Tag: chicken egg laying

If you are raising chickens for meat, the best breed for your backyard really depends on what matters most to you.

When you’re looking to bring home backyard chickens for the first time, breed is an important consideration. Different breeds have different needs, particularly when it comes to the climate you live in and the space you have available. Choosing the right breed for your backyard environment ensures happier, healthier birds and a more enjoyable experience… Read more »

Molting season can be a stressful time for chickens and caretakers alike. As feathers fall out and new ones begin to take their place, your flock’s nutritional needs will begin to shift. It’s up to you to give them the right diet to support heathy feather regrowth and keep their energy up during this demanding… Read more »

One of the many perks of raising backyard chickens is collecting fresh eggs straight from the coop. During peak laying season, you may even end up with more eggs than you know what to do with. When that happens, you may even lose track of how long you’ve had certain eggs. It’s important to know… Read more »

With egg prices soaring in recent months and showing no signs of going down, backyard chicken owners have a distinct advantage. You get to enjoy fresh daily eggs and have the opportunity to maximize their use and value. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your eggs in 2025, ensuring nothing… 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 »

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 »

There’s so much to love about becoming a backyard chicken owner. You become more self-sufficient, you’ll be provided with fresh eggs and natural pest control, and you’ll have the joy of connecting with animals. But before any of that happens, you have some big decisions to make. Perhaps the most important question you’ll have to… 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 »

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 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 »

As the frost of winter melts away and the first green shoots of spring make their appearance, many of us start to feel the itch for new beginnings. For those considering entering the rewarding journey of backyard chicken keeping, there couldn’t be a more perfect time than spring to start. The season of renewal is… 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 »

As we bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new, it’s a time for reflection and setting goals. As a backyard chicken owner, your flock’s health and happiness are likely at the top of your priority list. So, why not make some New Year’s resolutions to become an even better poultry parent? Here… 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 »

There are a great many tasks you’re responsible for when you choose to invest in backyard chickens. One that is often overlooked is keeping them safe from predators. Even in suburban settings, there are predators that can bring harm to your beloved backyard poultry. With that in mind, it’s important to walk through some simple,… 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 »

Raising healthy backyard chickens requires understanding their dietary needs. Different stages of life require different types of feed, so let’s delve into the chicken nutrition basics and break down what you should be feeding your flock at each stage of their lives. The First Days: Baby Chicks When chicks first hatch, they need a diet… Read more »

Every backyard chicken owner knows that some strange things can happen with their flock. One of those are lash eggs. These types of eggs aren’t pretty to look at, and when you first see them, you may not know what to do next. Here, we explain everything you need to know about lash eggs and… Read more »

When starting a backyard flock, many people buy chicks and raise them into full-grown adult chickens. While this is an excellent way to start your backyard flock, it’s not the only way. You can also buy pullets. Chicken pullets are female chickens under one year of age. They’re typically 6-9 weeks old when they’re shipped,… Read more »

With the cold weather setting in, you’re likely taking steps to prepare your flock for the months ahead. But if you live in a cold climate, it may be a good idea to get chickens that are built for colder weather. These hardy chickens can withstand tougher conditions than most normal chickens. But which breeds… Read more »

When winter comes along, our world becomes much colder and darker. We humans like to stay inside our nicely lit homes, and our chickens are no different. They’ll need their coops to be warm and safe if they’re to survive the winter. But what about your coop’s lighting? Many chicken owners use supplemental lighting to… Read more »

Coming up with the best diet for your specific chickens sometimes requires trial and error, but one thing is certain: one of the best snacks for chickens is herbs. Not all herbs are appropriate for chickens, so Chickens for Backyards has created a guide on which herbs are best. Mint Who doesn’t love some fresh… Read more »

The first signs of fall are typically falling leaves and colder temperatures. But if you’re a chicken owner, those signs will also be accompanied by your chickens molting. While this is a completely normal process that your chickens will go through each year, you may be wondering why it happens. Read on to learn more:… Read more »

Chickens can be as finicky as Goldilocks when it comes to their nesting boxes. They can’t be too big or too small, too hard or too soft; they need to be just right for your chickens to use them. Finding this perfect middle ground can be difficult, but it’s not impossible.   Here we’ve put… Read more »

When you head to the grocery store, you’ll likely see many varieties of eggs. You’ll see white eggs and brown eggs, cage-free and pasture-raised, and more. Another distinction you’ll notice is the size of the eggs. Chicken eggs can come in many sizes, but the USDA recognizes only six weight classes. Read on to learn… Read more »

When you get your chicken meat from the grocery store, it often comes from large corporations that use unethical practices. Chickens are kept in cruel environments and there is little care given to their happiness and livelihood. However, we can help break this cycle. Small flock owners and free rangers can provide a healthy and… Read more »

Baby chicks are cute, small, and fluffy. It’s no wonder why so many people fall in love with them! But baby chicks won’t stay chicks for long. Just like all of us, chicks grow and mature into adults, eventually retiring as seniors. A lot of things change when a chicken goes from a fluffy baby chick… Read more »

Once you’ve decided to start a backyard flock, you need to figure out what types of chickens you want to raise. Indeed, there is more than one type of chicken. In fact, there are hundreds of breeds you could choose from, but many of them can be classified into three categories: egg layers, meat producers,… Read more »

Our chickens may not be able to talk with words and phrases like us, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a language of their own. Chickens can produce over 24 different types of sounds and call, all of which denote different meanings. Chickens can even combine these sounds to create more complex dialogue with… Read more »

While chickens provide great companionship, there is a very tangible benefit to raising backyard chickens: their eggs. Having a fresh supply of eggs that your family can enjoy each morning is why many chicken raisers get into the business in the first place. Plus, there’s no denying that selling your chicken eggs can be quite… Read more »

As our chickens age, they slow down and gradually stop producing eggs. But that doesn’t mean we don’t still love them. We want to take good care of them but caring for aging chickens is much different than caring for younger ones. After all, senior chickens face more health challenges, ailments, and they require different… Read more »

No matter their age, chickens love food. Providing them with the necessary feed and nutrients will ensure their happiness and their overall health. Yet, feeding your chickens is easier said than done. There are so many types of feed, treats, supplements, and techniques that it can confuse even the most experienced chicken owner. To make… Read more »

Mother hens have a lot of responsibility. Once they start laying eggs at about 4-5 months of age, they will spend most of their lives either producing eggs, caring for their chicks, or both. This line of work is nothing to sneeze at, as it takes plenty of energy to raise and protect baby chicks…. Read more »

Does it feel like your chickens are always looking for something to eat? That’s because they almost always are. If your chickens aren’t chowing down on feed in their coop, they’re probably out foraging for plants and insects to snack on in your yard. One way to keep your chickens happy and healthy is by… Read more »

Perhaps the primary reason for raising backyard chickens is having a fresh supply of eggs on your table every day. However, when you’re new to raising chickens, you may be asking yourself one question: how often will my hens lay eggs? Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer.  The short answer Frankly, there is no short… Read more »

Raising backyard chickens can be a thrilling and rewarding experience; it can also be a daunting experience. This is especially the case for beginners who may be attracted to the idea of raising backyard chickens but may not know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to help all beginners get… Read more »

For some people, owning one or two chickens in their backyard is all they need to be happy. For others, however, the more the merrier! While you can certainly keep buying hens from Chickens for Backyards, there is a special joy in breeding chickens yourself. Not only will this increase the numbers in your flock,… Read more »

If you walk into your local grocery store, you’ll notice that most eggs have white-colored shells. However, did you know that there are multiple variations of egg colors? In fact, colored eggs are commonly found in backyard coops. Before you start your collection, there is some vital information to understand: The Science Behind the Color… Read more »

One of the joys of owning backyard chickens is having freshly laid eggs on your kitchen table. Yet, there may come a time when one or many of your chickens stop laying eggs. The reasons can be varied, ranging from age to more serious health concerns. Nutrition If your chickens stop laying eggs, then the… Read more »

Coccidiosis is a common disease found in backyard chickens. It’s an intestinal disease that occurs as a result of your chicken ingesting protozoa (specifically those of the genus Eimeria), that is, a microscopic parasitic organism that latches onto the lining of a chicken’s gut, causing it to bleed. It can be potentially fatal to your… Read more »

When you purchase a dozen eggs from the grocery store, all of the eggs are typically the same color. You might get a dozen white eggs or a dozen brown in your carton. But when you take a look at the eggs that are laid by your personal chickens, you will notice that they are… Read more »

Hens sometimes go through phases where they will “refuse” to lay eggs for a period of time. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you’re raising chickens for the sole purpose of having fresh eggs at home. There are several different reasons that hens might suddenly stop laying eggs and Chickens for Backyards has some… Read more »

A lot of things change when a chicken goes from a fluffy baby chick to a fully-grown, producing chicken. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE VARIOUS STAGES OF GROWTH WHEN IT COMES TO CHICKENS IN ORDER TO RAISE THEM APPROPRIATELY. Understanding the changes of growth will help you better comprehend the science of these birds and will give you… Read more »

One of the best parts about raising chickens is gathering the fresh eggs they lay. But every now and then, you might notice that your hens are laying soft eggs, which are also called shell less eggs because—you guessed it!—they don’t have shells on them. Fortunately, you can fix this problem by finding out what’s… 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 »