your flock’s coop, yard, and run to create a better environment. How do you neutralize the smell of chicken poop? Sprinkle some Diatomaceous Earth […]

Polish hens make unique noises and they tend to be noisy at all times but particularly if they are angry. These birds are known for their bouffant crest of feathers, and while this is a gorgeous feature, the birds can act erratically since their line of vision is obstructed. What breed of chicken is the […]

Regardless of the reason for bringing poultry inside your home, it puts you, your family, and anyone who visits your home at risk for Salmonella infection. Chicken diapers aren’t enough to contain Salmonella germs. Poultry feathers and feet can have Salmonella germs on them that are too tiny to see with your eyes. Is it […]

Crowing serves the purpose of alerting the hens to seek cover from a predator and alerting the predator that a rooster is guarding his flock. Predators in the night, or even just perceived predators in the night, will cause a rooster to crow. Why are my chickens being noisy at night? Perhaps the brooder is […]

Yes! Your chickens can stay outside in the winter and most prefer it that way. This is especially true if you raise cold-hardy chicken breeds. Despite the cold temperatures, chickens regulate their body temperatures with the help of their undercoat of feathers and increased food intake. Can a chicken survive outside? Chickens are essentially walking, […]

Yes, citric acid is safe for chickens. Can chickens drink anything other than water? There’s really only one thing chickens need to drink: water. And as a bonus for backyard chicken keepers, it’s inexpensive, and freely available. Is apple juice good for chickens? Apple cider or juice should be avoided as it is mostly sugar. […]

The hen house must have good ventilation, be draft-free, and have an enclosed nesting area with a soft floor. Hen houses require regular cleaning and this should be considered during design and construction of the coop such as building it from non-porous material so that all surfaces can be easily cleaned. Do chicken coops have […]

How to avoid bird flu and protect your flock from disease prevent contact with wild birds and other animals. frequently clean poultry coops, waterers, feeders, your clothing and your boots. spot the signs and report early. limit exposure to visitors. keep new birds separate when entering your flock. How do you protect chickens from bird […]

Can chickens eat garlic? Absolutely. Chicken keepers have used raw garlic for years to help ward off a whole list of poultry ailments including respiratory problems, infection, and as a general support to the immune system. Every rural Italian family grows enough garlic to last one year. How often can chickens have garlic? For a […]

Chickens fleas are less common than mites and poultry lice. Fleas thrive during summer months. One of the best ways of preventing fleas is keeping a clean and tidy chicken coop. If you discover fleas, the chickens and the coop will need to be treated on the same day. Do backyard chickens get fleas? Did […]