Tag: Chicken

Chickens pass gas for the same reason that we do: They have pockets of air trapped inside their intestines. This air has to come out one way or another, and it usually picks the most reliable exit. Chickens can also burp, so that air has at least one other escape route available. What animals Cannot […]

Rotten And Moldy Food Should Be Tossed In The Garbage Your chickens should also stay away from maggots that have eaten rotting material. The chickens will go wild for maggots, but if the maggot guts are full of rotten food, they can carry botulism as well. Can chickens get sick from spoiled food? No, your […]

Meat, fish and seafood are all great sources of protein for chickens, but not all chicken keepers are comfortable with them. If you do want to feed your birds meat or fish, always ensure it is fresh and remove any uneaten scraps after an hour or so. What grain has the most protein for chickens? […]

Egg Size and Your Small Flock of Laying Hens Hen body weight is the key to increased egg size. Protein level in the feed can be used to alter egg size at different stages of production. Lighting programs influence egg size by accelerating or delaying the age at which hens start to lay eggs. Why […]

Concrete Concrete is the best floor option for a chicken coop. It is safe and prevents burrowing predators from getting into the coop. After installing the concrete, it is also low maintenance and easy to clean. What should I put down on my chicken coop floor? What To Put On The Floor Of A Chicken […]

Chickens also are great for controlling pests, especially in the garden. Not only do they love grasshoppers, they are excellent at defending a homestead from scorpions, termites, mice, flies and June bugs. Chickens, in turn, provide fertilizer, fresh eggs, meat and entertainment. Can you use pesticides around chickens? Keep your poultry and their coop free […]

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 […]

When a chicken puffed up and tucks in like that, they’re trying to stay warm. The act of ‘puffing’ their feathers out helps trap air in their feathers, which helps insulate them and keep them warmer. How do you know a chicken is dying? These signs can include decreased eating, decreased drinking, a decrease in […]

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 […]

Chickens can be good pets for children who are able to be gentle around them. Are chickens hard to take care of? Chickens are fairly easy to maintain once you get their housing set up, requiring daily feedings and regular cleanings. Is owning a chicken hard? Chickens are much tougher than many people would have […]

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 […]

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 […]

Chickens should consume between 3 and 5 grams of whole bread. Your birds shouldn’t eat more than two grams of stale bread to keep them from experiencing digestion problems in the long run. Can you feed chickens too much bread? Bread contains yeast and sugar that can ferment in the crop, elevating the PH levels […]

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 […]

Chickens generally take themselves to bed when it gets dark, which will differ by the season. Once in the coop, these birds will perch on the roost and cluck away for a little while before they settle down to sleep. They’ll rise again at dawn when the sun comes up. Do chickens go to bed […]

Although hens roost relatively flat footed, they do like to be able to curl their toes around the edge of the perch at the front and back. This means that chickens prefer round or square/rectangular perches when compared to a flat perch such as a board. Should chicken perches be round or square? squareAn artificial […]

The outside run is an important feature to the coop. If you have a garden, you’ll want a chicken run so the chickens don’t eat your garden produce and plants. They love pea plants, so unless you plant some for them, you’ll want a chicken run. Chicken tractors or portable coops are also sold. Do […]

Sturdy branches are functional, appealing to chickens and add rustic style to the coop, but rubberized poles or lumber may also be used (two-by-fours work well). Roosts should be 2” to 5” in diameter, stable and easy to clean. What can you use for a chicken perch? A chicken roost is a place where birds […]

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 […]

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 […]