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Coccidiosis: The Signs, Symptoms and Treatment

Coccidiosis: The Signs, Symptoms and Treatment

Chickens may not get the typical head cold like we do, but they are subject to some illnesses that are really tough on their immune systems and can even lead to death. One such illness, called coccidiosis, is very common among young chickens, but can be treated effectively if caught early.     Coccidiosis is […]

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6 Great Reasons to Raise Guinea Fowl

6 Great Reasons to Raise Guinea Fowl

Are you thinking about raising guinea fowl in your backyard? Here are six reasons why we think guinea fowl would make a great addition to your backyard family. Tick Control Guineas are like miniature tick hunters. They’ll scour your yard for those tiny, disease-carrying ticks and get rid of them before they land on your children […]

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Reading the Color of an Egg Yolk

Reading the Color of an Egg Yolk

Anyone who’s had the pleasure of raising chickens knows there are plenty of reasons to love farm fresh eggs. Their shells are typically thicker and more robust, they can be left unrefrigerated because their protective bloom hasn’t been compromised by industrial cleaning operations and most importantly, they just taste better than grocery store alternatives. Many […]

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Hallmarks of a Happy Henhouse

Hallmarks of a Happy Henhouse

Your coop provides your flock with the safety and security they need to live happy, healthy lives. Without adequate shelter, chickens will be more prone to stress and less likely to produce large clutches of eggs. Likewise, it’s important that chicken owners do whatever they can to provide their flocks with the best living environments […]

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Safely Treating an Egg-Bound Hen

Safely Treating an Egg-Bound Hen

Have you noticed one of your hens waddling like a penguin? Is she going in and out of her nest box without laying? Is she struggling to defecate? Does her abdomen feel hard to the touch? Your hen may be egg-bound. This is a potentially life-threatening condition wherein an egg becomes trapped between the Uterus […]

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To Wash or Not to Wash: The Great Debate

To Wash or Not to Wash: The Great Debate

As more and more have started raising small backyard flocks of fowl, a lively dispute has erupted over the merits of washing eggs. On one side of the isle, we have staunch no-washers who argue that cleaning eggs with water can actually invite harmful bacteria through the shell membrane. On the other side, we have […]

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Studies Demonstrate Nutritional Benefits of Free-Range Eggs

Studies Demonstrate Nutritional Benefits of Free-Range Eggs

Animal rights activists aren’t the only ones concerned about factory farming; now nutritionists are shedding light on the detrimental effects the practice can have on our food as well. Research has shown that the restricted grain diets of factory-raised chickens are making their eggs less nutritious than those of their free-range counterparts. Even the USDA […]

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Promoting Healthy Egg Laying

Promoting Healthy Egg Laying

So your hens have reached six months of age and slowly, but surely, they’ve begun to lay eggs. So far, however, laying has been infrequent and egg shells have been thin and brittle. In order for your chickens to produce strong, healthy clutches on a regular basis, they’ll need the right resources. In this entry, […]

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