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

One of the most common questions I get is, “Can Chicken E-lixir be used for chicks?” The short answer? Yes! Today, we’ll dive into why Chicken E-lixir is a must-have for both chicks and adult birds and how it helps support your flock’s health from day one. A Strong Start: My Experience with Chick E-lixir I still remember getting my very first Baby Chick Care Kit. Inside, I found: Coop Recuperate First Peep Chick E-lixir A helpful guide on getting started My chicks loved First

It’s a cold January here in Minnesota and I’ve had a number of people reach out as to why their hens aren’t laying eggs. Keeping chickens can be a rewarding experience, especially when you enjoy the fresh eggs they provide. However, it can be concerning when your hens suddenly stop laying! There are a few different reasons why chickens stop laying eggs and today we’re going to look at each one of those. Seasonal Changes Chickens are sensitive to daylight and temperature chang

When to switch chicken feed is a common question for new backyard chicken keepers. I get it! I had a lot of the same questions when I started out. Knowing when to switch chicken feed is essential to ensure your flock remains healthy and productive throughout their life stages. But, before we dive into the timing of switching feeds, it’s important to understand the various types of feed available for each stage of life. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks) Starter feed is a high-protein o

Incubating eggs is an exciting but sometimes stressful journey. I’ll never forget the first time I hatched Silkie chickens—it was both thrilling and challenging! Out of a dozen eggs, I managed to hatch five adorable chicks. Along the way, I learned just how critical factors like temperature and humidity are for successful hatching. One common issue that can arise during incubation is cracked eggs. While cracks can jeopardize a chick’s development, there are steps you can take

Pictured: Barred Holland Chicken Picture Credit: Braided River Farm Holland chickens are a rare and special breed with plenty to offer. These hardy birds are great at laying eggs and also loved for their meat production, making them a favorite among chicken keepers. They might look a bit like Barred Plymouth Rocks or Dominiques, but their unique traits and rarity make them stand out in any flock! A Brief History of Holland Chickens The Holland chicken originated in the 1930s

When it comes to backyard poultry, one of the most common questions new chicken owners ask is about the color of the eggs their hens will lay. Honestly? I feel like white eggs almost get a bad wrap these days! Haha! Everyone is after a colorful egg basket and I’m one of them. However, I am always amazed at the sheer beauty of white eggs. Egg color can range from brown to white, blue, pink and even green, but in this blog, we’ll focus on the breeds of chickens that lay white e

Today, we’re talking about the not-so-fun side of chicken keeping...mites! Yuck! I think mites and lice are every backyard chicken...

Picture Credit: Hoover’s Hatchery The Cinnamon Queen chicken breed is a popular choice among backyard chicken keepers. Known for their friendly temperament and incredible egg-laying abilities, these birds are a great addition to any flock. While I don’t currently have any Cinnamon Queens, they’re definitely on my list! I had a couple of them as chicks a few years ago, but sadly, I lost them when the heater in our brooder died in the middle of the night. It was heartbreaking.

I’ve been raising chickens for nearly twenty years, and a question I often hear is, “How far can chickens actually fly?” Since chickens are birds, it’s natural to assume they could simply take off and soar as they please. However, their sometimes hefty bodies might lead us to think they’re more like an ostrich or emu—feathered friends who prefer to stay on the ground. Today, we’re going to clear up all of these questions! Understanding Chicken Anatomy and Flight To understand

Polish chickens are one of my all-time favorite breeds. They are quirky, hilarious and such fun chickens to watch! I’ve had a few different types of Polish chickens over the years, and today we’re going to talk about the Silver Laced Polish breed. History The Polish chicken breed has a past that dates back centuries. Originating from Poland, these chickens were introduced to England in the 1700s. Their unique head of feathers sets them apart from all other breeds. The Silver

Chicken lice may not be the most glamorous topic, but they’re a critical concern for chicken owners everywhere. These pesky pests are becoming more prevalent, especially among free-range flocks and backyard flocks. Let’s take a closer look at chicken lice, understand why they’re becoming more problematic and uncover effective treatment and prevention strategies, including the role of diatomaceous earth. Why Are Chicken Lice Becoming a Bigger Problem? Lice aren’t exactly new t

Chickens are known for their quirky eating habits and foraging for interesting snacks right in your backyard. If you’re new to raising backyard chickens you might be wondering what’s safe for our feathered friends and what things might be harmful to them. I remember starting out thinking that the sharp eggshells would slice their throats or something. I was wrong! Can Chickens Eat Eggshells? Yes! Chickens actually enjoy eating eggshells and they are an incredible source of ca

Photo Credit: Cackle Hatchery I remember when our kids begged us to add a couple of turkeys to our flock. While the idea sounded fun, we decided to stick with chickens since our setup wasn’t ready for turkeys. But it got me thinking: Can chickens and turkeys live together? Yes, But There Are Challenges The short answer is yes, turkeys and chickens can live together under the right conditions. Many people have successfully raised mixed flocks. However, if you don’t have the pr

We all want to ensure our backyard flocks are as healthy as possible. Many of us get into raising chickens primarily for fresh, nutritious eggs. But did you know that the diet of your chickens plays a crucial role in the quality of their eggs? Incorporating flaxseed into your chickens' diet is a fantastic way to boost their health, thanks to its high content of Omega-3 fatty acids. Let’s explore the benefits and best practices of feeding flaxseed to your chickens! Can Chicken

In the world of backyard chicken care, apple cider vinegar (ACV) has become the latest craze. Many owners tout its health benefits,...

Chickens are actually very smart! The whole idea of “bird brains” doesn’t really apply to these wonderful birds. Chickens can recognize up to 150 faces, can learn their name, and have better eyesight than humans during daylight hours! So, when it comes to knowing what they can and cannot eat, chickens are actually very smart too! Because of their incredible eyesight, chickens are drawn to bright colors. This makes fruit tantalizing for them. As you may know, there are a few

Photo Courtesy of Hoover’s Hatchery It’s time for another breed spotlight! I love doing these because I learn so much about the...