Backyard Fowl Keepers

We moved our 20+ chickens into a new coop and run inside our vegetable garden since they kept jumping fences to get in. Now, I want to let them free range without destroying the garden.

My idea is to add small doors in the fences with tunnels leading out, so they cant get sidetracked by the ...

For me, Leghorns take the top spot! They lay nearly every day, even in the heat, and their white eggs are perfect.

Hi everyone,

Im raising a flock of dual-purpose chickens and trying to plan ahead for when and how to process them. Heres what I have right now:


3 Rhode Island Reds
4 Barred Plymouth Rocks
2 Buff Orpingtons
3 Black Australorps
2 Delaware
4 Wyandottes (Silver or Gold Laced ...

Im new to raising meat birds and looking for a breed that can free-range well with my layers or be penned separately but still grow at a decent rate.

I want something thats active, healthy, and able to forageunlike Cornish Cross, which require constant care and cleanup. Ideally, the breed would ...

If she consistently picks the wrong nest, you might consider moving her and the eggs into a more enclosed broody area. That could help her stay committed.

I've been around small-scale chicken flocks my whole life. My grandma had chickens, my mom had chickens, and for the past five years, I've kept a small flock of about a dozen birds. But this year is different. This year, I'm taking things to the next level.

Expanding the Flock

My little ...

It might sound weird, but have you considered using pea gravel or river rock in your run? They help with drainage and don,t get soggy. You could lay down a thick layer of these in the worst areas and top it with straw or wood chips for comfort. Just make sure the chickens can scratch through it for ...

I'm so sorry this happened! It could be a combination of things,maybe a wild animal that's been lurking nearby. The one missing chicken might have been taken by something that was able to get through your fencing. Adding extra security and watching the area closely might help.

If you want a balance between growth and sustainability, a Ranger-type bird crossed with a heavy dual-purpose hen like Australorp or Orpington could work well.

If you suspect a bacterial infection, antibiotics are a good first step. Some chicken keepers have had success with injectable Tylan for respiratory infections. If the swelling gets worse or she stops eating, she'll need urgent care.