Spring is here, and across the country, backyard flock owners are gearing up for the season. Whether you’re a seasoned chicken keeper or bringing home your very first birds, spring is chick season. Chances are, you’ve already heard the buzz around TSC Chick Days. These seasonal events at Tractor Supply stores introduce millions of Americans […]
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? We might never answer that age-old riddle. However, with Chick Days soon approaching, it is time to answer the question that our team has been posed lately: where to buy chickens near me? Yes, as soon as we enter the new year, it’s time to start planning […]
Old man winter is coming our way. No one likes to think about being out in the cold, but we also don’t like being cooped up all winter long, either. The days are short, typically grey and dreary. So, there is no place to go, but inside beside that nice, cozy fire, curled up with […]
Birds of a feather flock together, but that will only keep them warm for so long. If you are a backyard chicken enthusiast, you likely already know how to heat a chicken coop. However, did you know there are other ways to keep chickens warm once the frigid winter temperatures drop? At BioZyme®, makers of […]
Your backyard feathered friends are here for a reason. You enjoy their companionship. They are entertaining, fun to watch, and even relieve stress at the end of a long day. Those chickens become part of the family, just like any animal does. However, chickens in the backyard lend themselves to becoming prey. As hen-enthusiasts ourselves, […]
Chicken Predators Birds of a feather flock together, but there isn’t always safety in numbers. Especially when it comes to chickens and predators. Chickens, especially those found in backyards or raised free-range, are prey birds. They are susceptible to predatory animals—both wild and domestic—attacking them during both daytime and nighttime hours. At Backyard Boost®, we […]
Many new chicken owners ask us, “When do chickens molt?” Well, the answer is more involved than you might expect. Chickens typically molt in response to changes in environmental factors, particularly light and temperature. Your chickens might also molt due to natural physiological processes or simply due to stress. The molting period generally occurs once […]
Chicken Breeds Variety is the spice of life. When selecting the ideal chicken breeds to raise in your backyard, there is more than enough variety to choose from. Do you want to raise birds that are known merely for their productivity? Do you want to raise friendly chicken breeds? Or do you want to raise […]
Hen House We may never know which came first, the chicken or the egg. However, we do know that a happy, healthy hen—not dealing with chicken heat stress—is more likely to be a more productive egg layer. And a more dynamic part of your family! Nobody enjoys the heat and humidity of the hottest days […]
Chicken Heat Stress Symptoms Chicken heat stress can have serious implications for their health, welfare and productivity—particularly during hot and humid conditions. Recognizing the signs of heat stress in chickens is crucial for implementing timely interventions to prevent heat-related illnesses and losses. Chicken Heat Stress Symptoms Some common chicken heat stress symptoms include: Panting & […]