Backyard Fowl Keepers

Some chickens prefer drier fermented feed. Instead of a soupy mix, try draining excess liquid and see if that helps with your picky eater.

I usually start hand-turning on day 2 or 3 with shipped eggs. Letting them rest upright for a bit helps prevent further air cell damage.

Ive heard a lot about backyard poultry being great for keeping bugs in check, and Im curious about everyones experiences!
Do you let your flock free-range in your garden or yard to help control pests like grasshoppers, beetles, or slugs?
Have you noticed a big difference in pest populations ...

If she leaves the later eggs behind, you can try putting them under another broody or even a heat lamp if you don't have an incubator. It's tricky but not impossible.

I always leave the seeds in the compost. They either get eaten or break down. If you're getting too many sprouts or issues with them later, you can always sieve them out, but it's generally not a major problem. Just make sure the compost is well-mixed and gets enough heat to break down everything ...

In winter, I sprout wheat or barley for my hens. Sprouted grains are more nutritious and stretch feed further. Have you looked into fodder systems?

In my experience, vinegar does enough for regular cleaning, especially if you clean often. I only use bleach if there's a serious need for it. As for bedding, I've had similar issues with the deep litter method, but I found it helped when I added more bedding and used a larger area for them to roam ...

Leghorns are one of the most prolific egg layers, but they can be a little skittish.

If you're looking for high egg production and don't mind a more independent breed, they are a great choice. They thrive in warm climates and require little maintenance.