How Long Will Hens Stay Broody

Some chicken traits are both admirable and frustrating Patience is an example

 

People often lack patience They grit their teeth waiting at a red light, and zoom off the second it turns green Instant gratification is expected Fortunately, in this fast-paced world, a broody hen teaches us the merits of calmness and patience

 

At one time, the only way to get new chicks was to let a broody hen warm egg for a 21-day incubation period Nature programmed hens to develop a maternal urge, usually in the spring, and raise babies  After filling her nest with fertile eggs she’ll fluff up

Keeping Chickens Productive in Summer’s Heat

In the summer of 1896, a heat wave gripped New York City at a time when people lived crammed together in tenements Lacking air conditioning and running water, the heat killed about 1500 people in ten sweltering days

 

In an era when governments did little to help people, then relatively unknown Theodore Roosevelt took action that saved lives and launched his political career

As police commissioner he ordered the fire department to spray down the exterior of buildings, sidewalks and streets with water and worked to have ice delivered to suffering people The water dropped building temperatures a few degrees and

Chicken Run Size: How Big Should an Outdoor Run Be?

Chickens love being outside Give them a proper run, and they will lounge in the shade, scratch for tasty bugs and seeds, gobble fresh sprouts, hunker down in the dust, and even snatch wayward flies right out of the air One of the first questions new flock owners ask is about chicken run size, and while there is no single magic number, the guiding rule is simple: the bigger the run is relative to your flock, the happier and healthier your birds will be A roomy outdoor chicken run produces more natural food, stays cleaner, and gives your hens

Chickens Love a Bath

People mowing their lawn, tilling the garden, or doing almost any home or yard chore usually finish tired, hungry, and dirty Nothing’s quite as luxurious after a hard day’s work as a warm bath or sudsy shower to remove grime and relax taxed muscles

 

Chickens aren’t as lucky Like humans they work hard scratching the dirt for delicious bugs and seeds and giving their human owner a nearly daily nest gem……an egg  Unfortunately, they can’t end the day’s labor with a bath or shower the way people can   Yet, chickens are fastidious about body care and appreciate the opportunity to

Can Chickens Be Pets? What to Know Before You Fall in Love

Years ago, on a visit to Hoover’s Hatchery, we spotted a bumper sticker that read, “Yep, I talk to my CHICKENS” It made us laugh, and then it made us think So we will ask the question plainly: Can chickens be pets? The short answer is yes Plenty of backyard keepers treat their birds like cherished members of the family, and the birds often seem to return the affection Whether a chicken counts as a true pet, though, depends a lot on your perspective and the kind of relationship you build with your flock

Chicken’s Vision and Memory Helps Find Snacks

Anyone who consistently shares tasty kitchen scraps with their chickens knows how eager the flock is to dine on pizza crusts, wilted lettuce, or even scraps of rice recovered from the sink strainer Chickens enthusiastically greet a person approaching with treats But how do they know they are about to enjoy a snack?

 

Chickens aren’t dumb bunnies They’re smart All they need to do is see a person carrying a bowl or small bucket with treats once or twice and every time they see it again, they’ll know the dinner bell’s ringing With great enthusiasm they’ll rush out to greet