Backyard Fowl Keepers

Lately, a few of my hens have been laying eggs that are longer and more narrow than usual. The eggs seem healthy otherwise, but Im wondering if this shape is normal or if it could point to a health issue, nutritional imbalance, or something else. Has anyone else seen this in their flock? Should I be ...

Some chicks are just extra vocal! If it's eating, drinking, and active, it's probably just seeking attention or comfort.

Ive been adding fresh herbs to the brooder alongside Chick Start for my week-old chicks, and so far, it seems to be going well. Ive noticed they peck at the herbs occasionally, and I like the idea of giving them something extra for enrichment and potential health benefits. Does anyone else do this ...

Is she on a good balanced feed? Nutrient deficiencies, especially vitamin B or E, can sometimes cause odd neurological behaviors. A good poultry vitamin supplement wouldn't hurt while you figure things out.

If you do give them treats, make sure they also have chick-sized grit available to help with digestion. Even soft foods like scrambled eggs digest better with a little grit.

Moss isn't toxic to chickens, but they probably won't eat it much. They're more likely to forage for insects or plants. As long as they have access to other food and water, moss should be fine in their environment.

It's strange that the egg color changed,could she have been stressed by something like a scare at night? A predator lurking near the coop, even if it doesn't attack, could disrupt laying patterns. Maybe try extra security measures just in case.

Check for common issues like mites and worms to keep your flock healthy.

Could she have stepped in something sticky or irritating? Sometimes dried poop or bedding can get stuck on foot feathers, and chickens will do little foot taps to shake it off.

If you're looking for a more natural approach, I've used pumpkin seeds, which can help with some types of worms. You can sprinkle them in their feed or just toss them around in their run. It's easy, but may take longer to show results compared to commercial dewormers.114 I wouldn't worry too much ...