I have a small town rural background where chickens roaming free was common. We called it scratchin’ in the stuff and eatin’ the things. The free-range movement has been a growing concern of mine, especially for veterinary practices in urban or ruralpolitan areas. This story begs the question, “are small animal veterinarians or dealers ready to service Chicken Little and her friends?” Include the VFD initiatives as you consider this and note the responses to these posts.
Source: Consumer Affairs, January 11, 2016.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside found that backyard chickens are more likely than chickens on commercial chicken farms to be infested by ectoparasites; parasites such as fleas, lice, and mites that live on the exterior of an organism. Their work was published online today in the Journal of Medical Entomology.
Source: Consumer Affairs, December 16, 2015.
Are organic and cage-free eggs the same thing? Egg producers do not agree.