If you keep backyard chickens and you also have raccoons in your area, your chickens are at risk. Raccoons are cute creatures - at least I think so - but they are also very dangerous, especially to ...
How To Keep Neighbors Chickens Out of My Yard? 6 Methods
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info. Whether you have your own chickens or not, you don’t want your neighbor’s chickens coming into your yard. It’s a ...
Why Do Chickens Eat Styrofoam? (Not What You Think)
I’ve heard it so many times over the years, “Why do chickens eat styrofoam?”. It’s bizarre, but I’ve never met a chicken that could resist eating styrofoam given the chance. It’s not good for them ...
How Many Eyelids Do Chickens Have? (3 Here's Why!+ Video)
Chickens, much like most birds and some mammals have three eyelids. They have upper and lower eyelids (like us) and a third eyelid that sweeps in from the side called a translucent nictitating ...
What Is Flystrike in Chickens? | Prevention and Cures Explained
Seeing flystrike in chickens is one of the most shocking sights I’ve ever seen. Also known as myiasis, flystrike is caused by flies laying eggs on a chicken. Their eggs then hatch into maggots, and ...
How Many Chickens for a Family of 4 To Supply Eggs and Meat?
If you’re trying to work out how many chickens you need to supply enough eggs for a family of 4, the golden rule is three chickens per two members of a household. So that means 6 chickens would be ...
When Do Araucana Chickens Start Laying Eggs? (Facts & Tips)
Araucana chickens start laying eggs between 20-24 weeks’ of age. Araucana hens are great layers, typically laying around 200-230 blue - that’s right, blue! - eggs per year. This unique looking breed ...
When Do Ameraucana Chickens Start Laying Eggs? (Facts & Info)
Ameraucana chickens start laying eggs between 20-24 weeks (5-6 months) of age. They are one of few breeds to reliability lay blue eggs, so I can appreciate you’re anxious to start collecting their ...
Portuguese Rooster Meaning Explained
Few things are more iconic and as commonly associated with Portugal as the Barcelos Rooster. But what’s the meaning of the colorful Portuguese rooster? There are various stories, each as interesting ...
Do Chickens Eat Squash Bugs? (Most Do!)
Chickens do eat squash bugs, yes. In fact, they’ll eat most bugs - pest control is one of the many benefits of raising backyard chickens. The downside, however, is that they’ll also munch on your ...
Where To Buy Silkies Online and How Much They Cost
Silkies are one of the most popular - and unique breeds of backyard chickens. It’s also hard to deny they are the cutest looking chickens with their fuzzy coats. If you want to raise Silkies, here’s ...
What Is a Showgirl Silkie? (A Look at This Cute & Unique Chicken)
A showgirl Silkie is one of the most interesting and adorable looking chickens (not just my opinion). It’s no surprise, as they are a combination of two of the most unique, or “weird” looking breeds; ...
Do Chickens Have Shoulders? (Yes, Plus "Oyster" Meat)
Chickens do have shoulders, just not in exactly the same way we do. They’re located where their wings are attached to their bodies, but tucked away under their feathers. If you’re looking for a ...
Can Chickens Drink Rain Water?
Chickens can drink rain water, yes. In fact, most backyard chicken owners find their chickens seem to prefer puddles of rainwater over using their waterer, just like most animals. The risk of illness ...
Do Chickens Have Tails? (+ What Their Tails Can Tell You)
Chickens do have tails, yes. They have tailbones as part of their skeleton, and you can see they have tails if you take a good look. Chickens have tail feathers too, with roosters having additional ...
Do Chickens Have Nipples? (Here's Why They Don't)
Chickens do not have nipples, no. They do have breasts, but they do not have mammary glands and are not able to produce milk as mammals do. This applies to all birds, as birds are of a different order ...
Do Chickens Have Elbows? (They Do!)
Chickens do have elbows, yes. Despite having wings instead of arms, chickens have a lot of the same bones and joints as us in their skeletal system. This includes the humerus and the radius/ulna, ...
Do Chickens Have Brains? (Yes, But Not As You Think)
Chickens do have brains, yes. Interestingly, most of a chicken’s brain is located at the back of their skull, particularly the stem and parts that keep a chicken alive. Hence, why a chicken can run ...
Chicken Run Wood Chips - Why It's The Best Flooring
You have a number of options when choosing a suitable material for your chickens run. However, wood chips are, in my opinion, the best option for a chicken run as they help keep smells to a minimum, ...
Is Mulch Safe for Chickens? (Depends What's In It!)
Generally speaking, mulch is safe for chickens. Some backyard chicken owners use it for bedding or the floor in their run, and use it around their garden without an issue. Mulch comes in various forms ...
Do Chickens Eat Frogs and Toads? (Toxic Risks Explained)
Chickens do and will eat frogs and toads, yes. Chickens are omnivores, they will eat just about any small amphibians, lizards, and insects they can get a hold of. Frogs pose a low health risk. Toads, ...
How Much Is a Rooster Worth? (How To Rehome Roos)
Wondering how much a rooster is worth? Whether you have a fully grown mature rooster or have hatched some male chicks, unless you have a rare or prized breed on your hands, unfortunately, roosters ...
Why Do Roosters Attack Hens? (4 Reasons and Solutions)
Are your hens being harassed and attacked by your rooster(s)? There are a number of reasons why this might be happening; it might be mating rituals, environmental conditions, boredom, or just a ...
Is Chicken Poop Toxic To Dogs? (Gross, but Harmful?)
Chicken poop can be toxic to dogs, yes. Typically, only if your flock is harboring parasites or diseases that can be passed through their poop though. Still, there’s no question it’s gross, so you ...
Can Pigs and Chickens Live Together? (Actually, Yes)
Pigs and chickens can live together, yes. In fact, it’s not uncommon for chickens, pigs, and other animals to coexist perfectly fine on a farm. There are a few things you need to be aware of, but it’s ...
Can Chickens Eat Dill? (Benefits of Herbs for Chickens)
Chickens can benefit from lots of different herbs, and dill is one of the herbs that offer some useful health benefits. It’s packed with antioxidants to promote a healthy immune system, aids ...
Can Chickens Eat Basil? (Nutrient-Dense Herbs/Benefits)
Basil is one of the best herbs for chickens. They’ll happily eat it, and your hens will benefit from the antibacterial properties and wide range of vitamins, minerals, and immune system boosting ...
Can Chickens Eat Lemongrass? (Health Benefits & Uses)
Chickens can and will eat lemongrass, and it’s fine in small amounts. Whether you’re trying to grow it, or you want to know if you can feed it to your hens - they’ll eat it either way. There are some ...
Can Chickens Eat Mint? (Cool and Refreshing + Healthy)
Chickens can eat mint, spearmint, peppermint, and other mint plants, yes. If you’re looking to add a herb to your garden, mint is one of the best. It offers a number of health benefits and other ...
Can Chickens Eat Ginger? (Spices for Chickens!)
Ginger is great for chickens. There are studies showing ginger is a laying stimulant, an antioxidant, can reduce stress, stimulate appetite, and more! If you have some spare ginger, your chickens will ...
Can Chickens Eat Cinnamon? (My Favorite Spice)
If you want to experiment with giving your chickens spices, cinnamon is one of the best. Chickens will happily eat cinnamon, and they can benefit from its antibacterial, antioxidant, and ...
Do Chickens Eat Lizards? (Things To Be Aware Of)
Chickens do and will eat most small backyard lizards, amphibians, reptiles, and so on. Basically, anything that moves and is small enough to be overpowered by chicken is at risk of being ...
Do Chickens Eat Centipedes? (More Legs the Better!)
Chickens do eat centipedes, yes. They’re just one in a long line of insects, bugs, and backyard pests that chickens gobble up on sight. Some centipedes will put up a fight, but they don’t pose any ...
Do Chickens Eat Maggots? (Gross but Incredibly Nutritious)
Chickens do and will eat maggots if they find them, yes. Not only is it fine for hens to eat maggots, but they are also rich in protein and provide a nutritious snack. Some backyard chicken owners ...
Do Chickens Eat Boxelder Bugs? (Safe, Tasty Snacks for Chooks)
Chickens do eat boxelder bugs, yes. Most backyard chicken owners are perfectly fine with this as boxelder bugs can become a real problem when they grow in numbers. If they invade your home or other ...
Do Chickens Eat Yellow Jackets? (Effective Pest Control)
Chickens do and will eat yellow jackets if they can catch them. It’s perfectly fine for them to do so, and they provide a decent little snack. The risk of being stung is minimal, and they are not ...
Do Chickens Eat Wasps? (Yes, Snacks on Wings)
Chickens do eat wasps if they can catch them, yes. Like most insects, wasps provide a nutritional little snack for hens. Don't worry, the chance of being stung is minimal and they’re really not ...
Do Chickens Eat Slugs? (They Do, but They Shouldn't!)
Chickens do and will eat slugs without a second thought. In fact, there are very few bugs or insects chickens will pass on. There are some risks to be aware of with slugs, however, not to mention it’s ...
Do Chickens Eat Bees? (Yes, but Here's Why They Shouldn't)
Chickens do eat bees, yes. It’s totally safe for them to do so. In fact, a lot of homesteads and wildlife enthusiasts keep both chickens and bees in close proximity without any issues. Your hens will ...
Can Chickens Eat Rosemary? (Plus Other Powerful Herbs)
Most herbs are great for chickens, and rosemary is one of the best. Chickens can eat rosemary plants and leaves and will benefit from various health and wellness properties. You can also use it in and ...