Backyard chickens bring so much more than fresh eggs — they’re entertaining companions. But when the egg basket isn’t as full as it used to be, it can feel confusing and frustrating. The truth is, several factors can affect egg production, and understanding them is the first step to helping your flock. Understanding Egg Production A healthy laying hen can produce up to 300 eggs per year, depending on breed, age, health, diet, and environmental conditions. Chickens need the ri

Raising baby chicks can be an exciting venture, to both new and experienced poultry enthusiasts. However, one crucial aspect of caring for these delicate creatures is providing the right source of heat. While heat lamps have long been the preferred choice, brooder plates are now changing the game. This blog post explores the many benefits of using a brooder plate, highlighting its potential to revolutionize the way we rear poultry. Understanding Brooder Plates A brooder plat

Raising baby chicks is exciting, but it also comes with important responsibilities. One of the first decisions new chicken keepers face is whether to feed medicated starter feed. Many people are unsure what medicated feed actually is, how it works, and whether their chicks truly need it. Understanding the purpose of medicated starter feed can help you make informed decisions that support the health and development of your young flock. This article explains what medicated star

Backyard chicken keeping has exploded in popularity across North America with it a wave of online advice, forums and social media groups dedicated to flock health. One topic that often pops up in these spaces is depluming mites- parasites that cause feather loss by burrowing into the shafts of feathers, leading to itching, irritation and broken plumage. While depluming mites are a real poultry parasite, it's important for backyard chicken owners to understand that they are no

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 c

Feeding Eggshells to Chickens: The Basics There’s a common belief among chicken keepers that feeding eggshells to chickens is a good idea. After all, shells are made of calcium carbonate, and chickens need calcium for strong bones and healthy eggs. It seems logical—but when your hens are already on a nutritionally complete layer feed, feeding eggshells to chickens can actually do more harm than good. Understanding Calcium Requirements Laying hens require significant amounts

Backyard chicken keepers are always looking for natural ways to boost their flock's health, and over the years, garlic and herbs have become popular "ad-ins" to poultry diets. Social media is filled with claims that sprinkling herbs in the coop or adding garlic to drinking water can prevent parasites, improve immunity or even replace veterinary medicine. While the ideas sound appealing, the reality is that herbs and garlic offer no proven advantage to poultry health. The Myth

Backyard chickens bring joy and fresh eggs to any homestead, but offering the right diet is crucial for their health. Many owners mistakenly believe that wild bird food, like suet, is safe for chickens. This post highlights the serious risks of feeding wild bird suet to your backyard chickens. Understanding Suet and Its Ingredients Suet is primarily rendered animal fat enhanced with seeds, dried fruits, and other additives to lure wild birds. While it can be an energy booster

Keeping chickens is incredibly rewarding, but it comes with challenges. One of the biggest is managing rodents in and around your yard. Rodents can steal feed, spread disease, and even harm your flock. Fortunately, with the right strategies, you can minimize their presence and protect your chickens. Grampa's Feeder- The best and easiest way to deter rodents. Understanding the Rodent Problem Rodents are attracted to your chicken yard mainly because of food and shelter . Chick

Ensuring the health and productivity of laying hens requires both knowledge and proper nutrition. One of the most important, yet often overlooked, components of a hen’s diet is crushed oyster shell . (We offer high-quality crushed oyster shell in both 1 kg and 2 kg sizes — ideal for backyard flocks of all sizes.) This simple supplement can have a significant impact on eggshell strength, egg production, and overall hen health , making it an essential addition for both farmers

Chickens are a familiar sight across the country, from thriving farms to peaceful backyards. Yet, there’s an intriguing question that chicken lovers and casual observers often ask: Why do wild chickens appear to be healthier than their domesticated counterparts? My sister recently took a trip to Key West. Wild chickens are quite common there. While she was in Key West she was admiring how shiny the feathers were and how healthy the wild chickens looked. She took this picture

Chick season is right around the corner, and many backyard chicken keepers will soon be adding new birds to their flock. This is often when “Chicken Math” starts to happen — you begin with a few chickens and somehow end up with many more! Introducing new chickens doesn’t have to be stressful or chaotic. With careful preparation, observation, and patience, you can help your flock adjust smoothly while minimizing stress and aggression. Understanding Chicken Social Behavior Chic

Understanding the social behavior of chickens may not top many people’s lists of priorities, but those curious about these fascinating birds are in for a treat. Chickens are much more than just farm animals; they are complex creatures with intricate social structures. From understanding their pecking order to their communication methods. The Pecking Order: Nature's Hierarchy One of the most notable aspects of chicken social behavior is the "pecking order." This hierarchy dict

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

Are you a chicken keeper worried about scaly leg mites? These tiny pests can lead to serious issues for your flock, causing discomfort and affecting their mobility. Recognizing the signs early and taking action can make a huge difference in your chickens’ health. This post will empower you with essential knowledge about scaly leg mites, how to identify them, and effective treatment options, including some lesser-known approaches that are worth considering. Understanding Scaly

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. I personall

Chickens at different stages of development require different feed formulations. Many people are unsure when and why to transition pullets that have not yet begun laying to a layer feed , or why it is important not to make this switch too early. With chick season approaching, this information may be helpful for new chicken owners. One of the most common questions new chicken owners ask is, “When should I switch my chicks from starter feed to layer feed?” Switching too early c

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

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

Our Welsummer Rooster What Is Biosecurity? - and Why Does It Matter? Biosecurity is the set of preventative practices designed to reduce the introduction and spread of infectious diseases. In backyard poultry, biosecurity is your first — and often only — line of defense. In Canada, access to poultry veterinarians and medications is limited. That means prevention carries far more weight than treatment. Proper biosecurity reduces the risk of devastating diseases such as: Avian