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

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

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,

Dirty vent feathers are one of the most frequent questions in backyard poultry groups. Soiled feathers around the vent often signal that something in the flock’s diet or management needs adjusting. In most cases, the issue stems from excess treats, low-digestibility grains, or digestive upset. Parasites or cloacitis (vent gleet in backyard chickens) may contribute in some situations, but they are far less common than simple nutrition-related causes. Before jumping to medicati

Just as babies need complete nutrition from breast milk or formula, chickens thrive on a complete feed - no extras required. A helpful way to understand poultry nutrition is to compare it to infant nutrition. Breast milk and infant formula are considered nutritionally complete foods. They are carefully designed to provide everything an infant requires for growth, development, and survival—in precise amounts and ratios. Because of this, no one would consider diluting breast mi

If you've ever noticed one of your hens walking with a swollen abdomen or appearing uncomfortable, you may have come across what many backyard chicken keepers refer to as "water belly." The proper term for this condition is ascites, and while it can look alarming, it's important to understand that this is not a disease in itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying issue. What is Water belly? Water belly in laying hens is characterized by the buildup of fluid in the abdomin

A prolapsed vent in laying hens is one of the most alarming conditions a chicken keeper can face. It appears suddenly, looks dramatic, and often leads people to believe it was unavoidable or simply “bad luck.” In reality, a prolapsed vent is rarely random. In backyard flocks, it is most often the result of long-term nutritional imbalance, even when the foods being offered are considered “healthy.” Understanding why this happens is key to prevention — and in some cases, early

A strong immune system is your flock’s first and most important defense against illness. Chickens are constantly exposed to bacteria, viruses, parasites, and environmental stressors. While we can’t prevent every pathogen from entering their environment, we can ensure their bodies are strong enough to fight back. For backyard chicken keepers especially, prevention is critical. Poultry veterinarians are not readily available, and treatment options are often limited. That’s why

The term GMO (genetically modified organism) often sparks strong opinions. Some poultry keepers actively seek out non-GMO feed, while others wonder whether GMO ingredients make any difference to the health of their chickens or the quality of the eggs they produce. With so much conflicting information available, it's easy to become confused. Understanding what GMOs are—and what they are not—can help poultry keepers make informed decisions based on science rather than misconcep

POULTRY NUTRITION IS A SCIENCE, NOT A RECIPE!! When it comes to raising backyard chickens, the excitement often leads poultry enthusiasts down the path of DIY chicken feed. After all, if you can make your own bread or brew your own beer, why not craft the perfect feed for your clucking companions? However, this booming trend is not without its pitfalls. Understanding the science behind chicken nutrition is paramount, and herein lies the reason to leave this task to the expert

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking of our backyard hens as little breakfast makers—drop an egg, repeat daily. But here's the truth: your hens are not Pez dispensers, egg machines, or tiny omelet factories. They're living, breathing animals with complex bodies, natural rhythms, and individual needs. Every egg your hen lays isn't a "product." It's ovulation—a natural reproductive process that takes energy, nutrients, and rest. When we start seeing eggs as a gift instea

Understanding how Modern Chicken Keeping Differs From the Past For generations, chickens were primarily viewed as farm animals raised for practical purposes: eggs, meat, and reproduction. Their care focused on productivity and survival rather than individual health or longevity. Today, backyard chicken keeping looks very different. Many chicken owners consider their hens beloved members of the family, recognizing their personalities, behaviours, and individual needs. Because

Many backyard chicken keepers believe that simply feeding their flock extra protein- like mealworms and other high-protein treats- will make their chickens healthier, lay more eggs or grow feathers faster. While it sounds logical, this is actually a misconception. Chickens don't have a protein requirement- they have an amino acid requirement, and understanding this difference is key to keeping your flock healthy. Protein vs. Amino Acids: What's the Difference? Protein is made

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has gained a reputation in backyard chicken circles as a supposed cure-all for poultry health. Many keepers add it to their flock's drinking water believing it will improve digestion, support gut health or even act as a natural dewormer. But when we look at the science behind poultry nutrition and health, the truth is much simpler: apple cider vinegar does not benefit your chickens' gut health. The Myth vs. The Reality The Myth: Apple cider vinegar "

As the cold weather rolls in, many backyard chicken keepers start adding cracked corn or scratch grains to their flocks diet, believing it helps keep their birds warm through the winter. It's a long-standing practice - but also one of the biggest misconceptions in poultry care. While it's true that chickens generate body heat through digestion, what they actually need to stay warm and healthy is balanced nutrition not a high-carb snack. The Myth: "Corn Keeps Chickens Warm" Cr

This blog could contain the most important information you could ever read regarding backyard chickens. Discover how decades of commercial poultry research reveal the key nutritional strategies for healthy hens and consistent, high-quality egg production-lessons every backyard chicken keeper can apply. When it comes to raising healthy, productive hens, no one has studied poultry nutrition more extensively than the commercial egg industry. While backyard flocks are smaller and

My 5 1/2 year old Cochin, still gifting me with eggs. Picture taken August 29th, 2025. Backyard chicken keepers often notice that their flock's egg baskets aren't as full as they once were. A pullet (young hen) that once laid consistently may begin producing fewer eggs as the years go by. While this decline can be frustrating, it's completely natural. Understanding why older hens lay fewer eggs as they age will help you manage expectations and care for your flock with confid

Pumpkin and Chickens: Why It's Overrated and Ineffective as a Dewormer Pumpkins are everywhere in the Fall, and many backyard chicken keepers love tossing a split pumpkin into the run for their flock. Social media is full of claims that pumpkin seeds act as a "natural dewormer" or that feeding pumpkin provides major health benefits for poultry. The truth? Pumpkin is not a dewormer and it's not a miracle food for chickens. The Myth of Pumpkin as a Dewormer Pumpkin seeds contai