I think most people don’t give much thought to the animal language around them. People are very busy creatures – always working, taking care of their families, taking care of their selves… Sometimes, it can seem like we humans are the only things that matter. But there is a world of wild and semi-wild creatures … Read more
There are few things that make your skin crawl more than the thought of lice. There are many types of lice and the ones we are going to discuss are the chicken-infecting kind. Don’t worry. If your chickens get lice, you are not going get them on you. Chicken lice like chickens, not people. That’s … Read more
I’m a live-and-let-live kind of guy. If I see something a little out of the ordinary, let’s say, and it isn’t hurting anybody, I tend to look the other way. Finding a few chickens tucked away in a basement where they can’t be seen by the public is not something that you see every day. … Read more
One late afternoon several years ago, I arrived at home to find that there had been a massacre of my flock. There were chickens everywhere – on the lawn, in the weeds, over the embankment. It was brutal. Many foxes live in my area, and when they have kits, they become killing machines. One lucky … Read more
When it comes to breakfast, if you asked someone what three foods come to mind when you think about breakfast, I’m willing to bet that 9 times out of 10, eggs are going to be in the top 3. Two-thirds of the breakfast menu items at that place with the gold-colored arches contain eggs. It’s … Read more
If you have ever shopped for baby chicks at a store where you could actually see them, you probably noticed that one or two of the little puffballs had a sore spot. Maybe you even saw some blood. The occasion might have been a little disconcerting because it might have seemed like all the other … Read more
There are many new chicken owners these days. There has been an upsurge in the farm to table movement of late, and chickens have been a part of it. More and more people want organic, and fresh, and locally grown, and locally raised, etc. Cage-raised eggs are taboo. Cage free and free-range are terms on … Read more
When I was around 12 years of age, my father brought home ten chickens that had stopped laying. Being a thrifty fellow, he thought it would be a good idea to put these birds in the freezer to feed the family as the occasion arose. He put the birds on a chopping block and, one … Read more
One day earlier this year, in the spring, I decided to stop by the local tractor supply to look at the baby chicks that they had for sale. I had already purchased some chicks for the year, but I never tire of watching the little ones running around in their brooders. There were two birds … Read more
The best way to ensure your chickens’ health is to keep things clean. Water needs to be fresh. Feed bins need to be closed to rodents and other pests. Nesting boxes, brooders, and coops need to be regularly hoed out and checked for infestation. But sometimes, Mother Nature winds up and throws a fastball of … Read more