Many chicken owners notice their hens developing bald spots around the neck, breast, back, or vent. While molting or pecking are often the first suspects, one of the most overlooked contributing factors is diet. The biggest mistake backyard chicken keepers make is not usually failing to provide a nutritionally complete feed, but rather the additional foods, treats, and supplements offered alongside it. These extras can unintentionally dilute or disrupt the carefully balanced

Keeping chickens is incredibly rewarding, but flies can be a persistent challenge. Flies are more than just an annoyance—they spread disease, affect egg production, and make the coop unpleasant. The good news? With the right approach, fly control can be simple, natural, and effective. It’s an Overall Management System Fly populations in your yard are determined by your overall management system. No matter your setup or flock size, the key is a clean, dry environment for your

Raising healthy backyard chickens isn't just about feed, housing and fresh water- it also means protecting your birds from internal parasites. Worm infestations can impact egg production, body condition and overall flock health. While parasites are a normal part of poultry biology, unmanaged worm burdens can cause serious issues. That's why having a thoughtful deworming strategy in place is key for backyard chicken keepers. A healthy chicken can manage a reasonable worm load.

As the winter months linger, backyard flock owners face a unique set of challenges in protecting their chickens. Among these threats, frostbite; combs, wattles—specifically on the feet—poses a significant risk that often goes overlooked. Understanding the signs, symptoms, and prevention methods for frostbite in chickens can help ensure that your flock remains healthy and thriving throughout the colder months. Frostbite occurs when body tissue freezes due to prolonged exposure

Backyard chicken keeping has grown tremendously across North America. With this growth has come a large online community of chicken owners sharing photos, experiences and advice through social media groups and forums. While these communities can be a wonderful source of support, they can also contribute to misinformation when symptoms are quickly diagnosed without understanding the many possible causes behind them. One of the most common examples is feather loss. A chicken wi

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is often promoted as a natural solution for parasites and flock health. But “natural” does not automatically mean safe. Arsenic and mercury are natural too — yet clearly dangerous. Many chicken keepers unknowingly expose their birds (and themselves) to serious health risks by using diatomaceous earth in coops, dust baths, and even feed. What Is Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth? Diatomaceous earth is a fine powder made from fossilized aquatic organisms cal

Winter chicken care comes with unique challenges, and frostbite is one of the most serious risks during extreme cold. While chickens are cold-hardy, their combs, wattles, and feet are vulnerable — and common “quick fixes” like Vaseline can actually make things worse. Let’s break down what frostbite really is, why it happens, and how to prevent it properly. Understanding Frostbite in Chickens Frostbite - essentially a cold burn - happens when body tissues freeze, damaging the

What is the Deep Litter Method? The deep litter method is a system of chicken waste management that allows droppings and bedding material to compost inside the coop, rather than being cleaned out and replaced regularly. With this method, a carbon-based litter such as pine shavings, leaves, or grass clippings absorbs nitrogen from the chicken droppings. Over time, this material decomposes in a low-odor process, producing a rich humus similar to traditional compost. We personal

This is a very controversial topic among backyard chicken keepers—and for good reason. As a general rule, we do not heat our chicken coop during the winter. However, there are occasional exceptions during periods of extreme cold. When I say extreme cold, I’m referring to overnight lows of -15°C to -20°C, especially when combined with windchill. Those are the kinds of nights where some additional support may be considered. Chickens Are Built for the Cold Most winter nights, ad

Chickens stuck inside their chicken run because of cold, snowy weather? I have a few enrichment activities to keep them out of each others "hair!" Why Winter Boredom Matters When temperatures drop, boredom can creep into the chicken coop. Snow and mud cover scratching areas, bugs disappear, and daylight hours shorten—all of which limit your flock’s natural foraging behaviors. Boredom isn’t just a mood issue: it can lead to feather picking, stress, and even reduced egg product

As the days grow shorter and temperatures begin to drop, backyard chicken keepers know it’s time to shift gears. Winter brings new challenges—freezing water, frostbite risk, reduced egg production, and limited outdoor activity. With proper preparation and management, chickens can thrive throughout winter. Their needs are simple. When those needs are consistently met, winter care becomes straightforward and highly manageable. The Four Essentials of Winter Chicken Care There ar

As the seasons shift and days grow shorter, your chickens face challenges that can quietly affect their health, egg production, and overall well-being. Autumn is the perfect time to prepare your coop and flock so they remain healthy, comfortable, and productive through winter. Evaluate Your Coop Before the first frost, inspect your coop for drafts, leaks, or areas where moisture could enter. Chickens tolerate cold well, but dampness and wind increase the risk of frostbite and

If you keep backyard laying hens, you've probably heard the claim that adding lights to a chicken coop forces hens to lay eggs, eventually wearing them out or causing them to "run out of eggs." So, is it myth or fact? The answer is myth. Supplemental lighting does not force a hen to lay eggs if her body isn't physically ready. Instead, it simply extends the amount of daylight she experiences, encouraging her natural reproductive system to continue functioning through the shor

Healthy Feathers Start from the Inside Out This is my molting Welsummer. If you've kept chickens for any length of time, you've likely noticed a period each year when your chickens suddenly look a little ragged. Feathers drop, egg production slows- or even stops- and your once glossy, well-dressed flock looks like it's been through a windstorm. This natural process is called the annual molt, and while it may seem alarming, it's an essential part of your chickens' health and w

Backyard poultry keepers are always looking for ways to improve the health and productivity of their flocks. One of the best innovations in poultry care is the use of nipple drinkers, which are quickly replacing traditional open waterers in many backyard coops. At Roslin Poultry Ranch, we also handcraft our own poultry nipple drinkers for our in-person retail store. We build them using black food-grade buckets, which help block light and reduce algae growth by limiting the am

Chickens are often seen as hardy, adaptable animals, but when it comes to high temperatures, they are actually at a disadvantage. While many backyard keepers worry most about winter, hot weather can be far more dangerous to a flock than cold. Chickens are not built to handle extreme hot weather. They have no sweat glands, wear a natural insulating layer of feathers year-round, and maintain a body temperature around 107°F (41.7°C). Once temperatures rise, especially with humid