One of the most exciting stages of backyard chicken keeping is waiting for that first egg. As pullets grow, it is natural to start wondering when egg laying will begin and what signs to watch for.
Rare chicken breeds often catch people’s attention right away. They may have unusual feather patterns, striking colors, or unique features that set them apart in the coop.
You also have to consider noise, space, and how your flock fits into the day-to-day rhythm of a suburb or city backyard.
If you are looking for a chicken breed with a lot of personality, Silkies are easy to love. Their soft, fluffy appearance makes them stand out right away, and they are often one of the first breeds people consider when they want a backyard flock that feels a little more personal.
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 »
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 »
It’s always exciting to grow your backyard poultry family, but it’s also a bit of a balancing act. Chickens are creatures of habit, so adding newcomers can stir up the pecking order. With a thoughtful approach, you can make the transition as smooth and safe as possible for both your new additions and the current… Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
If you’re a backyard chicken owner, you don’t need to be told that chickens are intelligent, curious creatures. They thrive when their environment provides opportunities to engage in natural behaviors such as scratching, pecking, and exploring. Enriching your chicken’s environment not only enhances their well-being, but can also promote healthier, more sociable birds. Here’s how… Read more »
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 »
We all want our backyard chickens to live in the best conditions possible. The only way to truly ensure that happens is to be vigilant about maintaining their coops. In fact, it may be your most important responsibility as an owner. When you properly maintain your chicken’s coop, you are ensuring your feathered friends are… Read more »
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 »
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 »
As the chill of winter thaws into the warmth of spring, it’s an ideal time for backyard chicken keepers to perform a thorough check-in with their feathered friends. Spring symbolizes renewal in nature, so this is a crucial opportunity to ensure the health and well-being of your chickens after the long winter months. Here are… Read more »
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 »
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 »
In the coldest of winter months, it’s easy to begin to worry about the well-being of our feathered backyard friends. Chickens are surprisingly resilient creatures, well-equipped by nature to withstand cooler temperatures. However, as a caring chicken owner, you can take steps to ensure they stay comfortable and healthy through the winter. Let’s explore how… Read more »
Gathering fresh eggs from your backyard chickens is one of the simple pleasures of raising your own poultry. In fact, it may even be the primary reason you brought chickens to your home in the first place. So, of course you’re going to want to everything you can to support the animals and ensure they’re… Read more »
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, and as a backyard chicken keeper, it’s natural to want to extend this festive spirit to your feathered friends. Decorating your chicken coop can be a delightful way to bring some holiday cheer to your backyard. However, it’s crucial to do this safely to ensure… Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Maybe you’ve pictured it: waking up to the gentle clucking of hens, stepping into your backyard to be greeted by your flock, and the joy of fresh, home-laid eggs. But before you jump into the world of backyard poultry, there are important questions you need to ask yourself. Ensuring that you are fully prepared for… Read more »
Have you ever wondered what your chickens are saying with their clucks, crows, and squawks? It turns out there’s a whole lot of communication going on in your backyard flock. In fact, researchers have identified more than 24 distinct vocalizations in chicken language. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of chicken communication. A Chicken’s Vocabulary… Read more »
So, you’re ready to introduce some new feathered friends to your existing flock. That’s eggs-citing news! But we know it can also be a bit daunting. Chickens have a specific social structure – often referred to as a “pecking order” – and adding new birds to the mix can shake things up. But don’t worry,… Read more »
Permaculture is a holistic approach to designing sustainable systems. It allows you to get more out of your flock and garden with less work and less resources. One of the key elements in permaculture is integrating animals into the ecosystem to create a harmonious and self-sustaining environment. When it comes to poultry, chickens stand out… Read more »
When starting a backyard flock, many people decide to build their own chicken coops. However, not everyone has the time, tools, or skills to do so. Buying a readymade chicken coop is a perfectly acceptable alternative. However, since you’ll be relying on someone else to build it, you’ll need to ensure that it has everything… Read more »
If your hen doesn’t leave her nesting box and she hisses at you as you get near, then this is a sign of a broody hen. If you’re wanting your flock to reproduce, this may be a good sign, but if you’re trying to collect unfertilized eggs, it can cause trouble. But how do you… Read more »
Feather pecking is a common behavior amongst birds, especially backyard chickens. However, it’s not necessarily a healthy behavior. Feather pecking mostly occurs when chickens are bored or stressed, and it can cause harm on their overall health. Here, we discuss everything you need to know about feather pecking so you can avoid it in the… Read more »
Many people who want to get into raising backyard chickens often hesitate for one reason: their dogs. Dogs and chickens aren’t known to be compatible species, but if dogs and cats can live together, so too can dogs and chickens. With a little training and some care, you can get your dogs and chickens to… Read more »
When raising backyard chickens, you obviously want to keep them safe and healthy. You also want to keep your lawn looking its best. For many homeowners, herbicides and pesticides are used to keep unwanted pests and plants away, but what do you do if you have backyard chickens? Are those same herbicides and pesticides safe… Read more »
A broody hen is a hen that becomes obsessed with sitting on her eggs until they hatch, even if they’re not fertilized. While this might seem like a positive behavior on the surface, it’s not good if the hen keeps you from collecting unfertilized eggs. Broody hens can become very aggressive if you attempt to… Read more »
As a chicken owner, the last thing you want is for one of your hens to develop a taste for eggs. This typically happens when an egg breaks in a nesting box and a hen finds that it’s full of sweet, delicious yolk. Once a hen discovers that the contents of their eggs taste pretty… Read more »
