Tag: Chicken

Creative Feed #5: Garden Toss your garden trimmings to your chickens. Offer your flock what’s left of your produce. Grow produce, especially for your flock. Cooked (not raw) potatoes could serve as a staple for your chickens. Consider growing winter squashes as they store extremely well and can be used as winter feeds. What to […]

We knew given sufficient land, chickens can survive mostly on forage and scraps. We also believed the common “wisdom”: without feeding a complete and balanced chicken feed formulated for layers, hens can’t sustain high rates of laying and their health is likely to suffer. How long can chickens go without feed? Still, like any captive […]

Here are six of the most common health issues chickens face: Fowl Cholera. Fowl Cholera is a chronic disease caused by Pasteurella Multocida that can affect the joints, wattles, infraohits, sinuses and other tissues. Coccidiosis. Avian Influenza. Fowl Pox. Newcastle Disease. Salmonellosis. How do you know if a chicken has a disease? If your flock […]

Because they are a member of the rodent family, squirrels are known to prey on small snakes, birds, young chickens, fellow rodents, and lizards. Their teeth follow the same structure of typical rodents with large incisors for gnawing and molars that can grind both nuts and flesh. How do you keep squirrels away from chickens? […]

There’s no denying it–chickens are flippin’ flappin’ weird. And you are about to become one, congrats. Chickens, as with most birds, possess the emotional and intelligence level of a 2 year old human child. Chickens feel emotions on that level including jealousy, fear, affection and sadness, among others. Do chickens get attached to their owners? […]

Lavender is a natural stress reliever which can be beneficial to laying and sitting hens. Lavender also increases blood circulation so it’s especially beneficial to chickens sitting on eggs who don’t get up and move around as much as they should. Can I use lavender oil in my chicken coop? Ancient remedies, such as lavender […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

In order to consistently lay eggs, hens need about 16 hours of daylight and 8 hours of darkness when they’re roosting. Once less than 12 hours of daylight is available, egg productions slows down considerably if not ceases completely. Do chicken nesting boxes need to be dark? Ensure that your nest boxes are in a […]

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 […]

The use of blackout pullet houses is a common industry practice. The purpose of blackout housing is to sensitize (to make more responsive) the pullet’s brain such that when the pullet is exposed to long daylengths in the breeder house, she will respond with efficient egg production. Do chickens need to be in the dark? […]

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. […]

When deciding between red or clear heat lamps, it’s usually better to go with a red bulb. This lamp may put out gentler light that helps the chicks sleep and could prevent the chicks from pecking at each other’s combs and wattles. Is a red heat lamp okay for chickens? According to some studies, chickens […]

If your chickens are ill, they will not be very active, and will often not leave the coop to do their usual things. Their feathers will be ruffled or puffed out, and their combs may be pale. Chickens that are scared will try to hide or run away. How do I know if my chickens […]

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 […]

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 […]

Foods that are poisonous to Chickens Raw or dried beans. These are dangerous for both humans and also chickens, consumption will result in serious illness or death. Apple seeds. Feel free to feed your chickens apples, but do not feed them apple seeds. What poison kills chickens? Apple seeds – The seeds contain cyanide which […]

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 […]

Salt can help optimize performance in meat and egg production. For laying hens, salt is extremely important for proper reproductive health. Champion’s Choice® Salt helps you meet the needs of laying hens or broilers, turkeys, game birds, water fowl and exotics like emus and ostriches. Do chickens need salt in their diet? Most chickens need […]