Backyard Chickens and Roosters

The California Tan chicken is very closely associated with the California White chicken. In fact, it’s not uncommon for novice farmers to confuse the two. However, they are not the same breed of chicken. The California Tan chicken is technically not a breed of chicken but a hybrid. It crosses two other breeds—a Production Red (similar to Rhode Island Reds) and a White Leghorn. One of the main reasons breeders worldwide endeavor to come up … Read more

How long do roosters live? What factors affect a rooster’s lifespan, and does breed have anything to do with a rooster’s longevity? What is a rooster’s lifespan in captivity vs in the wild? These are all questions that any budding chicken owner would have-rightly so. Chicken keepers and chicken enthusiasts alike know that when left to their own devices, chickens can live for 5 to 10 years. However, due to one thing or another, this … Read more

Olive Egger chickens are a cross between a brown egg layer and a blue egg layer. They are hybrids that mix Legbars, Ameraucana, and Maran chicken breeds. While mixed breed chickens aren’t uncommon, Olive Egger chickens are a special breed for a few reasons. The most notable is that Olive Egger hens produce olive-colored eggs. If you are a farmer looking to get into raising chickens but unsure what breed you should pick, raising Olive … Read more

The Prairie Bluebell Egger is a generally active bird capable of incredible egg production. A single hen can lay up to 280 eggs annually. One of the main standout features of this chicken breed is that it lays large powdery blue eggs that are cherished in most markets.  Developed to be excellent foragers and hardy, these birds can be a wonderful addition to any backyard chicken farm interested in raising more than just the typical … Read more

Gold Star chickens go by several names. They are typically referred to as the Golden Sex Link, Red Sex Link, or the Gold Star, among many other similar names. This type of chicken is a breed hybrid designed for increased egg production. It has many positive characteristics, chief among them being that its cold hardy. As a chicken keeper, the Gold Star chicken would make a wonderful addition to your backyard flock if you are … Read more

Do chickens need a rooster to lay eggs? While the answer is simple and straightforward, many other factors come into play—factors that not only have legal implications but will directly affect the continuity of your farm. If you are going to keep chickens, whether you want to keep them for their eggs, meat, or breeding purposes, it’s important to know the rules and regulations surrounding chicken farming in your state. Do Chickens Need a Rooster … Read more

Technically speaking, chickens are cold-hardy animals that can tolerate temperatures just below freezing. However, just because they are cold-hardy doesn’t mean they don’t get cold. Learning how cold is too cold for chickens will help you learn how to keep your chickens warm in winter. As a chicken owner in an area that sees harsh freezing temperatures during winter, you must learn how to keep your chickens warm through the colder temperatures. In some cases, … Read more

How long do chickens live? How long do chickens live naturally? Remember, many farmers use them for meat. Which are the best breeds, and what can you do to improve a chicken’s lifespan? These are all questions that any aspiring backyard chicken keeper would reasonably ask themselves and any experts around them. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, there are about 1,600 different breeds of chicken worldwide. Each of these breeds … Read more

Silkie chickens, like the Blue Silkie chicken, are some of the world’s favorite pet chickens. This is mostly because they are fluffy and adorable. As one of a few chicken breeds with feathers all over their bodies, they are covered in feathers from head to toe. Blue Silkies are sought-after because they have unique blue and lavender feathers. Their feathers are soft, look like fur, and feel like satin or silk. The American Bantam Association … Read more

Keeping your flock’s health in mind, learn about pine shavings for chickens along with less toxic alternatives. While pine wood shavings do work as chicken coop material for insulation, you may want to consider other options such as sand. The problem with using pine shavings is the abietic acid from pine resin which can damage lung cells in chickens. Chickens are exposed to abietic acid through inhalation. They will also inhale the fine dust from … Read more