We found 88 results for category 'Chicken Care'

Q: I want to sell the eggs from my chicks as "organic". Are your chicks organic? A: "Certified organic" regulations vary from state to state and region to region, and (thus far) do not have to do with the way chicks are hatched.... read more

Q: Is it okay to heat my coop in the winter? I don't want my flock to suffer! A: We really don't recommend you heat your coop - seriously! Our feeling is this isn't a good idea. Chickens adapt to the cold weather over time. Their... read more

Q: Should I get my birds vaccinated? A: Marek's disease is a deadly, highly contagious "lymphoproliferative" disease affecting chickens. It is the #1 disease-related killer of chickens. It... read more

Q: I bought hens somewhere else and I want to know how old they are. How can I tell? A: It is very difficult to discern the age of an adult chicken; the best you can do is make an educated guess. The number of eggs it lays in relation to... read more

Q: Do I need to give my hens oyster shell or supplemental calcium? A: If your hens have a good, "complete" layer feed, they may not ever need read more

Q: At what age do hens start laying eggs?

A: On average, pullets, or juvenile hens, start laying eggs at about 6 months of age, depending on the breed. Larger, heavier birds like Wyandottes,... read more

Q: There's a black spot or thin string attached to my brand new chick's rear. Is this a "pasty butt"?

A: No! It's your chick's umbilical cord, and if you notice, that black, scabby spot or string will be below your check's vent or "pooper." Pasting... read more

Q: There is a black spot on my chicken's face! Should I be worried?

A: When a chicken gets a peck or a scrape on a comb or face, this will manifest as a black spot or scab, and isn't usually a cause for concern. If ALL... read more

Q: There are hawks or owls in our area. Will our chickens be safe?

A: Hawks can most certainly be a danger to chickens (heck, even CROWS can be a danger to juveniles or bantams). However, only a few types usually bother... read more

Q: It's time to move my 5 week-old chicks to their outdoor coop, but it's cold outside! Will they be okay?

A: Sudden temperature changes are a real danger to your birds. You will need to make sure their transition outside doesn't shock them. Although chickens... read more

Q: My chickens are 7 months old and I still haven't seen an egg. Why?

A: First, you should make sure they are on a good chicken feed. Once they have begun laying, switch to layer pellet or crumble; until then, feed them... read more

Q: My chickens run away whenever they see me. Can I tame them?

A: In general, chickens can be tamable and friendly by the same sorts of general methods you would use with a dog or a cat. Presuming they are healthy... read more

Q: How much feed should I give my chickens each day?

A: We recommend feeding "free choice"; that is, letting them eat as much layer feed as they want and leaving their feeder out at all times (although you... read more

Q: I'm trying to figure the expenses of keeping chickens, so can you tell me how much I will spend per month on feed?

A: A basic estimate is that chickens will eat 1/4 pound per day per chicken. However, that estimate is based on the conditions commercial layers face in... read more

Q: What is the best way to wash and store my eggs?

A: It's counter-intuitive but true: Your eggs will stay fresher if you don't wash them at all. When your hens lay eggs, there is a natural coating that... read more

Q: How do I care for a wounded chicken?

A: It is stressful to have a hurt chicken because an avian veterinarian can be hard to find, but don't panic. If you can't locate a vet, simple first... read more

Q: Can I hatch the eggs of my chickens if the rooster and hen are different breeds?

A: There are no problems associated with hatching mixed breed chickens. If you have a rooster in your flock, he will try to breed ALL your hens,... read more

Q: What type of bedding or litter should I use for my chickens?

A: Bedding is an important part of keeping your chickens happy and healthy. On the coop floor the bedding will provide a soft surface for your chickens... read more

Q: Do I need to give my shipped chicks vitamins and electrolytes when they arrive?

A: We don't generally think it is a good idea to offer anything but plain, clean water unless your chicks are exceedingly stressed. When chicks are put... read more

Q: Is there a way to tell if my chicken is happy or sad?

A: Chickens that are happy will be active and scratching around in the grass, laying in the sun--yes, they do that, too!--or taking a bath in the dirt.... read more

Q: What is medicated feed all about--do I need it?

A: Medicated feed is formulated for chicks to help them combat coccidiosis, a disease that is found just about everywhere in the environment. Most... read more

Q: Why don't you offer vaccinations for bantams?

A: The reason we don't offer vaccinations for bantams is that the vaccine is often ineffective for them because the birds are so tiny that it is too... read more

Q: How long do hens lay eggs ?

A: Chickens usually don't simply "stop" laying eggs when they get to a certain age, but they will lay fewer as they get older. That said, most laying... read more

Q: Should I let my chickens free range? I'm worried about predators.

A: If you allow your chickens to range freely, you WILL lose some to predators-- make no mistake. It can be devastating, especially to those of us with... read more

Q: What are the signs of mites or lice and how do I treat my birds if they have an infestation?

A: Mites and lice are a common problem for chickens and can be carried in by wild birds, so if you have an infestation, it doesn't necessarily mean your... read more

Q: How can I help my young children understand the wait to have our baby chicks are delivered?

A: There are a few things you can do together to help ease the frustration of waiting!

One thing you can do with a child when waiting something... read more

Q: Why does my hen sometimes lay eggs with ridges halfway down the shell?

A: You may be describing what is called a "body checked egg." Body checks are ridges or grooves that occur around an egg, usually at the pointed end.... read more

Q: I just found a little dark spot in my hen's egg, but I don't even have a rooster! How can this happen?

A: These spots aren't related to having a rooster--or not!--in your flock. Presuming they are fertile, eggs with blood or meat spots are actually less... read more

Q: What does the word " broody " mean?

A: When a hen is broody, that means she wants to hatch her eggs. A breed known as broody has hens that often, individually go broody, and they may not... read more

Q: Why did my chicken lay a shell-less egg?

A: Chickens need a lot of calcium to create good, hard shells, so most incidences of shell-less eggs in an adult hens are related to not having enough... read more

Q: Why are the whites of my chickens' eggs watery?

A: Usually the whites of very fresh eggs such as you may gather from your own flock will be very thick in comparison to what you may be used to seeing... read more

Q: The whites of my chickens' eggs are a funny color--what does that mean?

A: Cloudy whites in a farm egg are usually indicative of its freshness. The cloudiness is caused by dissolved carbon dioxide in the white, which... read more

Q: At what age does a rooster begin crowing?

A: The age a rooster will first crow varies, but generally speaking, he will begin crowing at about four or five months of age. We have seen roosters... read more

Q: Are there signs that a hen may be laying?

A: If you are looking for visual signs that your young pullet is getting ready to come into lay, those might include the fact that her comb will get... read more

Q: Do chickens have a language?

A: In many ways they do. Chickens can make a very wide range of sounds, and they communicate amongst each other well.

Roosters can sing... read more

Q: Do my chickens need to be wormed, and if so, what schedule should I use?

A: If your chickens have worms, you will want to treat them. Some signs you can look for at home are pale combs, a drop in laying and watery poo.... read more

Q: My hen has sticky, tar-looking poop--is there anything wrong?

A: Probably not. Chickens actually produce two types of poo: fecal poo and cecal poo. Cecal poo is thicker, stinkier and stickier. It usually looks sort... read more

Q: How long do chickens live?

A: Naturally, this will depend on the conditions under which they're kept. Factory farms slaughter their egg layers at one or two years old, because... read more

Q: What is molting?

A: Molting occurs once a year in mature birds, normally in late summer or autumn. The birds will lose their feathers and regrow new ones--a way of... read more

Q: My hen laid a teeny tiny egg, and when I cracked it open, there was no yolk! Should I be concerned?

A: Awww, isn't that cute! Tiny, yolkless eggs are sometimes known as witch eggs or fairy eggs. Occasionally a hen will lay a fairy egg when something... read more

Q: At what age can my chickens begin eating treats?

A: We don't really recommend feeding your new baby chicks treats right away, because they should first learn what their feed is so they will be able to... read more

Q: My chicks are arriving in the heat of summer, and my brooder is in a hot room. Can I use a fan to cool the brooder down?

A: Baby chicks need it very warm to be comfortable--most people would call it hot. For the first week of their lives, they need temperatures of about 95... read more

Q: I want to breed chickens, so can you tell me how to get my rooster interested in mating and how to tell when the hens go into heat?

A: When a female animal is "in heat," she is ovulating and/or ready to be mated. In some animals mating induces ovulation, but this isn't the case with... read more

Q: Are there any concerns I should have when keeping or caring for chickens while pregnant?

A: You will want to take the same kinds of precautions you would take with any pets: wash your hands after handling them and so forth. Avian and human... read more

Q: One of my new baby chicks is particularly fresh to the others, pecking their faces. Is this normal and should I do something about it?

A: In most cases you needn't worry. When you first receive them, your little chicks are hungry, and their instincts can tell them to peck at anything to... read more

Q: How can I help my chickens stay cool in the summer?

A: Chickens don't sweat like humans do to cool down. Much like dogs, they pant to help stay cool. When they are very hot, you will also see them holding... read more

Q: Do you have any tips to help me keep my coop sweet smelling in the heat of summer?

A: Obviously, keeping your coop cleaned and your bedding fresh is the best tip we can offer. Make sure to use pine shavings, and not straw: straw is not... read more

Q: How do I introduce new chickens into my old flock?

A: We get questions about this all the time! Let there be no doubt: adding new birds to your pre-existing crew can be stressful, both to you and the... read more

Q: How do we make sure that our older laying hens don't eat our younger chickens' starter feed, and vice versa, since the two age groups are meant to have different feeds?

A: Good question! Typically, you don't want your chicks to eat layer feed since it has too much calcium for them, and you don't want your hens to eat... read more

Q: What breed do you cross Ameraucanas with to get Easter Eggers?

A: We don't breed our Easter Eggers with anything else, only Easter Eggers. Since you know Easter Eggers are not purebred birds, it's sort of a... read more

Q: Some of my chickens will be vaccinated for Marek's Disease, but others are not vaccinated. Can my unvaccinated chickens get Marek's from my chickens who did get vaccinations ?

A: The Marek's Disease vaccination is attenuated, which means, in most cases, it's not even developed using the Marek's virus. Instead, it's developed... read more

Q: Do I need to be worried about bird flu if I keep chickens?

A: Probably not, but it's a good idea to be informed about it, anyway, so you can help to explain the issue to less savvy friends.

Bird... read more

Q: What biosecurity should I practice to protect my flock from AI and other illnesses?

A: Good question! Most illnesses or even infestations (such as mites or worms) are contracted when your birds are exposed to other birds, either... read more

Q: Are there symptoms I should watch for that mean my birds are seriously ill? If they do get seriously ill, whom should I call?

A: Yes, as a pet owner, you are responsible for keeping your chickens safe and healthy, so it's important that you watch to make sure they don't get... read more

Q: What is the Biosecurity for Birds campaign and how can I find more information about it?

A: Biosecurity for Birds is a public awareness campaign started by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in... read more

Q: How can I tell if my flock is infected with Salmonella? What are the symptoms?

A: While you won't be able to make a firm diagnosis of Salmonella on your own, it will be easy for you to see that your hens are sick. Chickens with... read more

Q: How is Salmonella infection transmitted to chickens in the first place?

A: You probably don't have to worry about well cared for backyard hens catching salmonella if you provide a clean environment for them. Hens in factory... read more

Q: What can I do to reduce the risk of my birds getting sick with Salmonella or another illness?

A: The easiest thing to do is simply to provide your birds with safe, roomy, clean conditions. read more

Q: I've been noticing that in some of our eggs, the yolk will have settled to one side. What could be causing this?

A: Of course, we can't know for sure what may be going on, but we can offer some information that may assist you in figuring it out!

First of... read more

Q: How do I know which chickens feeds have hormones and which are hormone-free?

A: There are no hormones in any brand of commercial chicken feed in the United States, according to the US Cooperative Extension Service. We think that... read more

Q: I want to order chicks to be delivered to me, but use a broody hen to raise them. Is there anything special I should know, or will the hen take care of everything?

A: When you are having a broody hen raise new baby chicks that have been shipped to you, first remember that your hen has to be currently broody. If she... read more

Q: Should I be concerned that my hen laid an egg with blood on the shell?

A: When a hen has just begin laying, there can occasionally be a little blood on the egg shell, but it is usually no cause for concern. Eventually her... read more

Q: Should I worry that my chicken's comb looks a little blue -- is that frostbite?

A: A chicken's comb can be indicative of her circulation and condition. For instance pale pink, shrunken combs may indicate anemia, a mite infestation... read more

Q: It is late winter and bitterly cold outside, so why have some of my hens have just now started molting? What should I do about it?

A: Chickens molt annually, and some chickens do molt later than others. Often this varies by breed as well as the conditions they have.

I... read more

Q: Today I noticed that the tip of one hen's beak has broken off--how can this happen and what should I do?

A: This can occasionally happen, although it is rare. A chicken's beak will continue to grow throughout her lifetime, so as long as it is just the tip,... read more

Q: Is it possible for several roosters to coexist peacefully together in our flock?

A: We normally recommend one rooster for every ten hens or so. In a large flock, there is often more than one rooster, with no problems. In smaller... read more

Q: Do I need to bathe my chicken?

A: Generally speaking, no. Chickens don't need baths. However, if they do get something stuck in their feathers that they are not preening out, you can... read more

Q: I keep seeing that coops should be well ventilated but not drafty. What is the difference between ventilation and drafts?

A: Yes, that can be confusing, can't it? Try thinking of it this way: Generally, you might think of drafts as air that will blow directly onto your... read more

Q: Why do my baby chicks poo so much?

A: Your baby chicks poo so much because they have to eat a lot to grow as fast as they do! Remember, they are going from egg-sized (2 ounces or so) to... read more

Q: If I want to add light to my chicken coop during the winter, how much do I need to add?

A: You needn't use a very bright light; studies have shown that laying increases with about as much light as a candle. Even something like a 4 watt... read more

Q: Why are my chickens sleeping in their nest boxes rather than their roosts?

A: It's difficult for us to say exactly what might help without being able to inspect your coop, but I can give you some pointers that may assist you... read more

Q: I have an exterminator coming to spray the lawn for ants, and they say that it will be safe for dogs and cats after a day or so, once the poison has dried. Can you tell me if it will be safe for my chickens?

A: Well, this isn't something most of us would ever want to risk with our flocks and our families. However, if you want to weigh your options, you would... read more

Q: I want to house ducks or turkeys with my chickens--is that possible or wise? What steps should I take?

A: There are challenges associated with mixing fowl varieties, such as making sure each one eats the right food for their needs. Often different fowl... read more

Q: My chick is about two weeks old, and her beak is seems to be getting crooked. What should I do?

A: Usually, chickens with crossed beaks or scissor beaks lead long, normal lives.

In most cases, this defect is caused by the chick... read more

Q: How do I dispose of a dead chick or chicken?

A: This is a difficult question to answer definitively, since what to do with a dead pet or animal can vary depending on your your state, city and even... read more

Q: I'm having trouble getting my brooder to be exactly 95 degrees. Do you have any advice?

A: First remember that it only needs to be 95 directly under the heat lamp. That will be the "warm" area of your brooder and they can hang out under... read more

Q: During the past two weeks I have been collecting some eggs with large amounts of blood on them and am wondering if there are steps to take in reducing egg size. I'm worried about egg binding. Could I be overfeeding my flock?

A: It is not likely that the problem is overfeeding. We recommend feeding free choice and not limiting their feed: underfeeding usually causes more... read more

Q: Why does my chicken have a bare spot on her chest? She's not molting!

A: If she's not molting, isn't getting picked on and isn't suffering from external parasites like mites or lice, it's possible that the bare spot on her... read more

Q: Last year we had a few ticks on our dogs. Will ticks be a problem with the chickens?

A: Chickens will eat deer ticks, wood ticks and dog ticks (as well as other types), and these are the most common ticks that bother humans and canines.... read more

Q: My hens had some feather loss. I have taken care of the cause, but their feathers haven't grown back. Is there something I'm missing?

A: Not necessarily. Sometimes hens will regrow feathers immediately, and sometimes they won't regrow missing feathers until the molt (usually in the ... read more

Q: My orpingtons are about three months old now, but they don't seem interested in their nest boxes at all. Is that normal, or will they start using their nests once they begin laying eggs?

A: Your chickens will probably not be interested in the nesting boxes until it is time to lay--and even then, it may take them a while before they... read more

Q: Due to the number of predators in my area I cannot/will not allow free ranging. The problem is that a large amount of droppings accumulate on the hard clay dirt of the run. I try to rake this out, but the moist droppings do not rake up too well. Any suggestions on how to maintain a clean run in these conditions?

A: What bedding you will want to use for an enclosed pen will probably depend on your coop's exact situation. Many people like to use pine bedding, but... read more

Q: I have a twelve week old rooster that has trouble keeping his balance, and sometimes staggers when he is walking. He otherwise seems healthy with nice, shiny feathers and bright, alert eyes. Any idea what his problem is?

A: That's a tough one. A problem like this could be caused by many things.

The first thing that comes to mind is that it could be a fungal... read more

Q: Are there any plants that are poisonous to chickens that I should eliminate from my yard?

A:

Naturally, some plants are poisonous to chickens, just as there are plants that are poisonous to other pets like cats and dogs. It's problematic... read more

Q: Our rooster is pecking the backs and heads of two of our friendliest hens. How can we stop this behavior?

A: Unless your rooster is causing the hens injury, that sort of pecking is no cause for concern. It is courting behavior. He pecks them on their backs... read more

Q: I'm worried about losing power to my brooder lamp during an upcoming storm. Is there anything I can do if that happens?

A: We heard a great idea for someone in this situation from our customer Lee C. in Vermont.

She wrote: "I lost power due to hurricane Irene for... read more

Q: When will my chickens begin laying again in the spring?

A: Some chicken breeds lay year round (save when they go broody). At my latitude, any girls who stop laying during the winter begin again regularly--and... read more

Q: One of my baby chicks seems weak and is not eating or drinking; how can I best help her?

A: Well, do remember that if you hatched these babies at home, chicks don't actually need to eat or drink for the first two or three days... so... read more