Backyard Fowl Keepers

A solar dehydrator could be your best bet if you want to avoid oven smells. Freezing is fine, but caterpillars might burst when thawed. Maybe try feeding them frozen,chickens might like the cold treat!

Hey everyone! Im a bit worried about my 9-month-old Black Australorp hen. For the past couple of weeks, Ive noticed undigested feed in her poop it looks kind of like mushy feed, not her usual droppings.

On top of that, her comb has gotten pale at the top, and shes been a lot less active. Shes ...

I wouldn't skip insulation if you live in a place like the Pacific Northwest, as winters can be pretty harsh, and the metal can become freezing. However, if you,re set on not insulating, focus on ventilation. For a 20' container, aim for 1-2 square feet of vent space per 5 chickens. Position the ...

Roosters offer unique clues. Young cockerels develop larger combs and wattles faster than hens and typically begin crowing around 8-16 weeks. If a rooster has long, sharp spurs, he's likely over a year old. Older roosters may develop rougher leg scales and show signs of feather wear, especially ...

The hen will move on quickly, but the chicks might take a little time to adjust to life without her warmth and guidance.

If she's otherwise active, eating, and looking healthy, I wouldn't worry too much. Some hens just take their time getting back into the swing of things.

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 ...

My Marans looked beautiful, and their eggs were stunning, but the hens were so aggressive! I couldn’t believe how often they picked fights with the rest of the flock.