Backyard Fowl Keepers

Hatchery mix-ups happen more than they should! If you're seeing early saddle feathers, it's likely they are cockerels. Some hatcheries will refund or replace if they sent you the wrong sex.

Ventilation is crucial, but placement matters. A well-designed cupola should allow warm air to escape without creating drafts that could harm the chickens in winter.

What if it works, but only under specific conditions like humidity, egg shape, or breed? There might be hidden factors at play here. Would love to see your final hatch numbers!

Virkon S is highly effective, but rinsing is usually recommended for food/water areas. If you're letting the coop sit for months, drying alone should be fine. Oxine is another great option.

My friend has two mature roosters that were raised together in a flock with hens. Unfortunately, theyve started overbreeding and stressing the hens, likely because there arent enough to go around. Separating them seems like the best option, but rehoming or culling them is not on the table.

The plan ...

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 ...

For me, I feed mine outside because it encourages natural behavior and keeps the coop cleaner. Plus, I can always move the food around if they start getting too picky about where they eat.

It's doable, but not ideal. Cornish Cross and layers have very different growth rates and feeding needs. If you start them together, just be prepared to separate once the Cornish Cross get too big to share space with the layers.

If he's avoiding food, try offering something enticing like warm mash. Dehydration can also make symptoms worse,check if he's drinking properly.

We use the deep litter method in our coop and recently started adding fresh wood chips from a local arborist. Most of the chips were maple with green leaves, so weve let them dry before use.

Recently, we dug into the center of the pileit was bone dry and smelled sweet and earthy, likely from fungi ...