Weather fluctuations can create a shortage of food for some wild animals. This makes predation of chicken flocks more likely to occur. Extreme weather can change things from a time of scarcity to a season of starving. The author shares techniques to prevent attracting predators and to help if predators are already there. . . . chickens, their eggs and chicks are vulnerable to … [Read more...]
Search Results for: backyard chickens
Turkeys plus chickens: Mix the flock or not?
There are benefits to keeping a mixed flock, but there are serious bird health hazards associated with it, as well, writes Jeremy Chartier. He describes social benefits of mixing types, while reminding poultry raisers of potential coop configuration challenges. Source: Backyard Poultry, September 13, 2021. Link. Be sure to introduce mature turkeys into a chicken flock. … [Read more...]
Protecting chickens from pododermatitis, bumble foot
Complimentary Content Stephanie Lamb shares the whats, whys, where and hows of bumblefoot, an inflammatory condition affecting a bird’s foot and common with backyard poultry. Bumblefoot has various levels of severity in chickens, ranging from mild redness and thinning of the scales to ulcerations and damage to underlying muscle, tendons and bone. Source: Chickens, August … [Read more...]
Practical backyard chicken advice during a virtual visit to the farm
The number of backyard poultry flocks continues to grow. New owners need practical advice. In this episode of The Takeaway, guest host Melissa Harris-Perry has a discussion about backyard poultry basics with Emily Shoop, a PennState Extension educator who specializes in backyard poultry, as well as gamebirds. Source: The Takeaway, Rebroadcast: USDA plans to pay debt relief … [Read more...]
Stop kissing your chickens!
In what has become an annual and sometimes, more often, warning, the Centers for Disease Control last month warned people to stop cuddling and kissing backyard poultry because chickens may spread salmonella. Out of 163 reported cases of Salmonella, 34 people were hospitalized. Children under 5 years old make up a third of the cases. Source: NPR, May 22, 2021. Link. “Don’t … [Read more...]
3 steps to stop chickens from pecking each other
Commercial content included from Purina Poultry Though hen pecking is a natural occurrence, the nature of this behavior can change when birds spend more time inside. Understanding the difference between curious and aggressive hen pecking is key to knowing when there is a problem. Pecking is a natural chicken behavior that allows them to check out their surroundings, … [Read more...]
Mites and lice on chickens; inevitable, hazardous, but easily treated
“It’s inevitable,” says Jeremy Chartier. “Someday, no matter how careful poultry owners are or how clean they keep things, they are going to find chicken lice, mites, or both on their birds and in their coops.” Source: Backyard Poultry, April 28, 2021. Link. External parasites undermine the health of birds, and severe infestations can weaken birds to the brink of death. It … [Read more...]
Chickens in a minute; including treats (video)
Most backyard birds receive treats because it’s fun for the owners. But overdoing it is dangerous because our birds can fill up on them. Chickens only have 24 taste buds compared to our 10,000.” Source: Backyard Poultry, April 2, 2021. Link. Also see: Lesser-known facts about chickens and ducks Backyard Poultry, April 2, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Backyard poultry Salmonella update
Backyard chickens aren’t inherently bad. There’s risk and there’s reward says Scott Weese, DVM. He says disease risk is also an important consideration, so we need to figure out how to reduce risks while maximizing the benefits of pet contact. For chickens, the big risk is Salmonella. The risk of chicken-to-human transmission is very well established, and there are outbreaks … [Read more...]
4 emotions chickens may be feeling
“The sky is falling, the sky is falling,” proclaimed Henny Penny (also known as Chicken Little) in the famous Danish children’s story. Henny Penny had an anxiety attack and emotionally ran hither and yon after an acorn fell on her head. Fast forward to 2020. . . Ana Hotling brings us a more modern day look at chicken emotions flock keepers may observe on a day to day basis. … [Read more...]
Chickens, Salmonella sp. and people
Raising chickens comes with built-in health risks for them and their keepers. In the United States, the CDC reports increased popularity of backyard poultry flocks has been associated with increases in live, poultry-associated salmonella outbreaks. Arizona veterinarian Stephanie Lamb, a boarded specialist in avian medicine, discusses the ins and outs of salmonella in … [Read more...]
465 sick, 1 dead, 1/3 of sick are children – Chickens to blame
Backyard chickens can be fun and educational, but families have to be aware of how to safely manage the animals, according to the CDC. It's a little different than raising a dog or cat. The CDC sends out regular warnings about the salmonella risks from backyard flocks. Chickens should be outside animals only and while they may be cute please "don't kiss or snuggle backyard … [Read more...]
Training and education available for backyard poultry raisers
With growing interest in backyard hens, and with some towns and cities allowing residents to raise chickens in their backyards, Alberta Farm Animal Care is hosting a Backyard Chicken webinar series for beginner poultry raisers. The series covers information on flock health, handling, costs, bylaws, breeds, coop design, diseases and more. Cassandra Kirkpatrick, Urban Hen … [Read more...]
The emotional gauntlet of raising meat chickens and other livestock
One person’s chicken is another person’s dinner. It is an age-old challenge for animal owners who work hard at having healthy food animals. Consumers avoid visualizing a living, breathing animal as the source of the neat, plastic-wrapped package sliding over a scanner at the grocery. Marissa Ames provides thought-filled perspectives on raising animals for meat protein. She … [Read more...]
Chickens in a minute (video)
Sponsored content from Nutrena With Easter around the corner and farm stores getting ready for new chicks, basic chicken care questions are eminent. Consider this video for social media posts, websites and newsletters. Source: Backyard Poultry, March 2019. Link. Chickens are hardy creatures that are lower maintenance than many house pets, but they do need some basic care … [Read more...]
Backyard chicken feed growing in pet food and treat market
What started as a backyard option to get fresh eggs has quickly moved the backyard chicken from livestock to pets. The pet food industry is responding to this growing trend. Source: Petfood Industry, January 27, 2020. Link. In APPA’s survey of 10,090 current pet owners: 10 percent reported owning backyard chickens: this equates to approximately 10 million U.S. … [Read more...]
Chickens don’t like snow, but sweaters aren’t needed
Chickens hate snow, says Marissa Ames. However, they possess an amazing tolerance for cold. She shares winter preparation considerations to help chickens fare well without much squawking. Draft-free coop Good air circulation Warm bedding Fresh water Dry food and grains Something to do Source: Backyard Poultry, November 19, 2019. Link. People have kept … [Read more...]
Know the risks of mixing chickens, ducks, rabbits and goats
Animals have been kept in mixed flocks for centuries. Being aware of inherent risks or problems in mixed-animal operations is the best way to avoid problems before they occur. It is also the best way to fix problems if they happen. Source: Backyard Poultry, September 16, 2019. Link. Parasites and bacteria are easily transferred between barnyard species. Contaminated … [Read more...]
Lead contamination risks in backyard poultry
Rearing backyard chickens carries some zoonotic concerns and potential risk for the birds being exposed to chemicals or heavy metals like lead. These can get passed on to consumers through eggs or meat. Birds may pick up lead from various sources, such as contaminated water and feed. But, the main source of lead exposure for backyard poultry is likely contaminated … [Read more...]
Select chicken breeds that work best for city backyards
Persons wanting to keep chickens in urban backyards should consider breeds that can tolerate a more controlled existence. Keeping a rooster may be out of the picture, writes Pam Freeman. She discusses the benefits of sex-link chickens and shares information about bantam breeds that are preferred for smaller spaces. Source: Backyard Poultry, August 5, 2019. Link. Regardless … [Read more...]
Understanding those chatty chickens
Chickens are extremely chatty. Most chicken owners will be able to identify certain calls, however the motivations behind some chicken noises is less clear. Tamsin Cooper helps decipher intention and emotion in chicken language. Source: Backyard Poultry, June 3, 2019. Link. Chickens are highly social beings. They rely on body language and vocal calls to communicate … [Read more...]
Understanding sexlink hybrid chickens
Don Schrider delves into chicken breeds, crossbreeding and explains how sexlink chickens produce dependable gender offspring for retail locations to sell. He includes a good history of breeds and crossbreds to expand your chicken knowledge if you are unfamiliar with commercial or backyard chicken production. His information is useful for veterinary teams and retailers … [Read more...]
Keeping special chickens healthy
Jeremy Chartier writes about biosecurity pertaining to show chickens. Considering the upcoming Easter season and the realities of inexperienced backyard chicken owners, his basic biosecurity tenants apply. Note his comments about bringing chickens home and to treat everything as suspect. This applies to new chicks coming from the local farm store too. Source: Countryside … [Read more...]
Virulent Newcastle disease confirmed in U.S. backyard flock
The first case of virulent Newcastle disease in the U.S. since 2003 has been confirmed in a small flock of backyard exhibition chickens in Los Angeles County, California. In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or through USDA’s toll-free … [Read more...]
Culling and re-homing chickens aren’t always the best options
Lisa Steele shares her perspectives for aging hens after they quit laying eggs. This information can be especially helpful for backyard chicken raisers. Source: Countryside Daily, May 15, 2018. Link. Older chickens serve a purpose, says Steele. Consider: Older chickens make better broodies Older chickens make better mothers The eggs of older chickens are generally … [Read more...]
Chickens are now elite status symbols
We share this article so that we all better understand backyard chicken market challenges, especially those in Silicon Valley. Peter Holley references birds in diapers, deluxe coops outfitted with solar panels, automated doors and electrical lighting, as well as video cameras that allow owners to check on their beloved birds remotely. Source: The Washington Post, March 2, … [Read more...]
CDC begs people to stop cuddling chickens
More people are now getting salmonella for reasons we’ve noted on AHD multiple times: showing too much love for their backyard chickens. Last year, 23 percent of the people who reported contracting salmonella from homegrown fowl had recently kissed their chickens (seven percent) or snuggled them (16 percent), shares Dr. Megin Nichols. Nichols investigates salmonella and E. coli … [Read more...]
Chickens and owls don’t mix
While not the most likely of chicken predators, owls can sometimes pose a threat. Unlike skunks, raccoons, foxes and other four-footed mammals, owls and raptors are not easily discouraged by a vertical fence. Since destroying hawks, owls, falcons, eagles and kites is illegal, finding ways to discourage aerial predation remains an important management practice. Pam Freeman … [Read more...]
Backyard chicken trend causes spike in infections, 1 fatal
This article explains why we have focused heavily on backyard chicken trends. The growth of raising backyard chickens in U.S. cities and suburbs brings a soaring number of illnesses from poultry-related diseases, some of them fatal. Since January, more than 1,100 people have contracted salmonella poisoning from chickens and ducks in 48 states, according to the Centers for … [Read more...]
Groom and bathe chickens right for best results
The backyard or pet chicken population is growing. What do you do with a dirty chicken? Jeremy Chartier offers a few tips you should know since birds naturally bathe in dust baths. Source: Countryside Daily, October 3, 2017. Bathing poultry before a show is very common in the world of 4-H and other youth shows. It is necessary to get birds wet when grooming and bathing … [Read more...]