Sex link chickens are the result of a first generation cross between two different chicken breeds. As hybrids they tend to be quite vigorous and hardy. Since they mature to be somewhat heavier than chicken breeds developed solely for their outstanding egg laying abilities, most sex links make decent meat birds as well as good […]
Continue ReadingUnique Egg Dyeing Styles for Easter
Easter is almost upon us, which means it’s time to start the egg dyeing preparations! This Easter season, instead of doing the same old dye styles, check out these six unique styles that we love. Don’t Skip Brown Eggs If you’re plucking eggs from your backyard coop to use for making Easter eggs, you may […]
Continue ReadingWhat’s the Difference between Sex Link and Autosex Chickens?
The terms “sex link” and “autosex” both refer to chicks that may be sorted by gender from the moment they hatch. But the two words are not synonymous. Sex link chickens, or sex links, result from mating a hen and a rooster of two different breeds. Autosex chickens are the offspring of a hen and […]
Continue ReadingBird Watching: A Look at Pheasants and Chukar
Spring is an exciting time at Cackle Hatchery and we’re busy getting ready for the season to arrive. Pheasants and chukar are some of our biggest sellers, with chicks beginning to hatch and prepare for shipping in May. As we get ready for the warmer weather to arrive, let’s look at each species. […]
Continue ReadingEgg Collecting Robot Gathers Eggs from the Chicken Coop Floor
Like the Roomba robot eternally vacuuming a living room floor, the egg collecting Poultrybot searches for and gathers eggs laid by hens on the chicken coop floor. So-called floor eggs are the bane of every chicken keeper. When Europe banned caged layers, egg producers who turned their hens loose in the coop found that some […]
Continue ReadingHow to Get Your Hens to Lay Eggs in a Nest, Not on the Floor
Floor eggs are the eggs your hens lay on the chicken coop floor, rather than in the nice cozy nests you provide. Floor eggs are undesirable because they easily get dirty or cracked, making them unsafe to eat and unsuitable for hatching. A cracked egg is likely to get broken, encouraging hens to sample the […]
Continue Reading2015 Cackle Hatchery Photo Contest Winners and Runner Ups
These are the winners of the 2015 Cackle Hatchery Photo Contest: Runner ups:
Continue ReadingWhere Are All the Turkey Eggs?
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Americans all across the country are gearing up for the biggest, most beloved feast of the year. For many of these folks, Thanksgiving dinner just wouldn’t be the same without a big, juicy turkey planted firmly at the center of the dinner table. Thanksgiving turkey recipes are often closely-guarded […]
Continue ReadingPoach an Egg Like the Pros
The poached egg is an absolute staple of brunch menus that tends to baffle and amaze novice cooks. To the uninitiated, the poached egg seems to occupy a state of matter that is neither liquid nor solid. It’s a delicate balance that takes a steady hand and a cool head to achieve. With a little […]
Continue ReadingScientists Develop Avian Flu Vaccine for Birds and Humans
Two of the latest strains of the avian flu (H5N1 and H7N9) can be contracted by birds and humans, but researchers have recently developed vaccines to protect both from the virus. The Journal of Virology recently described the development of the vaccines, and the scientists behind them are optimistic that they can significantly mitigate the […]
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