Chickens is a trusted resource for information on the nutrition, health and wellbeing of these delightful birds, as well as the care, collection and consumption of their eggs. Includes timeless "how-to's", valuable advice, and entertaining photos.
Shorter daylight length, colder weather and more time in the coop all combine to alter your chickens’ daily routines as fall turns toward winter. This causes changes in their nutritional needs, particularly in colder weather regions, such as the Upper Midwest and New England states. As chicken keepers, it’s important for us to understand how these changes impact our chickens’ dietary needs and to feed the flock accordingly. That way, our birds will stay healthy even through chilly winter weather. Increase Feed Rations Daylight hours are less and temperatures get colder as winter approaches, and hens naturally cut back on egg production and begin replacing feathers lost during molting. They use the protein they consume in their layer ration to produce new feathers instead of eggs, and when daylight falls…
Here are some helpful hints for feeding your flock overwinter. • A handful of scratch feed — a mix of cracked corn, oats and wheat — per 10 birds can be broadcast on the litter in the late afternoon. The scratch feed will keep the birds busy, and [the birds] will help turn over the litter. — Richard J. Brzozowski, poultry specialist, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, “Winter Care of Your Laying Hens” • It is common for birds to experience their annual molt, the time when the shedding and growth of new feathers occurs, at the end of the fall. Adding vitamins will help provide the additional nutrients that birds need during molting and falling temperatures. — Michigan State University Extension, “Preparing Your Chickens for Winter” • Many people…
A very old and attractive breed, the Brabanter displays a full beard; a small, upright crest; and muffs. While it’s considered an ornamental breed , a Brabanter hen will lay a decent amount of large, white eggs during spring and summer and won’t go broody. Friendly and somewhat shy, the Brabanter doesn't mind handling. Its small crest doesn't get as dirty as other breeds' crests, but owners should keep a tidy coop to preserve feather quality. The Brabanter stands at medium height and has an upright, alert stance, with a long back and a well-spread tail held high. See a photo of a Brabanter rooster on page 2 of this issue. In the U .S., the Brabanter appears most often in Cream or Golden plumages. Most varieties have slate -blue shanks.…
It can be almost impossible to find a veterinarian who treats chickens, especially if you want the birds treated in a holistic manner. When that’s the case, it’s best to learn to handle minor injuries and sickness yourself. To begin, pick one or more holistic modality. Then, buy, gather or grow appropriate remedies and learn to use them before emergencies occur. In the past few issues of Chickens magazine, we’ve discussed herbs (March/April 2017), essential oils and aromatherapy (May/ June 2017), homeopathy (July/August 2017) and flower essences (September/October 2017). In this column, we’ll discuss home remedies. Some home remedies aren’t related to any specific holistic healing system such as homeopathy or flower essences. They’re basically homemade concoctions created using things from everyday life, such as apple cider vinegar, garlic, garden…
I enhanced my chicken-keeping abilities when I scavenged a dog crate someone left at the curb. How? Well, I call it the “metal kennel.” My wife, Chris, and I have used it to sequester broody chickens until they got over their moods. It has also temporarily housed Black Dahlia, an adult Marans we adopted. Living in sight and smell of the home team — but away from petty pecking — she quickly became an adopted, if low-ranking, teammate. Lately, we use the metal kennel as a halfway house for four pullets: an Easter Egger named Violetta; a Wyandotte, Stella D’oro; and two Dominiques, Domenica and Mezzaluna. My wife raised them from day-old chicks, keeping them in the shower stall in our mudroom. As they filled out, we planned to introduce…
Do you keep creatures in? Or do you keep creatures out? That is the ultimate question of livestock fencing. The answer lies in just about any gauge metal or plastic wire or electrified, old-fashioned, moveable or stationary fencing. We’re a lucky bunch of chicken keepers, to be able to keep birds in an age of technology where just about anything is available at our fingertips. Let’s explore three of the available styles and technologies of livestock fencing and how well they work for our flocks. Why Do You Need It? Before spending a bundle on, well, a bundle of fencing, ask yourself why you need the material. Will you use it to rotate pastures for chickens to graze during the day? Will it keep all manner of predators out of…
