Tag: Chicken

Do chickens eat pasture and grass or is it just a ‘myth’? Yes! but we want to be absolutely upfront about this; they do not live on pasture alone. Pigs and chickens are very different to other livestock grown for our consumption in that they cannot be productive and survive on a diet of just […]

Spread a 1-inch layer of mulch over the seeds. Straw is easy to spread, but if the area is exposed to high winds, the straw may blow away. If necessary, lay chicken wire over top of the straw to help hold it down. Or use geotextile mulch, which will biodegrade over time. Why are my […]

You cannot get bird flu from eating fully cooked chicken, turkey, or duck, because heat kills the virus. In a few cases, bird flu was passed from one person to another person, not from a bird to a person. But this was very rare. Do you get bird flu from eating chicken? No human bird […]

Can You Catch Bird Flu From Eating Eggs or Chicken? According to the USDA, there is no evidence that bird flu can be passed to humans who eat contaminated poultry products. In addition, when an infected flock is culled their eggs are also destroyed to prevent contaminated eggs from spreading the virus to other birds. […]

Oregano(antibiotic) in their feed and water at all times during treatment until symptoms have completely passed for ALL chickens. Add turmeric (immune support and anti-inflammatory) and garlic (antibacterial) to their feed as well. Separate any infected birds as much as possible, but treat ALL birds the same. What can I give my chickens if they […]

Infection can occur without touching poultry. More information about bird flu is available at www.cdc.govwww.cdc.govAs the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. To accomplish our mission, CDC conducts critical science and provides health information that protects our nation against expensive and dangerous health threats, and responds when these […]

Habitat Design Captive chickens require a similar dual-habitat. They will need a chicken coop, which usually takes the form of a wooden building, and an outdoor area in which they can forage for food. This area is usually enclosed in a fence to contain the birds and keep predators at bay. What is chicken habitat? […]

Marek’s disease is not a risk to humans or other mammals. Eggs and meat from infected chickens are not affected by the disease and are safe to eat. However, if a chicken was infected with the cutaneous form of Marek’s, it may have skin and/or internal tumors that can be unsightly. Is it OK to […]

You are likely wondering if it is safe to eat eggs or meat from chickens with coccidiosis. You can eat eggs from a chicken with coccidiosis as most chickens have a residual infection all the time, they are just immune to it. Can coccidiosis affect eggs? Watch Egg Production Most chickens that are actively infected […]

It wouldn’t be pleasant, as Bacteria still would be present. If you consumed it, you would probably will have food poisoning and be very ill. What happens if I eat a sick chicken? Chicken can be a nutritious choice, but raw chicken is often contaminated with Campylobacter bacteria and sometimes with Salmonella and Clostridium perfringens […]

Winterizing the Chicken Coop If space permits, you can generate a little bioheat with bales of hay placed under the roost or along the outer walls of the coop. To help small coops retain heat, cover them with blankets or tarps during the coldest months. How do you keep chickens warm in extreme cold? Here […]

If your hens have a fixed run, and they are scratching at bare earth or splashing about in the mud, add a good layer of hardwood woodchip in their run and you will have happy hens! No need for a Geotextile membrane, you can place the Woodchip directly on to earth or grass. Are wood […]

Regardless of the areas in which they’re allowed to roam, they’ll always need a place to rest in the evening. This is why a chicken coop is paramount, as it provides them with a safe and comfortable place to do so. The basic purpose of a coop is to provide: Protection from the elements. Can […]

While not common, providing chickens a bale of straw or hay can be a good thing. It’s an inexpensive way to provide food and a little entertainment to these animals. A bale in a chicken run gives birds the opportunity to search for a variety of tasty treats. Is it OK to put hay in […]

Ashes contain an abundance of calcium and also a good source of potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. Adding a ration of 1% ash to your hens’ feed improves the quality and duration of laying. Ashes reduce the smell of droppings. Is Ash safe for chickens? Wood ash offers calcium and potassium. Adding wood ash to your […]

Cage-free chickens remain active and healthier because they can move about more than caged chickens. Like free-range chickens, they are less likely to become obese. Cage-free chickens have space to expand their feathers and roam freely. Cage-free chickens are provided with food and water at various locations. Which is better cage-free or free-range eggs? According […]

The quick answer is; chickens clean themselves in two ways which are either dust bathing in loose dirt, soil or sand to remove parasites from their feathers and skin along with preening with their beaks to pick out bits and to re-align their feathers for optimum protection. Do chickens bathe in dirt? Why do chickens […]

In general, it’s better to provide too much space for your chickens rather than too little. Chickens can become a little cranky if they’re cooped up too close for too long. How much space do chickens need inside? In addition to a minimum of 3-5 square feet of indoor space and at least 10 square […]

Remember: don’t use chicken wire for your coop or run: chicken wire is not a barrier to predators. Wolves, coyotes and other predators can tear right through it like tissue paper. (Chicken wire should only be used to keep chickens in, not to keep predators out.) Ideally, use welded wire fencing or hardware cloth. Is […]

Just be sure to keep it clean so your chooks can keep clean too! Backyard Chicken Coops is the place to go to find well-made chicken coops with the option of adding wonderful wire mesh flooring to the run. They use a heavy gauge 20mm x 20mm welded galvanized wire mesh. That definitely will not […]