Raising chickens in winter has its challenges and with an avian flu surge predicted, preparing flocks for the colder months now is good common sense. The author offers six tips for fall flock preparation to help chickens enter the winter season in good health. Source: Backyard Poultry, September 9, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider this article for social media and … [Read more...]
Why ducks don’t freeze their feet
Kenny Coogan explains the countercurrent adaptation that keeps birds’ feet from freezing in ice cold water, standing on the ice and even standing in very hot water without damage. Source: Backyard Poultry, October 26, 2021. Link. Countercurrent heat exchange systems enable many species of birds to keep their feet submerged in icy cold water or the ability to stand on ice for … [Read more...]
Forget a rooster rescue, create a bachelor pad instead
Backyard poultry raisers often find themselves with too many roosters. The ideal ratio of roosters to hens is one rooster to 10 hens. Too many roosters can create havoc in a flock. Chris Thompson shares alternatives to rooster culling, rehoming or relinquishing excess roosters to a rescue. He writes about separate housing for roosters noting sequestering birds in a bachelor … [Read more...]
12 fascinating facts about roosters
Pam Freeman shares interesting facts about roosters. Even chicken enthusiasts may not know: Rooster reproduction is driven by the sun Roosters are not always in charge, but do keep order among the hens You can have more than one rooster Source: Backyard Poultry, May 31, 2022. Link. A rooster is not needed to have chicken eggs. Hens will lay eggs regardless of … [Read more...]
Dark shadows and the neighbor’s new chicken coop
Personal experience A neighbor has constructed and populated a small backyard chicken coop about 100 yards from the back fence in my yard. Within a few days, I saw more hawks and owls circling the area, resting in the tall oaks and casting shadows as they flew over our neighborhood. Startled by the shadow of a swooping red-tail hawk I watched a massive one dive-bomb … [Read more...]
The cute factor is almost too much to resist
Janet Garman shares what to know when buying baby chicks, ducklings and bunnies. There is a lot to consider before making an impulse decision. Those cute little balls of fluff are a lifetime commitment, at least the expected lifetime of the animal.” – Janet Garman Source: Backyard Poultry, March 29, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider sharing this article on social media and in … [Read more...]
How eggs get their color
Easter egg coloring is still popular. Coloring can be done a variety of ways including choosing different breeds of chickens. Source: Backyard Poultry, July 4, 2021. Link. Also see: Do hens need roosters to lay eggs? Hobby Farms, March 16, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Best temperatures for chicks, keeping them healthy and more
Baby chicks need heat without their mother hens, says Marissa Ames. Over the years we’ve shared various resources about baby chick care, stewardship and care. A few of those links are listed here. Much of the information is evergreen and applicable as people bring home chicks and ducklings this spring. Sources: It’s all about the heat, Backyard Poultry, February 26, … [Read more...]
What’s killing the chickens?
Wildlife predators are keeping close to dens in February as they anticipate new litters in March and April. Backyard poultry locations and pet food bowls left outside are easy targets for sustained nutrition during gestation and after litters are born. Gail Damerow shares ways to examine where, how and when a bird turns up dead or missing. Missing eggs are often an early … [Read more...]
Raising emus and emus as pets (video)
Sharing her experiences with raising emus, Alexandra Douglas found that emus make the best pets when they are young. Emus are very dangerous if you do not understand them, she says. Male birds are friendlier at least until breeding season. Emus are sociable creatures, they like water and do best with at least one other emu in their flock. Source: Backyard Poultry, February … [Read more...]
Winter, chickens and predators: tips to keep flocks safe
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...]
Heated waterers keep poultry water from freezing
Commercial Content A heated chicken waterer can help make winter care a little easier for poultry keepers. The author shares some popular styles of heated chicken waterers. They are simple to use, plug into a standard electrical outlet, and are inexpensive to run. Source: Backyard Poultry, November 15, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Chicken frostbite. Treatment & prevention.
It takes about 10 minutes in below-freezing temperatures to cause chicken frostbite. The most vulnerable parts for chickens are the combs and wattles writes Mary Christiansen. She also shares ways to prevent damage to those exposed, featherless feet. Source: Backyard Poultry, November 2, 2021. Link. Also see: Why chickens’ legs do not get cold in winter, The Omlet Blog. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 21, 2021
Last week’s. . . . . . most read post Grain-free? Grain-ful? The Chatfields discuss pet food choices. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin - Oct 14, 2021. Link. Label pea-protein cat food as not for ferrets, vet says Source: Petfood Industry, October 11, 2021. Link. Bladder stones in ferrets may be related to diets containing … [Read more...]
Ditch the stink. Mitigate ammonia.
Ammonia in chicken litter can be a health issue for birds and a neighborhood nuisance. too. It is a concern, regardless the size of the poultry operation. Backyard poultry raisers sometimes get behind doing chores as fall activities, shorter days and having kids back in school make maintenance more difficult. Jeremy Chartier discusses how to make the ammonia stink go … [Read more...]
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...]
History of the Bantam chicken
At about a third the size of an average chicken, Bantam chickens have sometimes caused people to question if Bantams are real chickens. Don Schrider shares the history of Bantams and says they are indeed real chickens. Source: Backyard Poultry, August 31, 2021. Link. Bantams are about a third the size of large fowl, eat much less, need smaller pens, and more of them can be … [Read more...]
Preparing for show season
For animal enthusiasts, livestock shows and fair events will kick off within the next six weeks. While veterinary teams provide health checks and certifications, animal health pros’ expertise will be valued beyond services and tactics. Given the increasing popularity of backyard rabbits, chickens and goats, the audience for show season preparation is not solely livestock … [Read more...]
Hot chicken: good on a plate, dangerous in the coop
Heat exhaustion, heat stroke or even death are real dangers to chickens when temperatures rise. They don’t sweat like humans and are limited in their ability to cool down. Lots of shade and cool water help immensely. The effects of heat exhaustion are cumulative, says Lisa Steele. Several days of temperatures above 80 degrees, especially with high humidity, can negatively … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 3, 2021
Last week’s most read posts – these two posts tied for most read These 8 expressions can make you sound insensitive at work: Source: Animal Health Digest, May 25, 2021. Link. Flexible workforces in veterinary practices might include aging boomers: Source: Animal Health Digest, May 25, 2021. Link. Best dog bones for tough chewers Source: Puppies and Pooches, … [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...]
Worth a Glance – May 13, 2021
NOTE: When it is time to catch up on your reading or recall something you scanned, try the AHD Archives on the right side of the AHD website. Such as: Archives for April 2021. Link. Last week’s top post Eating less meat won’t save the planet. Here’s why. Source: Animal Health Digest, May 4, 2021. Link. What my Mother’s death taught … [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...]
This ain’t chicken feed
While poultry enthusiasts may be working for idiomatic chicken feed, there are recommended steps to decide what to feed chickens. Janet Garman helps make sense of all the choices. Source: Backyard Poultry, March 18, 2021. Link. The first consideration for what to feed chickens is their nutritional requirements. Chickens need protein, carbohydrates, and fats, along with the … [Read more...]
Sick chicks: 7 common illnesses you may encounter
Recognized, quick treatment can save sick chicks. Most common illnesses are preventable if good practices are followed when caring for baby chicks. Clean coops and isolating new birds help prevent disease in the flock.” Source: Backyard Poultry, March 12, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Blood in a chicken egg doesn’t mean it’s fertilized
Blood in a chicken egg is often believed to signify it is fertile. This isn’t true. In fact, the true sign that an egg is fertile is a white “bullseye” on the yolk. The blood spot is only a ruptured vessel and they are perfectly edible. Source: Backyard Poultry, February 22, 2021. Link. Different colored chicken eggs all taste the same and look the same inside. The taste of … [Read more...]
Year-round chicken care calendar featured
Kenny Coogan provides a chronological guide for chicken care. It shows the commitment required to manage a flock. With Easter coming soon, this is a good resource to use on social media and in newsletters. Source: Backyard Poultry, February 7, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Dispose of dead poultry properly
It is inevitable animals die. Whether by disease, predator attacks or inclement weather, getting rid of the remaining carcasses is a challenge for owners. Ann Accetta-Scott writes about disposal and major factors to consider. It’s not as simple as burying dead animal bodies. Source: Backyard Poultry, July 2020. Link. . . . the death of a chicken or entire flock requires … [Read more...]
Pros and cons of chicken coop heating
Jeremy Chartier recommends setting chicken coop heating to about 40oF to help chickens continue to lay eggs, keep eggs from freezing and have liquidwater to drink. Source: Backyard Poultry, November 16, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]