Understanding the difference between a poultry-labelled product, an active ingredient, and extra-label use When you're caring for a backyard flock, you may come across recommendations for different medications to treat parasites, respiratory problems and other health concerns. You may hear about a medication that has been successfully used in poultry, or learn about a product that contains an active ingredient commonly used to treat chickens. But before using any medication,

Fenbendazole has become one of the biggest names in the backyard chicken community when people talk about deworming. But how much do we actually know about this product? Spend enough time in chicken groups and you will eventually see comments such as: "Use fenbendazole. It is broad spectrum." "Fenbendazole treats all the common chicken worms." "You should use fenbendazole instead of piperazine because it covers so much more." Because of its popularity, I have seriously consid

Fowl pox is a viral disease that can be alarming to see in a backyard flock, particularly when the first signs appear as dark, crusty or wart-like lesions on a chicken's comb or face. The good news is that most cases of dry fowl pox are self-limiting, meaning affected chickens can recover without specific antiviral treatment. However, fowl pox can become more serious when lesions develop inside the mouth or throat, and an outbreak can spread through a flock. Understanding wha

When you hear a chicken sneeze, wheeze, cough, or breathe with its beak open, it's natural to worry. Respiratory problems are among the most common health concerns seen in backyard flocks, but they're also some of the most misunderstood. Many chicken keepers immediately assume they need antibiotics. Others blame cold weather, damp weather, or even keeping a waterer inside the coop. The truth is, respiratory disease is much more complex than that. Understanding a few key facts

When it comes to creating the perfect environment for your backyard hens to lay eggs, the small details matter—and one of the most overlooked features is nest box curtains for chickens. These simple fabric additions can make a world of difference in your hens' comfort, egg quality, and even flock behavior. A Sense of Privacy for Peaceful Egg Laying - Nest Box Curtains for Chickens Hens prefer privacy when it's time to settle in and lay their eggs. In the wild, hens instinctiv

If you've spent any time in backyard chicken groups on social media, you've probably seen ivermectin recommended as a quick fix for mites, lice, or worms. Comments like "I've used it for years with no problems" or "Just throw away the eggs for two weeks and you'll be fine" are common. Unfortunately, these statements are often repeated without scientific evidence to support them. So, is ivermectin an effective parasite treatment? In many cases, yes. But is it the best choice f

Many backyard chicken keepers eventually find themselves managing a mixed flock with both laying hens and roosters. One of the most common questions that comes up is: “Can roosters eat layer feed?” There is a lot of conflicting information surrounding this topic. Some people believe roosters should never consume layer feed because it contains more calcium, while others feed their entire flock the same ration. The answer requires looking beyond a single ingredient and understa

During hot summer weather, many chicken keepers notice a change in their flock’s droppings. They may appear larger, wetter, or much looser than usual. This often causes concern, and many people immediately assume their chickens have diarrhea or a digestive problem. However, during periods of high temperatures, looser droppings can be a completely normal response as chickens work to regulate their body temperature. Before reaching for a supplement or treatment, it is important

Welcome to Your Journey Toward a Healthier Flock Whether you're new to backyard chickens or have been keeping them for years, this guide is the best place to begin. This article is the foundation of Roslin Poultry Ranch Chicken Topics. Many of the articles you'll find throughout Chicken Topics build upon the principles explained here. By understanding these fundamentals first, you'll be better equipped to recognize why health problems develop—and more importantly, how to help

Finding a soft-shelled or thin-shelled egg in the nest box during a summer heat wave can be alarming. Many backyard chicken keepers immediately assume their hens need more calcium, but that isn't always the case. While calcium is essential for building strong eggshells, hens also require another important ingredient that is often overlooked—carbon dioxide. During periods of extreme heat, laying hens cool themselves by panting. Although panting is necessary to prevent overheat

What First Saturday Lime Is Actually Designed For First Saturday Lime is a form of calcium hydroxide (hydrated lime). In commercial poultry and livestock industries, it is used primarily for: Odor control Moisture absorption pH manipulation Managing decomposing organic matter, including dead animals In large commercial barns, it is not uncommon for chickens to die and remain on the floor until routine removal. These environments involve: Extremely high stocking densities Larg

If you've noticed your chicken has a swollen crop that feels soft or squishy, or you've detected a foul smell coming from her beak, she may be experiencing sour crop. Sour crop is a condition that occurs when food and liquid remain in the crop for too long, allowing yeast and other microorganisms to multiply and cause fermentation. It is not a disease itself but rather a sign that the crop is not emptying normally. Early recognition and appropriate care can make a significant

If you've ever picked up one of your chickens first thing in the morning and noticed her crop still feels large, hard, or full, she may be dealing with an impacted crop. An impacted crop is a common condition in backyard flocks, but it is often misunderstood. While many cases can be managed if caught early, delaying treatment can lead to serious complications, including starvation, dehydration, or secondary infections. What Is the Crop? The crop is a pouch located at the base

When it comes to keeping backyard chickens productive, most keepers focus on feed, coop design and health care. But one detail that often gets overlooked is nesting material. What you put inside your hens' nesting box matters more than you might think! The right nesting material not only keeps eggs clean and safe but also reduces breakage and helps prevent parasites. Many people don’t realize how important nest box material is, and as a result, many are using the wrong materi

One of the greatest joys of keeping chickens is watching them roam freely, scratch for insects, dust bathe in the sunshine, and express their natural behaviors. Free-ranging provides enrichment, exercise, and access to fresh forage, but it also comes with increased exposure to predators. Learning how to keep free-range chickens safer from predators is an important part of responsible flock management. Unfortunately, there is no way to completely eliminate predator risks when

The Mite Myth: Why Chickens Are Really Losing Their Feathers Introduction Scroll through social media and you’ll quickly find countless posts of bald or patchy chickens, often paired with confident advice pointing to mites—especially “depluming mites”—as the cause. This explanation gets repeated so often that it’s become the default assumption. But in most cases, that simply isn’t what’s going on. With ongoing conversations I have daily about poultry health and nutrition, one

Spring is when chickens naturally become more active with breeding behaviors. As daylight hours increase, roosters begin mating more frequently, and this is often when hens start showing signs of feather wear across their backs and wings. If you keep roosters with your hens, you may notice some of your girls looking a little ruffled. Missing feathers, irritated skin or even small wounds are common signs that your hens are being over-mated. The good news? There's an easy way t

Understanding One of a Chicken’s Most Natural Behaviors Few sights are more entertaining to a chicken keeper than watching a hen suddenly collapse into a shallow hole in the dirt, flap wildly, toss soil over herself, and lie there looking completely content. To someone unfamiliar with chickens, it can look alarming. But in reality, you are witnessing one of the most instinctive and important behaviors in a chicken’s life: dust bathing. Dust bathing is often misunderstood onli

Chickens are naturally curious, active foragers. In the wild, they spend much of their day scratching, pecking, and exploring in search of feed. In modern backyard flocks, that natural behavior can sometimes be limited, especially during confinement, winter weather, or when space is restricted. This is where enrichment matters—but not all enrichment needs to involve extra foods or treats. Why Too Many Extras Can Work Against Health It’s common for chicken keepers to offer a v

Backyard chicken enthusiasts are often tempted to supplement their flock’s diet with insects. After all, chickens are natural foragers, and the idea of feeding them mealworms, grubs, or black fly larvae seems both natural and beneficial. But while these creepy-crawlies might seem like a protein-packed treat, the truth is that they offer little to no nutritional benefit and can actually undermine the carefully balanced diet your chickens receive from their feed. In this blog,