Why Do Chickens Peck Each Other’s Feathers?

3 Steps to Stopping a Broody Hen

By Andrew Penn, on July 28th, 2011

If you’re experiencing a decline in egg production among some of your hens, heat may be one explanation, but broodiness may be another. Unless you have a rooster in your flock to fertilize your hen’s eggs and you also want your hen to hatch baby chicks, you probably don’t want your hen to be broody. If [...] . . . → Read More: 3 Steps to Stopping a Broody Hen

Introducing Chicks to Your Flock

By Andrew Penn, on June 20th, 2011

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Any homesteader will tell you that introducing new chicks to your flock is a stressful experience, especially if you are doing it for the first time. Chickens live in a flock according to a pecking order: the rooster (if there is one) or hen with the most dominant personality presides at the top of the [...] . . . → Read More: Introducing Chicks to Your Flock

6 Ways to Stop Your Chickens from Eating Their Eggs

By Andrew Penn, on May 20th, 2011

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Chickens can develop naughty habits if they aren’t fed and cared for properly. One of the most frustrating habits chickens can develop is eating their own eggs. This bad habit is not only bad for your chickens but it also deprives you of fresh and delicious eggs. Here are some ways you can prevent your chickens [...] . . . → Read More: 6 Ways to Stop Your Chickens from Eating Their Eggs

Caring for Your Brooding Hen in 5 Steps

By Andrew Penn, on April 15th, 2011

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Although many homesteaders choose to incubate their eggs with an electric incubator, if you have roosters in your flock, there is a good chance your hens might become broody. Some types of chickens have been bred so that they are not broody, as broodiness decreases egg production, makes hens more vulnerable to disease and detrimental [...] . . . → Read More: Caring for Your Brooding Hen in 5 Steps

Why Do Chickens Peck Each Other’s Feathers?

By Andrew Penn, on March 6th, 2011

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One day you may walk out to your chicken coop to find your chickens plucking feathers out of each other. This seemingly unusual behavior can be disturbing to the attentive homesteader: you might find one of your chickens with a completely naked neck or large patch of feathers missing from the vent area. Patches of [...] . . . → Read More: Why Do Chickens Peck Each Other’s Feathers?