Raising a flock of chickens can be a lot of work, and the same goes for incubating and hatching eggs. If you aren’t having your hens sit on the eggs and turn them regularly, there are two other ways for incubating; the dry and traditional methods. The dry technique has become more popular as improper…
Knowing if you have a fertilized egg or not can be tricky, especially if you aren’t sure what to look for. Many farmers and backyard chicken raisers have gotten pretty good at knowing how to tell when an egg has a potential chick growing inside of it. From candling to just cracking them open, there…
The incubation process is truly a delicate one and requires quite a bit of attention. While chicks are trying to hatch, it is key that the humidity and environment are where they should be, otherwise, disaster could strike and your chicks could fail to emerge from their shells. Which no one wants that! During the…
Many folks don’t consider chickens to be like other birds, such as parrots or crows, and are typically thought to be somewhat dumb and void of much personality. The truth is, chickens are highly emotional and display as much intelligence as other species that are believed to be smart. But that raises the question: do…
Starting the process of raising a flock of chickens can seem complicated and maybe a little costly at first. There are many financial factors that need to be considered when you are preparing yourself for your first flock of hens, like the coop, food and bedding. But then there is the question of how much…
Chickens can be fun and rewarding but also messy. They will get poop and dirt on anything without much care in the world, even when it’s their water or food supply. Keeping these things clean can be a challenge if you don’t have the proper containers. When their food or water is left in a…
There are hundreds of chicken breeds to choose from when you are wanting to start a flock, but some are, by far, more popular or commonly seen than others. Every chicken has its own unique purpose and reasons for why people prefer some breeds over others. But what is the most common breed of chicken?…
A chicken coop should be a place of protection, comfort and warmth. Especially during the winter! Preparing yourself and your chooks for the harsh elements of the colder months can be stressful. While nature gifted our chickens with feathers for their own warmth, the next question is: does the coop have to be insulated as…
Roosters are just like any other creature or living thing on earth, eventually, their life will run their course. I know that I’ve found myself wondering how long a rooster’s lifespan is, especially when I have one shipped to me by accident with a group of chicks that were all meant to be hens. While…
Many new chicken raisers become concerned when one of their hens produces a soft-shelled or shell-less egg. If this happens to you, try not to panic! These things do happen and there certainly are explanations for them, usually reversible and other times not so much. A chicken will lay a shell-less egg because they are…