Is paying the higher price of pullet chicks affordably justified?

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

If you use sand for litter in your chicken runs, proper chicken run maintenance is essential. It can become compacted in high-traffic areas. Near doors, drinkers, feeders, and along paths, sand gets packed down, making it harder to scoop droppings and keep your runs clean. We recently discovered a cordless rototiller , and it has completely transformed the way we maintain our sand litter. After one season of use, this tool proved to be faster, easier, and less labor-intensiv

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 want strong, productive laying hens that reward you with beautiful, nutrient-rich eggs day after day, it’s simple: feed a high-quality, nutritionally complete layer feed—and nothing else. With over seven years of poultry-keeping experience, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful proper nutrition is. When hens receive exactly what their bodies require, they thrive. When their diets are diluted with scraps, treats, or “extras”—even well-intended ones—egg production drops, heal

If you keep backyard laying hens, you've probably noticed that egg production naturally drops as the days grow shorter in fall and winter. This happens because hens are sensitive to day length-fewer daylight hours signal their bodies to slow down egg production. Many chicken keepers turn to supplemental lighting to help maintain a steady supply of eggs through the darker months. But does it really work, and is it healthy for your flock? Let's break it down. Why Light Matter

Don't let a chicken emergency catch you off guard! Owning chickens means you never know when an emergency might arise. Injuries, illness, or sudden health issues can appear without warning, and quick action can make all the difference. Having a well-stocked chicken first aid kit ensures you can care for your birds immediately, without wasting time searching for supplies. Here’s a complete guide to the items I personally keep on hand, organized around the most common chicken p

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

For many backyard chicken keepers, collecting clean eggs is a top priority. However, several factors influence how clean your eggs will be. The systems you set up in your coop and run—such as nesting material , litter , and droppings boards —play a key role in ensuring consistently clean eggs. Quick Tips for Collecting Clean Eggs Use sand for litter to help clean hens’ feet before they enter the nest boxes. Install droppings boards under roosts to reduce manure buildup.

How to Control Moisture in the Chicken Coop - Without the Need for Ventilation When it comes to keeping backyard chickens, one of the biggest concerns is moisture buildup inside the coop. Many sources stress the need for ventilation, but if you keep your coop clean and use the right systems, you can maintain a dry, healthy environment for your flock without relying on ventilation at all. Step 1: Start With the Right Litter - Sand is King Using sand for litter in your chicke

DIY Poultry Nipple Drinker Backyard poultry keepers constantly seek ways to enhance the health and productivity of their flocks. One of the most effective innovations in poultry care is the use of nipple drinkers, which are quickly replacing traditional open drinkers in backyards. IMPROVED HYGIENE AND CLEANLINESS One of the standout benefits of nipple drinkers is the significant boost in hygiene. Open drinkers can easily gather contamination from droppings, dirt and spilled w

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 h