Table of contents for September - October 2025 in Chickens

If you’ve ever watched your chicken flock scratch, dust bathe or chatter contentedly to one another, it’s easy to assume all is well in the coop. And most of the time, it probably is. But just like us, chickens experience stress, and while they can’t tell us how they’re feeling, stress often shows up in subtle ways that can affect both their behavior and their health. Unlike wild birds, our backyard chickens are entirely dependent on us to provide an environment that meets their needs and helps them feel safe. When those needs aren’t met — or when life throws in an unexpected stressor — it can impact everything from egg laying to immune function. So how do we know what’s stressing out our chickens? And more importantly, what can…

My husband’s chicken coop was more than just a shelter; it was a fortress. As a welder, he’d built it from scratch with a metal frame and redwood siding he milled himself. Even the shutters were metal and could be raised on nice days. I always thought it was impressive, but I didn’t truly appreciate it until the night of the storm. Heavy rain had been pouring for hours, and the wind was fierce. In the middle of the night, I was startled awake by a massive crash. A huge 80-foot cedar tree had fallen, right on top of the coop. I rushed outside, my heart in my throat, expecting the worst. When we got to the coop, the scene was surprising. The fallen tree had landed directly on the…

The telltale feathers scattered throughout our runs plainly announced that autumn molting season was once again upon us. Some birds, such as the one we named Butters Orpington, dropped a few feathers each day, retaining a full, fluffy appearance throughout the past couple of months. Others, such as Fitzgirl Orpington … yeeesh! Poor Fitzgirl looked like she forgot to take off her Halloween porcupine costume. Her molt was so severe that my son Jaeson and I had to clean out the entire chicken coop, all three nest boxes and the waterer, which was plastered with discarded black feathers. Jaeson was disgusted. “Why’d she drop all her feathers when none of the other girls did?” he asked. Why did Fitzgurl look like a horror-flick reject while her coopmates look like pageant…

This twist on a French clafoutis incorporates whipped egg whites for a cakelike breakfast or dessert that is a cross between bread pudding and creamy custard. Apples are cooked with cinnamon and seasoned with rosemary for a fresh, comforting fall flavor. This can be served warm or cold, and it’s best baked in a round or oval dish so each serving contains the densely baked outer edge with the smooth custard center. SERVINGS: 6 servings INGREDIENTS • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter• 2 tablespoons brown sugar• 2 apples, cored and diced• ¼ teaspoon minced fresh rosemary• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon• ½ teaspoon salt• 2 cups milk• 4 whole large eggs• ¾ cup flour• ½ cup sugar• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract• powdered sugar for dusting PREPARATION Melt the butter in a small…

Minorca chickens are known as wonderful layers of large, chalky-white eggs. Once known as the Red-faced Black Spanish, the Minorca breed was officially imported from Spain to England by Sir Thomas Acland in 1834. However, the breed was found in Devon and Cornwall, England, before that, possibly as early as 1780. J.J. Fultz of Mount Vernon, Ohio, brought the Minorca to America in 1884. The American Poultry Association admitted the Single Comb Black and the Single Comb White to the Standard of Perfection in 1888. The Rose Comb Black Minorca followed in 1904, with the Single Comb Buff Minorca following nearly a decade later in 1913. The Rose Comb White debuted the next year, in 1914. Bantam varieties are accepted, as well. Although slender and racy like typical Mediterranean chicken…

Having a plethora of eggs is one of the benefits of keeping chickens, but egg laying isn’t always consistent. Many things can get in the way of steady egg production. If you’re looking to maintain or increase egg production in your flock, read on for some eggcellent info and tips! DIET & SUPPLEMENTS For a good nutritional foundation, keep chickens of laying age on a quality layer feed. Layer feeds have the proper levels of nutrients to meet the needs of laying hens. Store feed in a cool, dry place protected from direct sunlight, excess heat and moisture, and pests. Charlie Harrold, owner of Charley’s Chicks in Jacksonville, Florida shares some insights on feeding chickens well. “Your birds need at least 16% protein in their feed, along with calcium-rich supplements…

A good chicken fence is the best defense when it comes to protecting chickens or protecting something from chickens. What kind of chicken fence you need will depend on how you have arranged your birds’ housing and what kind of coop you use, as well as other factors, such as geographical location and what type of predators lurk in your neck of the woods. Let’s look at fencing from both sides of the fence; pardon the pun. KEEPING OUT PREDATORS If you’re purchasing chicken fence with the intention of keeping out predators, it doesn’t have to be beautiful. But it does have to be made of solid material and securely installed, which usually means you’ll have to spend a little money and either do a little work or hire someone…

Springtime is typically when people start going gaga over baby chicks, but it isn’t the only season for starting a new flock. Fall is also a great time to invite chickens to your backyard or to add new members to an existing flock and with some exciting benefits. 1. EARLY EGGS Getting a jump on next year’s flock this fall means chickens will start producing eggs when everyone else is just getting their chicks. Female chicks reach point-of-lay around 20 weeks of age, on average, depending on the breed. Chicks hatched in October should begin to lay eggs very early in spring, ensuring that you and your family have fresh eggs all summer long. 2. MOLTING IS DELAYED Chickens molt annually, shedding their old feathers for a fresh set before…

What chickens lay white eggs for your backyard flock? When many chicken-keepers think of white layers, the Leghorn comes to mind, but the Leghorn isn’t the only white egg-producing breed discussed today. So, if you are wondering what chickens lay white eggs, here are eight popular breeds to pique your interest. LEGHORN With their excellent feed-to-egg ratio, Leghorns are the most popular egg-laying breed in the United States. The White Leghorn is the primary white egg-producing breed used in commercial egg farms and a popular breed found in many backyard flocks. Leghorn hens produce five to six large white eggs weekly (280 to 300 eggs annually). Leghorns are flighty, excellent foragers and active birds who, if given the opportunity, will sleep in the trees rather than the coop. However, this…

As a chicken farmer, I belong to — and moderate — quite a few online poultry groups. My responsibilities are typically limited to approving new members and posts, deleting inappropriate comments and shutting down heated debates. I participate in discussions as much as time allows, which I readily admit isn’t too often these days. One recurring theme that keeps popping up since this spring, however, intrigued me: offering chickens wet food. In all my years of raising poultry, I had never heard of this practice. One poster commented that her veterinarian told her that offering chickens wet food is like offering cats and dogs wet food. It’s just as nutritious and more enjoyable than dry pellets and crumbles. I disregarded this post, thinking it was a fluke. But the theme…

Chickens may not seem very intelligent, as they peck around your backyard, but these birds are smarter than you might think and surprisingly trainable. With the right motivation and a little patience, you can teach your flock to follow commands and master simple tricks. Some of the smarter ones can even learn to run agility courses. Whether you’re trying to simplify flock management or just show off to your friends, training your chickens can be practical and wildly entertaining. BASICS Before we dive into specific tricks, let’s talk about some fundamentals for successful chicken training. Like most trainable animals, chickens learn best with: POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT: Chickens are very food-motivated, so treats work wonders. Favorite treats to inspire tricks may include dried mealworms, berries, cracked corn or sunflower seeds. CONSISTENCY: Chickens…

My name is Pepper. I am a 4-year-old black Silkie. When I was a young chick and didn’t know any better, I decided to take in the stray human who was always hanging around my yard. No one warned me of the responsibility that owning a human takes. They may be cute, but they’re a ton of work. NEVER-ENDING CHORE LIST Here are just some of the things I have to do in my day just to keep my human alive. I get up at the crack of dawn and must sing my egg song long and loud. This is the only way to make sure she will find her way back to my yard. Once I know she is coming, I must hurry and kick as much of my…

Chickens are messy creatures. Their normal scratching and dusting behaviors kick up debris, stir their own manure, and foul water and food supplies. A healthy flock requires regular attention to the cleanliness of their living quarters. Cleaning chores include those that need to be done daily, weekly and once or twice a year. FRESH WATER, CLEAN FOOD Water and food are essentials for all life. Each day, flock owners can clean out and offer fresh food and water to their hens. Waterers often develop a greenish scrum on the insides and bottoms. Especially in warmer weather, this slime turns quickly from green to black. A scrubby sponge near the water spigot can help you stay ahead of green slime while easily scrubbing out the insides and blackish edges each time…