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 […]
Molting Chickens Have you noticed the number of feathers around your coop and on the ground increasing? It might seem like feathers are everywhere, and it might also seem like this happened overnight. At the same time, your hens are losing their feathers and have also gone on an egg-laying strike. You are not, in […]
The sizzling days of summer are approaching. You can dress down to your bathing suit and take a dip in the pool to cool down and feel refreshed. However, your feathered friends don’t have it so easy to cool themselves. With a feather coat year-round, they rely on their humans to keep them cool. Unless […]
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 & […]
A Birder’s Guide to Preparing for Spring Hints of spring are in the air… literally. You might even see them in large groups flying north. Some migratory birds are starting to fly north, depending on their starting point and destination. But when do migratory birds return to your backyard? Let’s look at when migratory birds […]
American novelist Paul Theroux once said, “Winter is a season of recovery and preparation.” If you are an avid backyard chicken collector, winter is also a great season to start preparing for baby chicks to arrive on chick days. Although it might seem a little early, depending on your geographic location, baby chicks will soon […]
Spring has officially arrived. Grass is green, the trees are budding, and birds have migrated back to their homes. That means it is officially birdwatching season. As bird watchers you enjoy seeing these feathered friends and hearing their songs. Why not offer them a prebiotic treat for wild birds the next time you fill your […]
If you own chickens or any living animal, you are probably passionate about making sure they stay healthy. Healthy chickens are happy chickens that are low stress, grow and lay eggs regularly. One way to ensure they stay healthy is to defend their digestive system from stress with Backyard Boost® Defense. Defense is a liquid […]
There’s nothing cuter than a fluffy, baby chick, especially when that chick is healthy, happy and chirping. However, there is a lot of stress associated with moving those little babies from the hatchery to the store and to their forever home in your backyard, and keeping them healthy starts with keeping them hydrated. Since up […]