Backyard Fowl Keepers

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 ...

An incubator works great for larger or staggered hatches. But broody hens offer natural warmth, protection, and guidance that's hard to replicate.

I cant wait for my upcoming spring hatchdefinitely need something to look forward to during this long, cold winter!

Ive ordered:
- 8 Cream Legbars (breeder specializes in cream, but also has some opal and crele lines)
- 6 Mosaics
- 5 Swedish Flower Hens
- 7 Marans (could be black, blue, or ...

If you want lap chickens, go Orpingtons. If you want hardy layers, Australorps. Your setup sounds great for either breed!

I'd check for signs of respiratory issues, believe it or not! Reproductive health and respiratory health are connected, and sometimes odd egg shapes can be an early indicator. If the hen seems totally healthy otherwise , no wheezing, sneezing, or lethargy , it's probably just a fluke or her unique ...

Keep an eye on pecking order,bullying can happen in small flocks.

It sounds like she might be dealing with something like Marek's Disease or possibly a crop issue. A full crop should not stay empty, so I'd definitely take a look at that. If she's still drinking, that's a good sign, but it might be worth checking for any other symptoms like swelling or respiratory ...

This sounds like a stressful situation for both you and your hen, but it seems like you handled it well! Yes, chickens can get constipated, though it's not very common. Usually, it's caused by dehydration, stress, or an imbalance in their diet. It's great that you gave her a soak to help her pass ...

I have a section of my yard that's dedicated to chicken-friendly plants. I grow clover, alfalfa, and sunflowers for them. It's been great for their health and has helped boost egg production. I recommend giving it a try!

When it comes to storing eggs before setting them in the incubator, it's generally recommended not to leave them out for more than 7 days. If possible, store them in a cool, dry place (around 50-60°F). If the eggs are fresh and collected in the past few days, they should be fine as long as they are ...