Hatching your own chickens can be an educational and rewarding experience and with the right equipment and some best practices you can be on your way to having backyard chickens in no time. Incubation allows backyard poultry enthusiasts to hatch chickens and ensure the eggs are developing correctly in a controlled environment. Incubators are able to control the temperature, humidity and turn the eggs automatically making the egg hatching process stress-free. While you can incubate eggs any time of the year, spring is considered the best time to raise chickens because of the warmer weather which is ideal for new chicks. If you’re considering hatching your own flock of backyard chickens, here are a few tips that will make egg hatching a success. Incubation for Beginners by Brinsea, Inc. Choose a good incubator To find a quality incubator, we recommend looking at the functionality. Does it have an accurate temperature control? Can it be cleaned easily? Can … [Read more...]
Best Chicken Feed Options for Your Flock
Chicken feed - chickens like people, really only need one thing to get by: a consistent source of nutrition they can depend on. Mealtimes are central to a healthy and fulfilling life. With that in mind, as a chicken owner, what your birds eat is the beginning and end of almost all of your problems. A proper diet can prevent things like illnesses, obesity, agitation, and premature death. Moreover, it means your chicken will live a healthy life. And, ultimately, isn't that what really matters the most? Join us, today, as we discover some of the best options available for feeding your precious chickens. Feed Your Chickens The Right Way Your chickens are an investment, whether emotional, financial, ethical or a little bit of all three. It's important you take care of them, and, next to housing them, the most important part of their healthcare is their diet. Let's take a closer look at some of the best ways for you to feed your flock. Pellets For Laying … [Read more...]
Common Chicken Diseases You Should Know About and How to Treat Them
Do you have a backyard flock of chickens? There are lots of benefits of keeping chickens. However, in order to be a responsible chicken owner, you have to make sure they stay healthy. Otherwise, they could stop laying altogether. This means preventing contraction of diseases, treating them when they occur, and possibly even culling chickens when they're in danger of spreading dangerous infections. In this article, we'll tell you all about the most common chicken diseases, how to spot them, and how to treat them if you find them in your coop. Fowl Pox This disease is usually not deadly, but is known to take the lives of young or particularly weak chickens. It usually lasts 10-14 days in a bird, but can take up to 6 weeks to eradicate from a flock. Symptoms of Fowl Pox White spots on the skin Comb sores Mouth or trachea ulcers Laying stops It can be contracted from other contaminated chickens, but is also carried by mosquitoes. Fowl Pox can be treated with … [Read more...]
Facts about Raising Chickens in Your Backyard
Chickens have long been part of the world’s history. Facts about Raising Chickens is that they are believed to be domesticated for cockfighting purposes, initially, before becoming food sources. Today, they serve both purposes across the globe. Comparing the Best Chicken Swings Facts About Raising Chickens Scientifically known as Gallus domesticus, the chicken is said to be first tamed in China around 6000 BC. Four thousand years later, flocks of them moved to India, eventually spreading to other parts of the world. The bird as a male adult is called a rooster, while its female counterpart is called a hen. Young chickens, newly-hatched ones in particular, are called chicks. One type of chicken subject to Chinese-origin debate is the Chinese Silkie chicken, which are popular for their dark meat. It is unknown whether or not they originated from China, where they are called “wu go ji”. Their dark flesh is attributed to a condition called genetic fibromelanosis, which causes … [Read more...]
What’s the Best Nutrition Plan for Healthy Chickens?
Raising healthy chickens are a staple of homesteading. The urban farming movement and trend toward a rural lifestyle shift has spurred an increased demand. Availability through online marketplaces has further fueled the desire and ease of raising livestock in our backyards. Modern, healthy chickens need a larger diet because they're bred to produce a greater volume of eggs and yield more meat. Their environment has changed from farmhouse to the backyard. Domestication has led to healthier, vibrant flocks. Feeding Chickens: What They Need at Different Stages is an easy solution for feeding chickens but not always the best option for their nutrition. Chickens eat plants, insects and fruits and vegetables, which make them omnivores. It's important to include a nutritional variety. It's easy to provide a sound nutritional plan to keep your backyard chickens healthy and happy. Nutritional plan for chickens What to feed chicks (up to 8 weeks) Newborn chicks will need a feed that … [Read more...]
Water Your Backyard Chickens: Watering Systems and Ideas
As the proud owner of backyard chickens, you know there are certain responsibilities that go along with the title of “keeper.” You must attend to your brood's needs. You must make sure they have a clean environment with fresh bedding, food and water. How To Raise Backyard Chickens There are systems you can use to make your job easier and keep your hens content. Having a good watering system is important. It will save you lots of time and be healthier for your chickens. Good: Simple "No Frills" Bottle System Better: Best: Chicken watering systems If you don't want a DIY project, chicken watering system. The nipples and water won't come in contact with the ground, making it clean and sanitary. It's a simple and effective system, and holds two gallons of water. You can leave the bucket on the ground or hang it. Four chickens and roosters can drink from it at the same time. And, miracle of miracles, it doesn't leak! You can easily fill it with ice cubes on hot … [Read more...]
Chicken Swing Review. Comparing the Best Chicken Swings
Chicken swings can be great fun for hens. They reduce coop boredom. When you keep your chickens occupied and happy, they are less likely to peck at one another. Chicken swings introduce activity, exercise and recreation for your brood. We like to think of it as hen-tertainment. When we , our kids thought these were the best things ever. They were as excited as if the swings were for them! Our family and neighbors have enjoyed watching our chickens swing and play. Good: Better: Best: Best Chicken Swings The Chicken Swing - Fowl Play Products This is the first chicken swing we installed, and it remains everyone's (people and chickens) favorite. It's sturdy and well-built, bright and colorful. is made from plastic and rope, and holds up well in all types of climates. It was easy to mount. It's adjustable for any coop size. Like with all these swings, you will want to be sure there's enough space for it to swing freely so it's safe. We first installed this … [Read more...]
Best Chicken Toys: Entertaining Your Backyard Chickens
Keeping chickens is steadily gaining popularity. As useful as they are to us humans, it is important to consider their quality of life too. Scientists have only begun to touch on the remarkable capabilities that chickens have for feeling emotion and intelligence. Providing fun things for chickens to do will keep them stimulated and happy. Here are great ways to keep chickens busy. Good: Better: Best: Best chicken toys Chickens are very curious by nature and love it when you introduce new objects to them. They would love toys to play with, especially ones designed for them. Here are some proven to entertain and keep your brood busy. The best chicken toys are ones which engage the chickens, keeping them occupied so they won't peck at each other. Chicken WARE Chick-N-Veggie Ball Curb chicken boredom with this commercialized form of hanging a cabbage in your hen yard. This toy will provide tasty, nutritious vegetables and/or fruits for your chickens. It will … [Read more...]
How to Keep Chickens Cool in the Summer Heat ~ Tips for Beginners
Depending on where you live and your climate, it can be difficult to raise chickens in the summer. Imagine living in the dry southwest or the humid southeast. Can you still safely raise chickens in the heat? Yes! Here's how to keep chickens cool in the summer. How to keep chickens cool Here are top tips for keeping chickens in the blazing summer heat. Keep in mind the UV rays, especially at higher altitudes. The thermometer is not always an accurate measure of the heat index, especially with the direct sun. Here are best tips for keeping chickens cool and safe. Chicken's food and drink Water: Plenty of clean, cool water is essential. Even if you have a water pump system, put out extra water for them in several easy-to-access shallow bowls. Put in several ice cubes as well. Keep the water bowls in the shade. Frozen fruit: Chop strawberries, pineapple and bananas into small pieces and freeze them for a few hours. You can try blueberries and cucumber as well. Save … [Read more...]
How To Raise Backyard Chickens ~ Here’s What to Know
The trend of raising backyard chickens is catching up and for a very good reason. Producing your own food is a good way to cut expenses and also reduce your exposure to chemicals used in commercialized food production. People who raise backyard chickens are those that would want to maximize their unused outdoor space and in a way control a small part of their food source. It is a praiseworthy effort that can produce great results for the whole family. However, raising chickens can take a considerable amount of work and will demand time from those who want to pursue it. However it is also very rewarding, something that does not only put food on the table but also gives joy in the heart. Best Chicken Toys: Entertaining Your Backyard Chickens Benefits of raising backyard chickens Raising chickens in the backyard has many benefits. Comparing the Best Chicken Swings Fresh eggs Having fresh eggs every morning from your own chickens is deeply satisfying. A basket full of … [Read more...]
