Chicken manure contains a high amount of nitrogen and phosphorus that is great for supporting root development and new green leaf growth in lawns. If you happen to have a few chickens at home and are wanting to spread their manure out onto the lawn and garden, it is best to compost it first for […]
Author: Marilyn Medina
Are Backyard Chickens Safe?
Although keeping backyard poultry can be fun and educational, owners should be aware that poultry can sometimes carry harmful germs that make people sick. These germs can cause a variety of illnesses in people, ranging from minor skin infections to serious illnesses that could cause death. Can you get sick from live chickens? People who […]
How Do You Make A Chicken Run Fun?
Strawberries, blueberries, watermelon and apple slices are popular with many birds. Chickens love greens, too, so tossing them some spinach, arugula, kale, lettuce and chard will make them happy. Remember that whatever treats you feed, give them in moderation. How can I make my chicken run more fun? Giving your girls branches and stumps to […]
Are Any Plants Poisonous To Chickens?
An incomplete list of plants that are poisonous to chickens includes daffodils, foxglove, morning glory, yew, jimson weed, tulips, lily of the valley, azaleas, rhododendron, mountain laurel, monkshood, amaryllis, castor bean, trumpet vine, nightshade, nicotiana, and tansy. What should you not plant around chickens? What Plants Should I Avoid Growing Near Chicken? Daffodils. Foxglove. Hydrangea. […]
How Long Can Chickens Stay Locked?
How Long Can You Leave Chickens In The Coop? It comes generally advised that chickens shouldn’t be left locked in the coop for any longer than 3-4 days at a time. Being locked away for 24 hours on the odd occasion should be fine, but any longer than this and undesirable effects may occur. How […]
What To Feed Chickens To Lay Eggs?
FEEDING CHICKENS FOR EGG PRODUCTION IN SMALL AND BACKYARD FLOCKS Providing vitamin and electrolyte supplements for more than 10 days. Supplementing complete feeds with cracked corn, oats, or other grains. Regularly adding green chops, lettuce, or other low nutrition ingredients to the diet. What is the best food for chickens to lay eggs? You don’t […]
Do Chickens Pee Or Just Poop?
In a chicken’s body, its kidneys have three lobes. These lobes are located under their lungs. As birds do not have a urinary bladder, their pee is non-water soluble uric acid. If you have observed your chicken’s poop, their “pee” is the white paste and some liquid that’s excreted out as they release their waste. […]
Do Chickens Need To Be In The Sun?
The sun determines their daily sleep/wake schedule and the light helps them synthesize and produce the hormones required for egg production. However, chickens only need a moderate amount of sunlight and do require shade. Too much exposure or excessive exposure to sunlight can prove fatal. Can you keep chickens in the shade? Should you build […]
Can You Get Worms From Chicken Eggs?
Several worm parasites have been detected within market eggs. The intestinal nematode (Ascaridia galli) has been reported most frequently. Cecal worms (Heterakis spp.), oviduct flukes (Prosthogonimus spp.) and a tapeworm (Cestoda) also have been recovered from eggs. Can humans get worms from chickens? Live in the small intestine & interfere with chicken’s ability to absorb […]
How Common Is Salmonella In Backyard Chickens?
Getting Salmonella From Backyard Chickens Among 423 people interviewed, 292, or 69%, reported contact with backyard poultry before getting sick. Most chickens, ducks and turkeys carry some form of the more than 2,000 types of salmonella, Coufal said. It’s a naturally occurring part of their microbial flora. How common is it to get Salmonella from […]
Should I Give My Chickens Grass?
Small handfuls of grass no longer than a couple of inches are safe and healthy enough for your hens, however, anything longer than that is likely to cause problems, making them ill and in extreme cases causing death. Our Hen Helpline has received several calls recently for exactly this reason. Is it OK to feed […]
What Kind Of Grass Is Best For Chickens?
If you’re wondering what kind of grass is best for grass-fed chickens, the answer is, “green grass.” What I mean is, lush green grass is loaded with vitamins and is has lots of available nutrients, but as it fades to brown, it becomes more and more useless to chickens. What kind of pasture is best […]
What Is The Best Way Of Cooking Root Vegetables?
Roasting in the oven and boiling on the stove are both popular ways to cook root vegetables. You can also braise them. Braising means to cook in fat and then in a little liquid. What is the best cooking method for root vegetables? Preparation Heat oven to 425 degrees. Peel vegetables (optional) and cut them […]
Do Chickens Poop Everywhere?
So, if you have chickens or a chicken, you have probably noticed something that happens quite regularly and quite often. Chickens poop, they poop a lot and they poop everywhere. They poop enough to probably make you wonder how many chickens you have…and whether some have joined the flock without you knowing it! Do chickens […]
How Are Root Vegetables Grown?
Root vegetables flourish in well-drained, deep, loose soil where their roots can easily expand. Root crops generally grow well in sandy loam and peat soil, and they tend to struggle in clay soils. How do root veggies grow? Root crops are cool-season vegetables. Their tiny seeds germinate best in damp soil that’s between 50° and […]
Should You Mulch Root Vegetables?
Mulching will keep roots cool and moist. If carrot root “shoulders” come up above the soil or mulch, cover them again to prevent sunlight from “greening” them, which can cause bitterness. Sow in late-summer/fall. Add 2 weeks to the “days to maturity” to allow for shorter days and cooler growing temperatures. Which vegetables should be […]
Is Butternut Squash A Hybrid?
It has a sweet, nutty taste similar to that of a pumpkin. It has tan-yellow skin and orange fleshy pulp with a compartment of seeds in the blossom end. Butternut squash. Cucurbita moschata ‘Butternut’ Hybrid parentage ‘Gooseneck squash’ × ‘Hubbard squash’ Breeder Charles Leggett Origin 1940s in Stow, Massachusetts, United States Is butternut squash man […]
How Did Butternut Squash Get Its Name?
The butternut squash is a bottle-shaped type of squash with a sweet taste. All the seeds and membranes are found in the round part of the butternut and are therefore easy to remove. The name ‘butternut’ comes from its buttery flesh and nutty flavour. Who named butternut squash? Charles LeggettButternut squash Cucurbita moschata ‘Butternut’ Species […]
How Long Do Satsumas Last?
To extend the shelf life of tangerines, refrigerate in a plastic bag. How long do tangerines last in the refrigerator? Properly stored, tangerines will usually keep well for about 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge. How long do satsumas last in the fridge? Satsumas can be stored at room temperature for a couple of […]
Is Eggplant Good For 1 Year Old?
When can babies eat eggplant? Eggplant may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. While not a common first food, serving eggplant and other vegetables can introduce bitter tastes to baby—an excellent way to develop a well-rounded palate! Is eggplant good for toddlers? […]