What are some plants toxic to chickens?Several common garden and ornamental plants are toxic to chickens, including foxglove, oleander, yew, lily of the valley, rhododendrons, azaleas, plants in the nightshade family (tomato and potato leaves, green potatoes, unripe tomatoes), daffodil bulbs, and avocado. Symptoms of poisoning include lethargy, diarrhea, convulsions, and, in severe cases, sudden … Read more
What do different chicken sounds mean?Chickens have a surprisingly complex vocal system. Chicken communication sounds include the egg song after laying, urgent alarm calls for predators, contented clucking during foraging, broody hen growls when disturbed on the nest, rooster crowing for territory and alerts, and baby chick peeping for warmth and attention. Learning to recognize … Read more
If you think diagnosing a sneeze or cough in a human is tricky, try figuring out why your chicken is acting “fowl.” You may not need a Ph.D. in Poultry Science to raise a flock, but a basic understanding of disease in chickens is a must for every backyard hobbyist. This blog post aims to … Read more
