When the winter chill blankets the landscape with snow, backyard chicken keepers might worry that their feathered friends are feeling cooped up. Snow days can be exciting for humans, especially children, but chickens will stop their normal foraging activities, affecting their mood and health. Ensuring chickens remain active and engaged during these frosty days is …
Raising Chickens
The scaly leg mite is a common parasite found in backyard chicken flocks. Let’s discuss the signs, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of scaly leg mites in chickens. What Are Scaly Leg Mites? Scaly leg mites (Knemidocoptes mutans) are external, burrowing parasitic mites that live on the legs of chickens. They are round with four legs …
Worms are a common ailment in backyard flocks. As a chicken owner, it’s scary when your babies aren’t doing well. In this article, we will discuss the 6 most common types of worms in chickens, how to detect and treat them and prevent them from coming back. Common Types of Worms in Chickens It’s so …
Do you need a rooster in your flock? I get asked this question a lot in my Facebook group and the answer is not always black and white. There are definitely pros and cons to having a rooster in your flock. Let’s talk about them before you decide. Do You Need A Rooster In Your …
Baby chicks are so cute! These days, many families are choosing to raise chickens in their backyards. If you are homesteading or starting your tiny backyard farm, raising chicks is something you might need to know about. You may already have egg-laying chickens or maybe planning to get baby chicks for the first time. But …
There is nothing more beneficial to your homestead than a broody hen. Watching a mama hen nurture and raise baby chicks is a joy and an integral part of self-sustainability. As you become more familiar with chickens and you watch your flock grow up, you may notice one or two (or more) of your hens …
When raising chickens you will run into all kinds of different scenarios, health-wise and otherwise. Let’s discuss treating bumblefoot in chickens because it is something you will most likely have to deal with at some point in your chicken-keeping adventure. Bumblefoot in Chickens Guide What is bumblefoot? Bumblefoot, or plantar pododermatitis, is essentially an abscess …
If you are a new chicken owner and have been browsing the various chicken groups online, you’ve probably come across a few discussions on Coccidia in young birds. Let’s discuss coccidiosis in chickens: the causes, treatments, and cures. If you’re new to raising chickens, and want to learn more, this book is a great start! All …
Along with owning chickens comes some new territory as far as illness and disease go. Learning about some of the more common diseases will help you to gain a better understanding of what to look for and how to tackle them should they arise. Marek’s disease in chickens is one of the most common illnesses found …
Flies, the ever-present pests of summer … And if you own chickens, you know just how annoying they can be. If you wonder how to get rid of flies in the chicken coop, you’ll love our list of easy ways to take control of the fly population so you can have happy chickens! How To …