Vent Gleet in Chickens: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Learn the signs of vent gleet in chickens, what can cause or mimic cloacitis, how to clean external soiling safely and when veterinary care is needed.
How to Introduce New Chickens to an Existing Flock Safely
Learn how to introduce new chickens to an existing flock safely. Follow a 30-day quarantine, gradual barrier introductions, supervised contact and practical ways to prevent bullying and disease spread.
Sour Crop vs Impacted Crop in Chickens: Symptoms, Differences and Treatment
Learn how to distinguish sour crop from impacted crop in chickens, understand the signs and causes, and know what to do safely and when to contact a poultry veterinarian.
Why Do Chickens Stop Laying Eggs in Winter? Causes and How to Keep Hens Laying
Finding fewer eggs in your nesting boxes during winter can be frustrating, especially when your backyard hens were laying consistently throughout spring and summer. If your chickens are not laying in winter, the first thing to investigate is the change in daylight rather than assuming that cold temperatures are the only problem. Shorter days affect … Read more
Midnight Majesty Marans Hen or Rooster? How to Tell from Day 1 to 8 Weeks
If you picked up Midnight Majesty Marans chicks and you’re not sure whether you have hens or roosters, you’re in luck. This is one of the few hatchery hybrids where you can make a confident guess on the very day they hatch, before a single feather grows in. The short answer: solid black down at … Read more
Starlight Green Egger Chicken: The Complete Breed Guide You Actually Need
I have to be honest with you about how I discovered this breed. A friend of mine texted me a photo of her egg basket one Sunday morning, and I thought my phone screen had a color filter on it. The eggs were green. Not olive. Not brown with a green tint. Actual, unmistakable pastel … Read more
Is Pasture-Raised Chicken Really Better? The Honest Truth You Need to Know
I’ll be upfront with you right from the start. I used to grab whatever chicken was on sale at the grocery store. “Free range.” “Natural.” “Organic.” I assumed they all meant the same thing, that the chickens lived good lives outside, ate clean food, and that the meat on my plate was healthy. I was … Read more
Why Do Chickens Flap Their Wings Randomly? 10 Real Reasons Explained
You step into the yard, your coffee still warm in your hand, and your hen suddenly bursts into a full wing display with no obvious reason. Is she okay? Is she angry? Is something wrong? Here is the short answer: wing flapping in chickens is almost always completely normal. In fact, it is one of the richest … Read more
Can Chickens Eat Pineapple? Safe Parts, Right Portions, and What to Skip
You are slicing a fresh pineapple in the yard and your flock is already sprinting toward you, necks stretched and eyes wide. Sound familiar? Before you toss them a chunk, it makes sense to know exactly what you are working with. Yes, chickens can eat pineapple. Pineapple is safe to feed chickens in moderation and with … Read more
Best Nesting Material for Chickens: Ranked and Compared
Your hens spend a surprising amount of time in their nesting boxes. Every single day, they settle in, arrange whatever material is beneath them, and trust that spot to cradle the egg they are about to lay. If the nesting material is wrong, you will know it quickly. Dirty eggs, broken shells, hens refusing to … Read more