Backyard Fowl Keepers

I just had a successful hatch of seven adorable chicks! Theyre active, chirping, and doing great so far. Id love to give them a little treat, but Im unsure whats safe for them at this age. I have other birds and was wondering if something like crushed parakeet seed would be okay, or if theres a ...

I'm really worried about my hen and could use some advice. She has been acting lethargic all day, standing in one spot, looking fluffed up, and not engaging much with the rest of the flock. She is usually active and alert, so this is a big change in behavior.

A little while ago, I checked on her ...

I have a septic lagoon covered in duckweed, which I know is a great protein source. I've heard the top layer of water in a septic lagoon is relatively clean, but Im unsure if the duckweed is safe to feed to animals. My lagoon only receives overflow from a septic tank, and with just two people in ...

I'd be cautious about old studies unless they have modern verification. But experimenting is the best way to find out! Keep us posted on your hatch.

I switched to Nutrena a few months ago, and my egg production definitely improved. I personally use their Layer Crumbles instead of all-flock feed because it has the proper calcium levels for laying hens.

In my experience, hens usually leave the later eggs behind once the first chicks are running around. If you really want to save the later ones, an incubator is your best bet.

I worm my flock twice a year as a preventative. I mix Fenbendazole in their feed to make sure everyone gets the right dose.

Speckled Sussex lay reliably and are some of the friendliest birds you can get. Mine keep up production even in shorter daylight months. Plus, their feather pattern is stunning!

Try offering some apple cider vinegar in her water,it's great for digestion and general health. If the issue is crop-related, this might help balance things out.

One thing you can try is putting in some sort of drainage system, like a French drain, around the perimeter of your run. It will help channel water away from the run itself. You could also set up a sloped area where water can drain more easily. As for bedding, adding a mix of straw and wood shavings ...