Table of contents for November - December 2016 in Chickens

AmeraucanaAustralorpBrahmaBuckeyeChanteclerCochin DelawareDominiqueFaverolleHollandIcelandicJersey Giant LangshanNaked NeckNew HampshireOrpingtonPlymouth RockRhode Island Red Rhode Island WhiteRussian OrloffSussexSwedish Flower HenWelsummerWyandotte Australorps, Delawares, Hollands, Langshans, Naked Necks, New Hampshires, Orpingtons, Sussex, most Rhode Island Reds, and some Icelandics and Swedish Flower Hens have large, single combs that are prone to frostbite; the smaller single combs of Cochins, Jersey Giants, Plymouth Rocks and Welsummers can freeze but usually don’t. A few winter-hardy breeds such as Brahmas, Cochins, Faverolles and Langshans have feathered legs and toes that are mud and ice magnets, so they shouldn’t go out and wade in midwinter slush.…

For several years, my wife, Jennifer — affectionately known around here as The Rancherette — wanted two or three little Silkie chickens. “They are sooo cute,” she said. “They are sooo fluffy. They look like baby rabbits. They would be great pets.” You must understand: We already had 11 dogs on our property. They each have their own kennel space and receive the greatest of care. Most are retired Standard Poodle show dogs with a couple of rescue dogs and, lest I forget, an Airedale Terrier. I, the RancherWriterPoet, was not certain that chickens would be a good fit. So, quite obviously, my comment was always: “We don’t need any chickens. We have no place to keep them.” “But we could build a coop,” she would say. I ignored the…

Cooler weather calls for comfort food, and what better late fall/early winter comfort food is there than chicken pot pie? We fancied up the traditional recipe with wine and bacon for a new family favorite that is perfect to warm up a chilly evening. (Excerpted with permission from Pot Pies, 2013.) — Patricia Lehnhardt YIELD: 6 to 8 servings INGREDIENTS • 2 slices thick-cut bacon• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 3/4-inch cubes• 1 medium onion, diced (1 cup)• 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery (1/8-inch thick)• 2 garlic cloves, minced (1 tablespoon)• 1/2 cup dry white wine, such as pinot grigio• 1 bay leaf• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme• 2 large carrots, sliced 1/4-inch thick• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (2 cups)• 2 1/2 cups chicken stock• salt and pepper to taste• 1/2 cup frozen…

The egg is a dutiful worker in the kitchen and bakery, creating magic through its role as a binding or thickening agent, an emulsifier, a glaze and so much more. The egg’s amazing culinary feats can be attributed to its proteins and how they react to different elements, temperatures and applications. Both the proteins and moisture content contribute to leavening, for example. As an egg is rapidly beaten, the proteins unwind into a flexible film that encloses air bubbles, creating a fluffy texture that holds its shape. This process is critical for creating the perfect meringue or soufflé. When an egg is heated, the moisture converts to steam, creating air pockets in a food or baked good that give the product texture. The yolk enhances almost any food’s richness and…

Email the story of you and your chickens in 750 to 1,000 words to chickens@luminamedia.com (subject line: Chicken Chat). Be sure to include high-resolution images or photos of yourself, your chickens and/or your coop. Chicken Chat is sponsored by Stromberg’s Chickens and Game Birds Unlimited (800-720-1134; www.StrombergsChickens.com), which offers a selection of birds, books, supplies and equipment for the breeding, rearing and management of poultry, ducks, guineas, waterfowl, game birds, peafowl, pheasants, quail and doves! The author of each issue’s published essay will receive a special farm sign and T-shirt!…

I recommend the use of droppings boards underneath the roost to minimize droppings inside the coop. Droppings boards are essentially a shelf that catches droppings produced from chickens roosting at night. Droppings boards are scraped off into a bucket, ordinarily first thing in the morning, then added to compost. Any stray droppings found inside the coop are easily removed with a cat-litter scoop or sifter. Once a year, I remove the sand from my coops, clean the entire coop and fill it with fresh sand. Sand can be washed, dried thoroughly in the sun and reused.…

In the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District in Maplewood, Mo., sustainability practices and curricula have been embraced at all levels. Their Chicken Project fits right in with their focus, so in 2009, a flock was established at the district’s Early Childhood Education center. All of their campuses now have coops, so kids from early childhood to elementary, middle and high school enjoy the chickens, their eggs and the lessons they provide in lifecycle, biology, nutrition and care of the living world. The Chicken Project has spread its wings too, becoming a community resource. In fact, in 2010, some middle and high school students published a book, Chickenology: The Art & Science of Keeping Chickens, which is available for purchase through the school district office (www.mrhchickenology.weebly.com/index.html). Creating the book meant using…

Consistent biosecurity practices are the best way to prevent diseases. Here are a few tips: • Don’t share poultry tools or equipment with your neighbors.• Restrict access to your birds and property from other backyard chicken keepers.• Watch for early signs of infections to prevent the spread.• Report sick birds to your county extension.• Keep a clean pair of shoes and set of clothes that you only wear when you are working with your flock.• Isolate show birds for at least two weeks after a show.• Wash your hands thoroughly or use hand sanitizer before entering your coop.• Keep wild birds away from your coop/flock when possible.…

Send Us Your Pics! Email us a digital image of your chicken(s) to chickens@luminamedia.com (subject line: A Chicken in Every Shot). Include your name and address. We’ll randomly select images and send one photographer two security lights from Nite Guard Solar® (www.niteguard.com), which scare the wits out of night predators — including coyotes, foxes, hawks, owls, raccoons, skunks, weasels and more. This issue’s winner (photo at left) is Jenny De Groot from Eastsound, Wash.…

Dogs have guarded livestock for centuries. In my family’s flock, we’ve tried a variety of roosters to protect our hens from foxes and raptors, the two most active predators in my region. But none have been as successful as the simple, goofy presence of our large Shepherd mix, Winnie. She’s not a traditional guard dog, but rather a big, playful mutt that is more interested in eating chicken poop than chasing down predators or hunting wildlife. She has a very low prey drive and was raised around our flock from puppyhood, so everyone has had years to become acquainted. Truth be told, she’s not aware of the service she provides to us, but the results speak for themselves. If you’ve found yourself in a similar situation — distrustful of roosters,…

Don’t just run out and get a package of bees! Before you start, do your research, starting with these 10 pointers: 1 Know your bee-allergy status. Bee allergies aren’t common, but if you are unsure, seek out an allergist and get tested. 2 Check your local city laws in order to ensure that honeybee colonies are legal. Beekeeping start-up can be pricey, and you don’t want to purchase the equipment or honeybees only to discover that this activity is illegal in your town or city. 3 Order your honeybees early from a reputable company, and decide whether you’d prefer to purchase a package of bees, a nucleus hive or a completely established colony. Don’t wait until spring to find out that everyone’s sold out for the season. 4 Two colonies…

For many chicken keepers, the prospect of free-ranging birds is appealing because it’s a way to offer a healthier and more natural lifestyle for their flocks. The downside to free-ranging is that the chickens are more vulnerable to predators and accidents, along with the fact that the birds could free-range into areas where you may not want them, such as lawns or porches. A chicken tractor can help bridge the gap between confinement and free-ranging. Essentially a portable chicken run, a chicken tractor is a simple structure that is wired off to protect the chickens but still offers some form of shade. Some can be quite elaborate, complete with roosts and nest boxes, but the following design is for a basic chicken tractor that is intended for daytime use in…

Chickens of the Year Laura Campbell from Santa Fe, Texas, will recieve a $100 worth of Rooster Booster Products (775-428-2000; www.roosterbooster products.com), plus $150 from Chickens magazine. My mom recently passed away. She was my world and devastation doesn’t even begin to cover the depths of my grief. She and I started our chicken adventure together, sitting in the yard and listening to their egg songs, replying to them — in “chicken,” of course. I can sometimes find some solace out in the coop. I close my eyes and listen to their egg songs, and I can hear my mom having conversations with them. I can hold them in my lap and feel the memories we shared with each bird. They are no longer just chickens; they are living pieces of…