To produce a baby chicken, you need a fertilized egg. Fertile eggs will only hatch if they have been incubated – and this takes 21 days of careful incubation under specific conditions. There are different ways to hatch fertilized chicken eggs, but by far the best way is how Mother Nature intended – allowing a broody hen to hatch and raise her chicks. But just how do you hatch chickens under a broody hen?
Chickens need clean and fresh water for optimal health and without it they will get sick quickly. But chickens are messy creatures, and they will not keep their water clean. They tend to flick dirt, debris and dust into their fresh water, and they may even use it as a bathroom! We will take a closer look at how to keep chicken water clean in your coop.
Read moreChickens are fascinating animals and it’s easy to get attached to them and their unique personalities over time. But a common question asked by owners is what to do with your chicken when you are away? If you need to be away from home and your flock for a few days or even a week or two some careful advanced planning is needed.
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Chicken roosts are a vital part of any chicken coop. Chicken roosting bars or perches give chickens a place to sleep, relax, and feel safe from predators. Sleeping on perches also helps chicks stay healthy by helping to keep them away from chicken poop and mites. Usually, chickens return to their roosts in the evening, where they line up together to spend the night. Although having a few roosting perches in a coop may seem straightforward, there is much to learn about roosting spaces to care for your chickens’ well being.
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Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a popular natural, non-toxic substance to reduce parasite load on chickens. Chicken owners who use DE in coops also report that chickens lay larger eggs with more yolk. Sometimes referred to as “d earth,” this white powder kills bugs, mites, lice, and fleas without poison.
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Has your supply of fresh eggs from your backyard flock of hens dwindled?
Broodiness may be the culprit – and there are plenty of reasons why you should “break” a broody hen.
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Just as humans and our furry family members can struggle in hot, humid weather, so too are chickens affected by the heat. Summer can be unrelenting and the hot, steamy conditions often don’t completely pass until mid Autumn – and they can arise again by early Spring.
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No matter what kind of pet you have, you want it to be healthy and happy. This extends to your backyard chickens – whether you perceive them as family members or not, it’s in your best interest to keep them feeling good. A healthy chicken is a happy chicken and vice versa.
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Are you thinking of getting backyard chickens, but worried about whether they’ll destroy your garden?
Don’t worry! The great news is that chickens can be very beneficial to your garden. They are inquisitive and bring great benefits – but you do need to learn how to have them coexist with your plants!
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If you raise backyard chickens, you’ll want them to be as happy and healthy as possible. One way to achieve this is to add a dust bath to their run or your yard.
A dust bath is an important and great way to help your chickens keep themselves clean and free of pests.
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