The United States was officially founded as a nation on July 4, 1776, when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. Although residents of the new country had plenty of chickens, many of the breeds we know today didn’t exist then. So let’s take a look at the chickens that were here at the […]
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Chicken keepers who overlook the importance of the rooster-to-hen ratio may wonder why their flocks experience problems. Too many roosters lead to fighting, stressed and over-mated hens, lower egg production, and poor fertility. Surprisingly, too few roosters create some of the same issues. Let’s look at why getting this balance right matters so much. The […]
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Every year during the third week of May, we get to shine a spotlight on International Heritage Breeds Week. It’s all about raising awareness for those endangered old-school poultry breeds that are hanging on by a thread. Get creative—host a little event in your area, or just share some photos of your flock. The goal? […]
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A chicken’s egg tooth is a tiny horn-like projection at the tip of the upper beak of a newly hatched chick. Its purpose is to help the chick break through the shell at hatching time. Soon after the chick hatches, the egg tooth falls off. Domestic poultry and other birds share this trait in common […]
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An amazing characteristic of Phoenix chickens is their exceptionally long and multiple tail feathers. Even the hens have more tail feathers than most other chickens. The Phoenix was developed from the Onagadori, a breed from Japan that has a non-molting gene. Despite its exceptionally long tail, the Phoenix lacks the non-molting gene and therefore molts […]
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The American Bantam Association (ABA) is an organization of bantam chicken enthusiasts who enjoy breeding and showing bantams, as well as socializing with other people who share their interest. Here’s why you should join the American Bantam Association: ABA History The non-profit American Bantam Association was founded in 1914 to support the poultry fancy, and […]
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Exhibiting poultry can be fun, interesting, and educational. It’s also a great way to meet people of all ages from all walks of life who share a common interest. But it can be stressful, especially for the first time exhibitor. It can also be stressful for the birds. In his book Showing Poultry, veteran poultry […]
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Storey’s Illustrated Guide to Poultry BreedsBy Carol Ekarius Choosing the right poultry breed is one of the most important decisions any chicken keeper can make — and Storey’s Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds is the definitive resource to help you do just that. Written by poultry expert Carol Ekarius, this comprehensive, full-color reference guide profiles […]
Continue ReadingRace Brothers in Carthage has been in business since 1975. We take pride in helping our customers with their needs. Whether it be with their animals, lawns, clothing, or cars. If we don’t have it, do you really need it? In the last few years, backyard poultry has been at the forefront of our expanding […]
Are chickens really birds? Yes, chickens are birds. They share many features in common with other birds, including feathers, wings, and beaks. But in some ways they also differ from most other birds. Here are five features that differentiate chickens from most other bird species. Breeds and Varieties One of the things that make people […]
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