I think one of the most stressful parts of raising backyard chickens is the thought of one, or many, of them getting sick. As chicken keepers, we do everything we can to keep our birds healthy and happy. So when you hear a chick sneeze, it can definitely make your heart skip a beat. The good news? Most chick sneezing is caused by something harmless, like dust or bedding irritation. But sometimes, sneezing can signal a bigger issue. Understanding the difference can help you re

Raising baby chicks is super fun, fascinating and honestly? I don’t get much of anything else done when I have baby chicks because I always find myself watching them in their brooder! Their instinctive behaviors are mind blowing. When a mama hen hatches her chicks, she teaches them the ropes on eating, dust bathing and how to stay safe. But what about the chicks that are hatched in an incubator or hatchery? These chicks still seem to know what to do! Creation is amazing. One

Picture credit: EurekAlert! If you’ve been around here long enough, you know I’m passionate about poultry and all things eggs. But I’m fairly sure I’ve never talked about quail or their cute, itty-bitty eggs. So today, we’re cracking into the similarities and differences between quail eggs and chicken eggs, and which one makes the most sense for everyday use. Eggs are a staple in many diets and a reliable source of high-quality protein. When it comes to choosing between chick

Picture credit: Hoover’s Hatchery Every so often, I come across a chicken breed that makes me pause and think, maybe someday . The Buckeye is one of those breeds for me! I don’t have them in my coop right now, but I’ve spent plenty of time reading about them and appreciating what they bring to the table for backyard chicken keepers. If you’re drawn to practical, hardy chickens with a good balance of eggs, personality and cold weather hardiness, the Buckeye is one worth gettin

Molting is a natural and essential part of a chicken’s life! It’s when they shed old feathers and grow new ones. Some hens molt lightly, while others go through a dramatic hard molt where it looks like they exploded feathers everywhere. Either way, it can be stressful for both the flock and you but it’s completely normal! Because feathers are made mostly of protein, molting requires a lot of energy. During this time, chickens often slow down or pause egg production as their b

If you’ve ever seen my tiny chicken, Tinkerbell, you know why people stop and ask, “What kind of chicken is she?” Mini chickens, or bantam chickens, are quickly becoming a backyard favorite. They’re adorable, full of personality and perfect for people with smaller yards or urban setups. But what exactly are mini chickens, and are they right for you? What is a Mini Chicken? Mini chickens, also called bantams, are smaller versions of standard chicken breeds, or naturally small

Have you ever noticed at the end of a long, lazy day of foraging that your chickens have a little bulge in their chest area? That’s their crop, a cute, specialized storage pouch that plays a big role in how chickens digest their food! Understanding the crop can help backyard chicken keepers better care for their flock, spot health issues early and keep hens thriving year-round. What is a Chicken’s Crop? The crop is an expandable, muscular pouch located at the lower end of the

Picture credit: Hoover’s Hatchery Thinking of adding Wyandotte chickens to your backyard flock? These gorgeous birds are known for their striking laced feathers, cold-hardy nature, and dependable egg production. But as with any breed, every chicken has its own personality, and some can surprise you! My Experience With Wyandottes I’ll be honest, Henrietta and Hazel, my Silver Wyandottes, were the only hens I ever had to rehome. They were gorgeous, but super aggressive toward m

Raising happy, healthy chickens often starts with what you feed them. One increasingly popular practice among backyard chicken keepers is...

When we think about chicken eggs, the first colors that come to mind are the familiar whites and browns. But the world of backyard chicken keeping quickly reveals a far more colorful reality. One egg color stands out as the rarest and most sought-after: the blue-green egg, famously laid by the Araucana chicken. But what makes this egg color so special, and who else lays them? The Beauty Behind Blue-Green Eggs Blue-green eggs are striking. They add a fun pop of color to your e

The internet is full of beautiful chicken coops, elegantly feathered chickens and chicken keepers who are followed around by sunbeams and gorgeous landscapes. And, while some of these things are absolutely beautiful and out there no doubt, raising backyard chickens isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. There are plenty of yucky things that can plague the coop and the feathered friends who live there. Today we’re going to look at the top three diseases that affect chickens today

Everyone loves a yard sprinkled with different colors and breeds of chickens. Well, at least people who love chickens do! Chickens come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors, and each is fascinating in its own unique way. But few are as charming and eye-catching as the Frizzle chicken breed. With their flipped-up feathers and sweet personality, Frizzles have captivated chicken lovers around the world. My own little Tinkerbell is a fan favorite! She’s itty bitty, but h

If you’re not familiar with backyard chickens, you might not automatically know the difference between a hen and a rooster. It’s...

The internet is full of beautiful chickens in magazine-worthy coops. But let’s be real, chickens are barnyard animals, and barnyard animals can come with some... yucky pests. One of the biggest concerns for backyard chicken keepers? Mites. I’ve had people ask me, “Can mites from chickens get on humans?” It’s a good question, especially if, like me, you love snuggling your chickens! So let’s dig into what chicken mites are, whether you should worry and how to keep your flock (

Picture credit: Hoover’s Hatchery I was flipping through the Hoover’s Hatchery catalog the other day when I spotted a breed I’ve had my eye on for years, the Bielefelder chicken. A friend added them to their first flock and absolutely loved them. If I were expanding my own flock of 40 (don’t worry, I’m not… this year!), the Bielefelder would be at the top of my list. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this breed such a standout in the coop. History of the Bielefelder Chic

I was sitting in the chicken run last week watching my flock scratch around the dirt. It got me thinking about how fast they ate the grass that was once under their feet. Chickens love greens, grass and plants! Free-ranging gives their nutrition a boost and cuts down on food costs. However, if your run looks like mine, there isn’t much green (or any!) for them to pluck. Quick-growing plants can help improve soil quality, reduce mud and keep your chickens happy and healthy. Th

Picture credit: Morning Chores The Delaware chicken breed is one of the most versatile and loved breeds for backyard chicken keepers. Known for their meat quality, reliable egg production and friendly personalities, Delawares are a dual-purpose breed that offers the best of both worlds. Surprisingly, I don't have one yet, but they’re high on my list! History of the Delaware Chicken The Delaware chicken originated in the United States during the 1940s, thanks to the breeding e

Picture credit: Scratch cradle It’s spring, and for many backyard chicken keepers, that means one thing: new chicks! I usually order mine from Hoover’s Hatchery, but I’ve also hatched my own a couple of times. It’s exciting, fascinating and honestly, a little nerve-wracking! But if you’re up for the adventure, I’ll walk you through how to candle an egg and spot the signs of chick development along the way. What is Egg Candling? Candling is a simple method used to check if an

Every spring, I get the itch to add to my backyard flock! All it takes is one peek over the edge of the chick brooders at our local farm supply store and I am hooked! While it is hard to resist those cute little fluff balls, it is important to remember they grow fast and so do their instincts. One behavior that surprises many first-time chicken owners is how quickly chicks start to establish a pecking order. Yes, it is a real thing, not just a saying, and it starts right in t

It’s chick season! Whether you’re adding to your flock or just dreaming about new feathered friends, now is the perfect time to explore rare chicken breeds! My go-to hatchery is Hoover’s Hatchery in Iowa. They consistently provide high-quality chicks, and some of my all-time favorite birds have come from their selection. Did you know that Hoover’s Hatchery offers 44 rare breeds? If you’re looking to add unique and colorful birds to your flock, explore their stunning selection