The flock missed their chicken dust bath and it was all my fault. As soon as the weather cleared and the chickens could go out to free range, they headed right for their favorite chicken dust bath spot. Apparently, I had forgotten this past fall to bring a chicken dust bath into the run or coop. Our fall was warm and the chickens had plenty of opportunity to dust bath their cares away while they free ranged and I did chores. Recently the weather took a turn and we had snow and ice for a few … [Read more...]
Sick Chicken Symptoms You Should Recognize
While it is good to recognize sick chicken symptoms, it might be more valuable for new chicken owners to know normal, healthy chicken behavior. If you know how your chickens act when they are feeling good and healthy, you will notice when your chicken in acting peculiar. How does the chicken look and act? A healthy chicken is a busy chicken. It is aware of what the other chickens are doing. The healthy chicken is pecking the ground, scratching the dirt, and chasing others away from a … [Read more...]
How Oregano Replaces Antibiotic Use in Livestock
When Oregano replaces antibiotic use in livestock and poultry, we all benefit. As more people are searching for clean, chemical and antibiotic free foods, farmers are beginning to see the possibility of leaving antibiotic use behind. If your goal is to raise healthy, clean food for your own family, this research is important to you too. How can a simple, common herb take the place of powerful antibiotics in the fight against disease causing bacteria? The answer is simple and complex. Oregano … [Read more...]
Flies in the Chicken Coop Need to Go!
I was just about to pat myself on the back for keeping such a clean chicken coop, when I noticed a huge uptick in the number of flies in the chicken coop. The summer was extremely hot and muggy even for our area. I wonder if the extreme heat was causing the flies to lie low. I do not know that of course, I have no background in entomology or degrees in fly behavior. However, the moment I noticed a change in the fly population was after we had a brief cool down. The weather dried out for a few … [Read more...]
Chicken Advice for Chicken Care Issues
Chicken Care and Chicken Advice Chicken advice is everywhere lately. So many books, blogs and newsletters specialize in the care and feeding of chickens. Chicken advice has become big business. Equipment, coops, chicken tractors, brooders, and incubators are big sellers, too. The small homestead is just not complete without a flock of beautiful egg layers. I enjoy writing about chickens, and although my blog is across the board on many homesteading topics, I love sharing … [Read more...]
