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Different Colored Chicken Eggs: Why Are Some Blue?
Chicken eggs come in many different colors Growing up in New England, I lived across the street from my grandparents’ chicken farm. I am not sure which chicken breeds they raised, so I don’t know...
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Recycling Materials On Hand For Compost Bin Plans
There are endless compost bin plans available online. A basic understanding of what components a compost bin must have is essential. Composting is among the easiest, environmentally friendly things to...
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Grit for Chickens: When in Doubt, Put it Out
By Tiffany Towne – It’s hard to make an argument against using grit for chickens, along with oyster shell supplements. They’re both fairly inexpensive and a little lasts a long time. But from a...
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Peppermint, for Thicker Eggshells
Mint is one of my favorite herbs to grow. Sure, it will spread unchecked and take over your entire garden (and yard!) if you give it the chance, but that’s one reason I like it. It’s nearly impossible...
View Article10 Chicken-Feeding Facts
By Tiffany Towne, Nutrena Poultry Expert Some say chickens are simple animals. We say they are amazing! Like humans, though, a wholesome diet can make a big difference. Practicing these 10 nutritional...
View ArticleCool Chicken Coops, Yoga with Chickens and Poultry Lingo 101
Our August/September 2016 Issue is NOW AVAILABLE! Subscribe today! Who’s in the mood to see some cool chicken coops? We thought so! Take a peek at the winners of our annual Coolest Coops photo contest....
View ArticleSpecial Issue: Raising Small Animals — The Homestead Chicken, Chicken Feed
While feed requirements vary with type and age of bird, all birds need a constant source of water. Water is necessary for growth, reproduction, regulation of body temperature, and digestion. The live...
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Are You Wondering What Do Roosters Eat?
The common answer from chicken keepers when you ask them “what do roosters eat” is that they feed their roosters the same thing as the rest of the flock. This makes sense in backyard settings where the...
View ArticleRaising Heritage Turkeys, a Chicken Ghost Story and More!
Our October/November 2016 Issue is NOW AVAILABLE! Subscribe today! Gobble, Gobble, Gobble! Fall is here, that means it’s turkey time. Ms. Krier has been raising heritage turkeys on her California ranch...
View Article7 Egg Facts to Celebrate World Egg Day
Here at Backyard Poultry, we harbor a serious love for the protein-packed egg, especially when it comes from our own beloved backyard chickens, ducks or even guinea fowl. In celebration of World Egg...
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What Can Chickens Eat as a Treat? — Chickens In A Minute Video
At Backyard Poultry, we love to tackle common reader questions, such as: “why have my chickens stopped laying” or “why are my chickens laying soft eggs.” With our popular Chickens in a Minute video...
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Start Your Egg-venture!
By Tiffany Towne, Nutrena Poultry Expert You’ve cared for them, raised them, housed them and, dare we say it…pampered them. And now your flock is healthy, happy…and producing more eggs than you know...
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Wondering How to Wash Fresh Eggs? It’s Safer Not To!
Americans tend to be germaphobes, which probably explains why we need to know how to wash fresh eggs. Maybe it comes from a deeply rooted cultural mindset that “cleanliness is next to Godliness.”...
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Do Eggs Need to Be Refrigerated and Washed?
Do eggs need to be refrigerated and washed? If you keep backyard chickens, the washing and storage of eggs are the two most controversial egg-related topics among avid owners of backyard chickens. One...
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How Old Do Chickens Need to Be to Lay Eggs? – Chickens In A Minute Video
At Backyard Poultry, we love to tackle common reader questions, such as why have my chickens stopped laying? and why are my chickens laying soft eggs? With our popular Chickens in a Minute video...
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3 Tips to Help Molting Chickens
It’s autumn. Time for comfy sweaters, pumpkin-flavored everything and … vacation? For backyard chickens across the country, shorter days often signal time for a break. Molting chickens may stop laying...
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Do You Have Something To Crow About — 11/6
A Peppercorn Cure I have to share my coworker’s advice, which saved all five of my pet chickens last July-August. They all are different breeds and ages. When first older hen got sick (stopped eating,...
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How to Get More Eggs … Follow the Light!
Our December 2016 / January 2017 Issue is NOW AVAILABLE! Subscribe today! Brrrrrrr! That nip in the air means just one thing: Winter is here and with it comes the need to make seasonal changes to keep...
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Do You Have Something To Crow About — 12/1
Pecking For Perfection In the December 2016/January 2017 issue’s Poultry Talk section, there was a letter from Ruth Hill, “A Hen Getting Pecked.” Roosters will attack, pick on and kill a hen, making a...
View ArticleHealthy Feed: Broody Hens & Chicks
Q: I have a broody hen sitting on eggs that will hatch in a few days. What should I feed her and her new baby chicks? It seems like it will be nearly impossible to feed her layer feed while feeding the...
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Chicken Breed Directory: Find the Right Breed for You
Our February/March 2017 Issue is NOW AVAILABLE, featuring the 2017 Chicken Breed Directory. Subscribe today! Nankins? Plymouth Rock? Rhode Island Reds? What chicken breed is right for you? Use this...
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Wall-Mounted Planters are Ideal for Herbs and Small Spaces
Are you like me and enjoy fresh herbs? I enjoy the scent wafting from them as they grow indoors. Many wall-mounted planters are designed to take up small amounts of space yet allow for productivity of...
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A Complete Guide to How to Compost at Home
By Frederick C. Michel, Jr., Joe E. Heimlich, & Harry A. J. Hoitink – If you are interested in learning how to compost at home, here is some helpful advice. Mow your lawn often and let the...
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Examining Chicken Anatomy and Biology — Our First e-edition
We’ve got exciting news for all you Backyard Poultry readers out there! If you have a Web-Only or All-Access Backyard Poultry subscription, you now get six EXTRA e-editions a year, in addition to the...
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Gardening with Chickens
Chicken manure makes a wonderful fertilizer for your garden and is just one of the many benefits of keeping a flock of backyard chickens. But did you know that both eggshells and chicken feathers can...
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5 Quail Breeds to Diversify and Add Value to Your Flock
When considering quail breeds to raise; size, egg production, and temperament should lead your decision making. Some species may be kept in coveys, perfect for larger-scale productions. Others do...
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Spring Issue: How to Care for Baby Chicks
Our April/May 2017 Issue is NOW AVAILABLE, featuring great tips on how to care for baby chicks. Subscribe today! Learn how to care for baby chickens on their journey from the brooder to coop! This...
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Chickens Eating Eggs: 10 Ways to Stop or Prevent It
Most of us who are in the business of raising backyard poultry are doing it for the eggs. Am I right? When your chicken’s eating eggs, nobody wins. There really is nothing like a fresh egg. Beautiful...
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From Beet Dye to Pysanky: Decorating Your Own Flock’s Eggs
By Janice Cole, Minnesota Using vegetable colorants, like beet dye, is a natural way to decorate Easter eggs. Or, for more of a challenge, try pysanky or using colorful shells as part of a holiday...
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Exploring Cherished Chicken Breeds
In case you haven’t heard, we’ve got exciting news for all you Backyard Poultry readers out there! If you have a Web-Only or All-Access Backyard Poultry subscription, you now get six EXTRA e-editions a...
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What Not to Feed Your Chickens so They Stay Healthy
Feeding your chickens a varied diet supplies them with plenty of nutrients for optimal health, can alleviate boredom and help with seasonal issues like heat and cold. But knowing what not to feed your...
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