Backyard Fowl Keepers

Hi everyone,

Im raising a flock of dual-purpose chickens and trying to plan ahead for when and how to process them. Heres what I have right now:


3 Rhode Island Reds
4 Barred Plymouth Rocks
2 Buff Orpingtons
3 Black Australorps
2 Delaware
4 Wyandottes (Silver or Gold Laced ...

You might find it harder than expected not to get attached! They're goofy birds but very different from layers. Treat them well, but keep their purpose in mind.

Foot feather irritation sounds like a real possibility, especially with Pekins. Have you checked if any feathers are bent or broken? Maybe trimming them slightly could help.

Since your flock is confined for the winter, the lack of space might be amplifying aggression. If you can't expand their area, Tatlı may need to be removed for the safety of the others. You could try supervised reintroductions after a cooling-off period, but it's risky. Some people have success ...

Some chickens vocalize more than others before bedtime. If she seems comfortable and healthy otherwise, it's probably just a random noise. Keep monitoring her. 222 Silkies and Buff Cochins get along great! Both are gentle, but watch that Silkies get enough food since Cochins are bigger.

I let my flock in the garden every fall! They eat bugs, scratch up weeds, and fertilize as they go. Just avoid letting them near crops you'll harvest soon.

It sounds like your setup is well-prepared for heat management, so Orpingtons could still work. They love attention and are great for families. However, Australorps are more resilient, lay more consistently, and require less special care in hot weather. Either breed will fit nicely in your flock ...

If she's lethargic and not pooping, she could be suffering from a digestive blockage or an infection. Try offering a bit of water with electrolytes to help perk her up.

My hens are 4 years old, and Ive noticed some irregularities in their laying patterns this season. One hen, who molted last year, was laying consistently this fall until we had a severe cold spell. I expected a pause in egg production due to the weather, but even though the temperatures have ...

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 backyard ...