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Tag: backyard chicken behavior

29 articles tagged with backyard chicken behavior

Buff Laced Polish chicken
Chickens for Backyards

Signs Your Backyard Chicken is Feeling Stressed and How to Help

As a backyard chicken keeper, you want your flock to be as healthy and happy as possible. Just like people, chickens can become stressed. When they do, it affects their behavior, their health, and even their egg production. Fortunately, with a little attention and care, we can spot the signs early and adjust support them…. Read more »

Everything You Need to Know About Chicken Dust Baths
Chickens for Backyards

How to Build a Chicken Dust Bath and Why It’s Important

When you’re new to raising chickens, you will likely quickly learn that one of their favorite pastimes is rolling around in the dirt. While the chickens having a lot of fun, they’re also an essential part of health and hygiene. That’s where a chicken dust bath comes in: What Is a Dust Bath? A dust… Read more »

Three chickens inside a coop in the daytime with natural lighting. The chickens are looking directly at the camera.
Chickens for Backyards

How to Keep Backyard Chickens Safe from Common Spring and Summer Pests

As the weather warms up in spring and summer, we all start to spend more time outdoors, but so do pests. Unfortunately, backyard chickens are just very appealing to mites, lice, flies, and even predators. If you want to keep your flock healthy and thriving, you need to stay proactive about pest prevention and control…. Read more »

An Austra White Rooster in a backyard
Chickens for Backyards

How Keeping Backyard Chickens Can Be Beneficial for Your Mental Health

It’s so easy to become overwhelmed with the stresses and annoyances that come with the work and responsibility of adult life. That’s why it’s important to find something that offers you a respite from all of this. One such option is keeping backyard chickens. These delightful creatures offer far more than just fresh eggs. They… Read more »

Three Austra White Chickens
Chickens for Backyards

Supplies to Buy When Bringing Home Backyard Chickens

Starting the journey of raising backyard chickens is an exciting time in life. But it’s incredibly important to ensure you have the right supplies is crucial for a smooth start. Whether you’re new to chicken keeping or looking to enhance your existing setup, here are essential items that will help you and your feathered friends… Read more »

Two kids with a baby chicken
Chickens for Backyards

What Traits Do Good Backyard Chicken Owners Have?

Owning backyard chickens is a rewarding experience that also comes with its share of responsibilities. Just like any other pet, chickens require care, attention, and a conducive environment to thrive. If you’re considering joining the growing community of backyard chicken owners or are looking to improve as a poultry keeper, there are a few things… Read more »

Scenic view with private house in covered by fresh snow forest. Wild turkey with open tail on driveway during sunrise. Wisconsin wildlife nature background.
Chickens for Backyards

10 Tips for Backyard Turkey Winter Care

Winter is approaching, meaning it’s time to ensure your backyard turkeys are prepared for the cold. Turkeys are resilient, but the harsh weather conditions can still pose significant challenges. Here are 10 detailed tips to help you provide the best care for your turkeys during the colder months: Winterize the Coop Inspect your turkey coop… Read more »

brown chicken on the farm in winter. In winter, two brown hens walk around the farm.
Chickens for Backyards

How Backyard Chicken Behavior Will Change in the Cold Weather Months

With the seasons in transition and the colder weather setting in, you have likely noticed some changes in your backyard chickens’ behavior. These are natural adaptations to the colder temperatures and shorter days. Understanding these behavioral shifts can help you better care for your flock during this time of year. Decreased Egg Production Chickens tend… Read more »

A man holds one of his backyard chickens
Chickens for Backyards

Why Backyard Chicken Keeping Makes Your Life Better

Backyard chicken keeping has surged in popularity over the years for more reasons than just the steady supply of fresh eggs. The benefits of raising your own chickens go far beyond the breakfast table, enhancing your lifestyle, enriching your gardening experience, and even improving your well-being. Here’s why incorporating backyard chickens into your life might… Read more »

Chickens in a coop
Chickens for Backyards

How to Correct Bad Behavior in Backyard Chickens

Taking care of backyard chickens can be a rewarding experience, although you might occasionally encounter some behavioral issues. This can come in the form of pecking, bullying, or even unwanted escape attempts. Regardless, it’s important to address these behaviors promptly to help maintain a harmonious coop. Here’s how to correct bad behavior in your chickens… Read more »

Black Slate Turkey
Chickens for Backyards

The Most Important Things to Know About Raising Backyard Turkeys

Raising backyard turkeys is a fulfilling, worthwhile venture that can complement your existing poultry keeping or serve as a standalone project. Turkeys tend to be fascinating birds that provide large eggs and more meat than chickens, adding substantial value to your backyard operation. Even if you’re not planning to harvest their meat, they can be… Read more »

Chickens Gallus domesticus rest comfortably inside a wooden coop.
Chickens for Backyards

Supplies You’ll Need Before You Bring Home Backyard Chickens

Starting the journey of backyard chicken ownership is such an exciting time in your life, filled with both anticipation and preparation. To ensure a smooth transition and a happy, healthy flock, it’s important to ensure you have all the necessary supplies before your feathered friends arrive. This can be a stressful process with so many… Read more »

Young cheerful woman picking fresh eggs in chicken house
Chickens for Backyards

10 Things Every First-Time Backyard Chicken Owner Should Know

Embarking on the journey of backyard chicken keeping can be incredibly rewarding, providing you with fresh eggs, natural pest control, and the joy of connecting with your food source. However, like any new endeavor, there are important basics every first-time chicken owner should know to ensure success. Here are ten essential tips to help you… Read more »

A small flock of mixed free-range poultry feeding outdoors
Chickens for Backyards

Signs that the Heat is Getting to Your Backyard Chickens

As temperatures rise during the upcoming summer months, keeping your backyard chickens cool and comfortable becomes a top priority. Chickens can suffer from heat stress, which can severely impact their health and egg production. Recognizing the signs that the heat is affecting your chickens is essential for taking quick action to ensure their wellbeing. Here… Read more »

Silver Appleyard duck
Chickens for Backyards

How Raising Backyard Ducks is Different than Raising Chickens

If you’ve already experienced the joys of raising backyard chickens and are considering adding ducks to your flock, there are some notable differences to be aware of. While ducks share some similarities with chickens, they have unique needs and behaviors that can make caring for them a delightful challenge. Let’s waddle through the main distinctions… Read more »

Three kids of varying ages feed a group of chickens
Chickens for Backyards

How to Get Your Children Involved in Taking Care of Backyard Chickens

Introducing backyard chickens into your family can be more than just an addition to your home—it can be an enriching experience for your children as well. Teaching kids to care for animals fosters responsibility, empathy, and a connection to nature. Here’s how you can transform chicken care from a chore into a fun and educational… Read more »

White Leghorn chick
Chickens for Backyards

How Baby Chicks Will Change as They Grow into Adult Chickens

Raising chickens from baby chicks is one of the most rewarding experiences a backyard poultry keeper can have. Watching these tiny, fluffy balls of energy grow into full-sized hens and roosters is not just fascinating; it’s educational. However, as they grow, chicks undergo several changes, not just in size but in their behavior, dietary needs,… Read more »

White Turkey
Chickens for Backyards

Ideal Living Arrangements for Backyard Turkeys

Taking the first step into the backyard poultry life can be an enriching experience, especially when it includes raising turkeys. These charming birds, with their distinctive gobble and impressive plumage, require specific living arrangements to thrive. If you’re considering adding turkeys to your backyard flock, understanding their needs is crucial for their well-being and your… Read more »

Black Slate Turkey
Chickens for Backyards

Signs that Raising Backyard Turkeys is the Right Move for You

Raising backyard turkeys can be a fulfilling endeavor, offering benefits beyond just the joy of keeping poultry. While chickens are a more common choice for backyard flocks, turkeys bring their own unique charm and advantages. If you’re contemplating whether to add these majestic birds to your backyard, here are some signs that raising turkeys might… Read more »

A chicken walks with some chicks and ducks
Chickens for Backyards

Tips for Helping Your Backyard Chickens and Ducks to Coexist

Blending a flock of chickens and ducks in your backyard can be a delightful endeavor. While these birds have distinct needs and behaviors, with careful planning and understanding, they can coexist in harmony, adding diversity and joy to your backyard. Here are some insights and tips to help you create a peaceful and productive environment… Read more »

A group of Dark Brahma chickens hanging out in an outdoor space
Chickens for Backyards

How Much Space You’ll Need for Backyard Chickens

If you’re considering raising chickens on your property, one of your first considerations should be how much space you’ll need. That will depend on a few factors, including how many chickens you plan to bring home. Here’s what you need to know when it comes to the necessary space required to house backyard chickens: Room… Read more »

White Jersey Giant Eggs
Chickens for Backyards

Why Backyard Chicken Eggs are Better Than Store Bought Commercial Eggs

Deciding to invest in backyard chickens is a fantastic idea for a variety of reasons. One of the biggest payoffs is the consistent availability of freshly laid eggs. They represent a significant improvement over commercial, store-bought eggs and not just because you don’t have to leave your property to get them. If you’ve been contemplating… Read more »

Two chickens stand out in the snow
Chickens for Backyards

Why Heat and Insulation Aren’t a Good Idea for Your Chicken Coop

The cool nip in the air, the first frost on the grass, and the reduced daylight can only mean one thing: winter is coming. And for those with backyard chickens, it’s a time when our protective instincts might kick into overdrive. Your immediate thought might be that you need to keep your chickens warm. While… Read more »

Light Brahma
Chickens for Backyards

Things to Do the Day You Bring Home New Chickens

The day has finally arrived. You’re feeling anticipation, excitement, and maybe a little nervous—as you prepare to welcome your new feathery friends to their forever home. Bringing home new chickens is an adventure in itself. To ensure their transition is smooth, and they settle in comfortably, there are some key steps you should follow. Here… Read more »