Chicken Basics

Articles about the basics of raising chickens.

Chicken Breeds: Plymouth Rock

by David Nichols • June 26, 2012 • 0 Comments

You may hear the Plymouth Rock Chicken referred to as “Rocks” or “Barred Rocks.” This New England breed was first exhibited in 1869 as a cross between Black Javas, Cochins, Dominiques, Dorkings and Malays. They were promoted as a useful…

by David Nichols • May 30, 2011 • 0 Comments

Rhode Island Reds come from Adamsville, Rhode Island as a result of crossing Red Malay Game, Leghorn and Asiatic stock during the 1840s. Today they are one of the most popular chicken breeds in the US due to their attractive…

by David Nichols • April 20, 2011 • 0 Comments

Spring time is here and you know what that means – fluffy, adorable chicks will soon be on the way! While this is undoubtedly an exciting time, it’s also a lot of work, as baby chicks need to remain indoors…

by David Nichols • March 2, 2011 • 1 Comment

What is so serious about a hen being egg bound? If left entreat the hen can die within 48 hours. Usual symptoms of a hen that is egg bound are:

by David Nichols • February 15, 2011 • 0 Comments

Silkies are the world’s oldest chicken breed, with roots back in 7th Century China where they were used to cure kidney ailments, aging and other ills. “They have hair like a cat, are black, and lay the best of eggs,”…

by David Nichols • February 10, 2011 • 6 Comments

If you’re like me, you constantly battle with your chickens as you try to get them to sleep in the coop. Mine constantly get out of the pen and sleep in the bushes next to the coop. So every night…

by David Nichols • January 25, 2011 • 0 Comments

Organic chickens are not only the “in” thing that fetches a higher price on the market. It’s also a more humane way to raise your chickens and provides a number of benefits to the consumer, including: Organic chicken breasts are…

by David Nichols • December 14, 2010 • 0 Comments

It’s a farmer’s worst nightmare: the hens have stopped laying eggs during the winter months! Your first thoughts may be: Are they sick or dying? Has the cold rendered them infertile? Am I doing something wrong? Most likely, external stressors…

by David Nichols • December 14, 2010 • 3 Comments

Looking outside at those huddled up balls of feathers, it’s hard to imagine your chickens can stay warm in these frigid temperatures. Their beady black eyes are just slits in the face of the freezing gales of wind and they…

by Julie Helms • November 3, 2010 • 2 Comments

Compromise is often a bad thing but in the case of dual-purpose chickens it is a sensible and practical idea for the home flock. There is nothing more satisfying than watching a flock of robust hens roaming about the farm…