What is Sour Crop in Chickens and How to Treat It

I remember walking out to check on the girls one hot summer day a few years back I do regular health checks on my flock, so I immediately noticed Nugget, my black Silkie, hanging back by the fence looking off One look and I knew she wasn’t feeling right I picked her up and felt her crop, and when I bent over to grab something off the ground, a smelly liquid shot out of her mouth Gross! That was my first experience with sour crop in chickens

Which Vegetables and Flowers Shouldn’t Be Started in Eggshells?

I remember having big dreams of starting my own seedlings and saving a ton of money on our garden While it can be a rewarding and budget-friendly task, the older I get, the more I lean toward just buying started plants But if you’re feeling ambitious and want to try growing from seed, planting in eggshells is a fun and eco-friendly way to get started

Can Humans Get Mites From Chickens?

The internet is full of beautiful chickens in magazine-worthy coops But let’s be real, chickens are barnyard animals, and barnyard animals can come with some yucky pests One of the biggest concerns for backyard chicken keepers? Mites

 

I’ve had people ask me, “Can mites from chickens get on humans?” It’s a good question, especially if, like me, you love snuggling your chickens! So let’s

How to Deworm Chickens: Prevention, Symptoms and Treatment

Deworming chickens is an essential part of maintaining a healthy flock Worm infestations can lead to weight loss, decreased egg production and even serious health complications if left untreated While worms are a common issue for chickens, the good news is that with proper care and prevention, you can keep your flock healthy and happy

Let’s dive into how chickens get worms, signs

Quick Growing Plants for Your Chicken Run

I was sitting in the chicken run last week watching my flock scratch around the dirt It got me thinking about how fast they ate the grass that was once under their feet Chickens love greens, grass and plants! Free-ranging gives their nutrition a boost and cuts down on food costs However, if your run looks like mine, there isn’t much green (or any!) for them to pluck

All About the Bielefelder Chicken Breed

I was flipping through the Hoover’s Hatchery catalog the other day when I spotted a breed I’ve had my eye on for years, the Bielefelder chicken A friend added them to their first flock and absolutely loved them If I were expanding my own flock of 40 (don’t worry, I’m not… this year!), the Bielefelder would be at the top of my list

Let’s take a closer look at what

How to Care for Cracked Eggs in an Incubator

Incubating eggs is an exciting but sometimes stressful journey I’ll never forget the first time I hatched Silkie chickens—it was both thrilling and challenging! Out of a dozen eggs, I managed to hatch five adorable chicks Along the way, I learned just how critical factors like temperature and humidity are for successful hatching

Why Aren’t My Hens Laying Eggs? Common Reasons and Solutions

 

It’s a cold January here in Minnesota and I’ve had a number of people reach out as to why their hens aren’t laying eggs Keeping chickens can be a rewarding experience, especially when you enjoy the fresh eggs they provide However, it can be concerning when your hens suddenly stop laying! There are a few different reasons why chickens stop laying eggs and today we’re going to look at each one of those

Why Do Chicks Peck Each Other and How to Help

Every spring, I get the itch to add to my backyard flock! All it takes is one peek over the edge of the chick brooders at our local farm supply store and I am hooked! While it is hard to resist those cute little fluff balls, it is important to remember they grow fast and so do their instincts

When to Switch Chicken Feed: A Complete Guide for a Healthy Flock

When to switch chicken feed is a common question for new backyard chicken keepers I get it! I had a lot of the same questions when I started out

Knowing when to switch chicken feed is essential to ensure your flock remains healthy and productive throughout their life stages But, before we dive into the timing of switching feeds, it’s important to understand the various types of feed available for each stage of life