Why should you raise backyard chickens?Chickens provide fresh eggs, quality meat, and high-nitrogen compost for the garden. They eat bugs and ticks, cost relatively little to keep, and are genuinely entertaining to have around. For most backyard keepers, the combination of practical value and daily enjoyment is what keeps them going. Once you have kept … Read more
Are free-range eggs better, and should you let your chickens roam?Free-range eggs from hens that actually spend time outdoors foraging are nutritionally superior to cage-raised eggs, with higher levels of vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and lower cholesterol. The USDA definition of “free-range” is loose enough to be nearly meaningless, so the label alone doesn’t … Read more
Chickens cluck when they are content. It is their baseline conversational sound, the vocal equivalent of a flock just going about its day. But clucking is only one small part of a surprisingly rich communication system. Chickens produce a range of vocalizations, and each one means something specific. I have kept backyard chickens for years, … Read more
Have you ever been excited about a batch of eggs in your incubator, only to find that the hatch wasn’t as successful as you’d hoped? Maybe you’re new to the hatching game and you’re trying to avoid such pitfalls. Either way, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re going to explore common egg incubation problems … Read more
You’ll be amazed to know that chickens are more than just feathery lawn ornaments. Contrary to popular belief, they’ve got a few tricks up their feathers, capable of learning and understanding in ways that might surprise you. Chickens are often underestimated. Many folks lump them into the “barnyard dullards” category, but this couldn’t be further … Read more
Bringing new chickens into your established flock can feel like a real-life game of chess, and while it’s not rocket science, it requires a bit of strategy. You can’t just toss them in and hope for the best. The social scene for chickens is a bit more complex than it seems. You might think it’s … Read more
Ever walked into your chicken coop and sensed tension thick enough to cut with a knife? Yeah, aggression among our feathered friends can bring a storm to a peaceful pen. But why does this happen? Well, chickens have a social structure known as the “pecking order,” which is totally natural. It helps keep things in … Read more
Chickens are not just feathery foragers pecking around aimlessly; they’re pretty chatty beings. “Chicken communication,” as it’s called, reveals a vast array of sounds and signals that go beyond mere clucks and crows. If you’ve ever walked through a barn or sat by a chicken coop, you’ve probably noticed that these birds have quite a … Read more
The Hen Doesn’t Always Squat for the Rooster. What a Heartbreak for Him.
Have you ever gazed lovingly at your chickens and wondered, “What’s really going on in that social scene?” A whole hierarchy thing is happening, and it’s not just random pecking and clucking. It’s called the pecking order, a fundamental part of chicken flock life. The pecking order is a social contract in chicken society. Imagine … Read more