Over time, treading can result in feather loss to both areas of the hen’s back.

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The following photo presentation pairs images depicting embryo development from the inside, with my own photos of candled eggs throughout the 21 chicken egg incubation period.

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Chickens at different stages of development require different feed formulations.

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Conventional wisdom suggests that broodiness can be discouraged by keeping eggs out of a hen’s sight. Collecting eggs frequently from nest boxes and hanging nest box curtains are two suggested ways of accomplishing this.

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Be creative with nest boxes, the options are limitless: clean, empty kitty litter containers, 5 gallon buckets, baskets and upcycled televisions and computer monitors all work for laying hens!

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That fermented feed has many benefits for chickens is undisputed; many studies have been done and books and articles written documenting the value of fermentation for poultry, so I'm not going to re-invent the wheel here. This article outlines the basic benefits of feed fermentation for backyard chickens and shows how to do it in 3 easy steps. Fermenting is easy and the advantages for chickens, significant.

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I never intended to hatch my own chicks but chicken math has no regard for my plans. My hatching addiction started innocently enough with a request for a Brinsea incubator for my birthday a few years ago. After witnessing the miracle of my first chick hatching, I had The Fever, for which there is no cure. The idea that an egg can transform from potential breakfast food into fluffy cuteness in 21 days completely captivates me.

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Chickens at different stages of development require different feed formulations. Commercially prepared rations are a nutritionally balanced food source; poultry nutritionists formulate feed to ensure that chickens get all the nutrition they need daily, therefore, anything that is added to the diet dilutes the nutrient balance they should be getting daily. Even healthy snacks should only be given in moderation so as not to tip the balance, or scale, too far in any direction.

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Check out the "March Madness" $99 Flat Rate Shipping Special on Hobbit Hole Playhouses and Chicken Coops!

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Scientific studies demonstrate a noticeable gain in egg quantity & quality, including improved eggshell strength from using humic acid based supplements such as Big Ole' Bird probiotics!

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This article addresses the basic guidelines to follow for caring for a sick chicken.

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What IS the Deep Litter Method? (aka: Built-Up Litter System) Deep litter is a method of chicken waste management that calls for droppings and bedding material to compost inside the chicken coop instead of being cleaned out and replaced regularly. With the deep litter method, a carbon-based litter such as pine shavings absorbs nitrogen from chicken droppings, which ferments in an odor-free process to produce a rich, valuable humus just as in a traditional compost pile.

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The first time I felt a chicken’s crop, I was sure my hen had an abdominal tumor. I know I am not alone in the accidental discovery of a chicken’s crop because many of you have shared similar experiences with me. Let’s take a look at the crop’s location, function and two common problems that can arise in the crop: sour crop and impacted crop.

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The following photo presentation pairs images depicting embryo development from the inside, with my own photos of candled eggs throughout the 21 chicken egg incubation period.

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If herbal or other dietary supports have not already been a part of a chicken’s regular routine, they should not be offered during an illness. Work on building a healthy immune system after the chicken's health crisis has passed.

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My attempt to keep traditional chick waterers cleaner longer was to fashion a simple riser to get the water up out of the way of the litter and out of the way of chick butts. Four bends in a piece of hardware cloth is all it takes to create the riser.

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Coccidiosis is one of the common diseases in chickens and one that every chicken keeper should know about before the first chick's feet hit the brooder floor. With a little common sense and good flock management practices, cocci can be controlled and easily treated when necessary.

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CHICKEN CRACK BOTTLES Use a 1/2" drill bit to drill holes in empty plastic bottles, add chicken scratch (aka: chicken crack) and watch the fun break out! Provide several bottles to the flock at once to avoid conflict & fowl penalties.

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The following are general guidelines for what to watch for and how to help prepare a chicken to lay her first egg.

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Valley Hatchery baby chick giveaway at www.The-Chicken-C...

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Egg irregularities from backyard chickens are very common. The occasional strange-looking egg from a hen is to be expected. Take a picture of it, discuss it at the water cooler next day, but don't worry too much about it- the vast majority of the time they do not indicate a serious problem.

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How to Help a Sick Chicken

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Chicken Coop Design Essentials, Details

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Nest boxes sharing is normal and expected, but 3-4 hens per nest is a recipe for broken eggs, egg-eating and pecking injuries. The stress of competing for a nest is also likely to put the kibosh on egg-laying for weeks- I knew that to avoid these problems I needed to add more temporary nest boxes than the one I already had on the floor of the coop. So, I resorted to what any self-respecting do-it-yourselfer would do in this situation: I took a trip to the local landfill for inspiration.

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"Culling" technically means to eliminate or remove from the flock, but the term is often used as a sanitized synonym for "kill." However, for most chicken-keepers, culling is considered the last resort and making a beloved pet the guest of honor at the dinner table, unthinkable.

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New and Improved Breakfast of Champion Layers

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Securely tie sturdy string around a cabbage and hang it securely at chicken eye level for hours of swinging fun!

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If utilizing a hygrometer inside the chicken coop, the target relative humidity is 50-70%

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Make a Kale Cranberry wreath for the chickens with a 44" x 10" piece of chicken wire. Roll the chicken wire into a tube and connect the ends. Bend back any protruding wire to avoid anyone getting poked while pecking. Stuff the wreath form with kale and cranberries and serve.

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Whenever chickens are suddenly confined to spaces smaller than they ordinarily enjoy, boredom and behavioral problems such as feather picking, and egg-eating can result. By having some go-to boredom busters up one's sleeve in lousy weather, chickens can be kept busy, entertained and happy until Mother Nature gets her act together.

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