Fall can make even an experienced chicken keeper stop and stare at the flock for a minute. One hen looks thin around the neck. Another has feathers sticking out in every direction.
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 »
Have you ever been stuck inside for days, bored out of your mind? Well, that’s how your chickens feel in the winter. It’s normal for chickens to get bored during the winter, especially if they’re stuck inside the coop due to bad weather. However, if they get too bored for too long, they’ll start to… Read more »
When raising chickens, it’s important to provide them with appropriate shelter. A chicken coop will do just that, protecting your chickens from predators and the elements, and allowing them to get the rest they need. If a chicken coop is home to your chicken flock, you should make every effort to keep it as clean… Read more »
Small, lovable, and with tons of personality, bantam chickens are a popular breed for backyard chicken raisers. Their diminutive size makes them perfect for backyards where space is wanting, and their upbeat demeanor turns them into excellent pets. If you’re just getting started with raising backyard chickens, bantams are a great place to start. Nevertheless,… Read more »
From chicken roosts to bedding, there are many things to consider when we’re building our chicken coops. However, none of these things will be much use without a good foundation—namely the flooring. Not all chicken coops need flooring—indeed, those that use the deep litter method or have well-draining soil can go without it—but most do… Read more »
Wintertime can bring a whole host of challenges, especially if you’re a chicken owner. While some chickens are built to withstand the cold, all chickens will still need some protection. As such, you’ll need to take extra precautions to keep your chickens happy and healthy throughout the tough winter season. Below is our chicken winter… Read more »
The chickens have come home to roost…literally. Chicken roosts, or roosting perches, are a familiar concept to veteran poultry keepers, but not so much for novices. There are a lot of questions soon-to-be chicken owners will have regarding roosts: what are they? How do you build them? Do you need them? Here we seek to… Read more »
You step out into your backyard and you notice feathers all across your lawn. Your immediate reaction is panic. Did a predator come into the coop? Did your chickens have a fight? While the situation may seem scary, it’s not always a reason to panic. There are many reasons why your chickens might be losing… 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 »
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 »
Even with their heavy plumage, chickens can get pretty chilly during the winter. To keep your flock happy, healthy and comfortable, it’s important to make sure their coop is equipped to keep them warm even on the coldest days of the year. Today we’ll look at a few ways to ensure your flock stays warm… Read more »
