Getting Started

The White Leghorn produces more eggs than any other chicken on Earth. Period. More than 90% of the commercial white eggs in the United States come from Leghorn-based strains. If you have ever cracked open a white egg from the grocery store, you have eaten a Leghorn egg. But here is the paradox: despite being the most productive … Read more

The first time I set eggs in my incubator, I had no idea if any of them were actually fertile. I had a rooster, sure, but I’d seen him chase my hens around the yard without ever seeming to complete the deal. Seven days later, I found myself in my pantry at midnight with a … Read more

What chicken lays blue eggs? The main breeds that lay blue eggs are the Araucana, Ameraucana, Cream Legbar, Whiting True Blue, and Easter Egger. Blue eggshell color is caused by the oocyan gene (O gene), which triggers the deposit of a pigment called biliverdin throughout the entire shell during formation. This means blue eggs are blue on the inside and outside when you crack them open, … Read more

Chicken noises carry specific meanings, and learning to decode them transforms how you manage your flock. Chickens produce approximately 24 to 30 distinct vocalizations, each serving a specific communicative purpose. The five most common sounds you will hear are: soft clucking (everyday contentment conversation), the egg song (loud post-laying announcement), alarm screams (predator warning), purring (deep relaxation), and growling (broody hen warning). Understanding what your chickens are … Read more

Not collecting chicken eggs daily can lead to several problems including broken shells, dirty eggs, egg eating behavior, broody hens, and reduced egg quality. While freshly laid eggs have a natural protective coating called the “bloom” that keeps them safe for a limited time, the United States Department of Agriculture recommends collecting all eggs within 12 … Read more

Dominique and Barred Rock chickens are two different breeds, though they look remarkably similar at first glance. The easiest way to tell them apart is by their comb type: Dominiques have a rose comb (low and flat with a small spike at the back), while Barred Rocks have a single comb (tall and upright with distinct points). The second key difference is their feather … Read more

Quick Answer: Yes and no, and the distinction matters more than most people realize. A Barred Rock is a color variety of the Plymouth Rock breed, not a separate breed. Every Barred Rock is technically a Plymouth Rock, but Plymouth Rock is the broader breed that currently includes eight recognized color varieties. The Barred variety became so dominant … Read more

Quick Answer: The Barred Rock chicken is technically a color variety of the Plymouth Rock breed, not a separate breed on its own. These iconic black and white striped birds are genuine workhorses of the backyard flock, producing 200 to 280 large brown eggs per year, weighing 6.5 to 9.5 lbs depending on strain, and living 6 to 10 years with proper care. Their friendly, … Read more

Quick Answer: The Rhode Island Red chicken is America’s most iconic dual-purpose heritage breed, known primarily for outstanding egg production of 250 to 300 large brown eggs per year, a hardy and assertive temperament, and deep mahogany red plumage that turns heads in any backyard flock. Standard hens weigh 6.5 lbs, roosters reach 8.5 lbs, and with proper care these birds … Read more

Quick Answer: The chickens most likely to lay pink eggs include Silkies, Salmon Faverolles, Light Sussex, and Buff Orpingtons. However, it is important to understand upfront that no chicken lays a truly bright pink egg. What you are seeing is a cream or light brown egg coated with a natural protective bloom that creates a soft, rosy pink appearance. The effect is real … Read more