In the fall, mature drakes start looking more like hens. Don’t worry — it’s perfectly normal. Like other birds, ducks periodically replace their old worn-out feathers with a new set of plumage in a process called molting. Mature hens renew their feathers after the annual breeding season, too. But mature drakes go through two annual […]
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 […]
Woody breast, also called wooden breast, is a muscle condition in fast-growing Cornish Cross broilers that makes the breast meat tough and fibrous like wood. It’s safe to eat but the meat quality suffers, which can be mitigated by the cooking method. The main cause is rapid growth leading to poor oxygen supply in the […]
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 […]
Race 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 […]
First, let’s dispense with a few myths. Green muscle disease is not a disease. It is a disorder involving muscle degeneration. Second, among chickens it affects only Cornish-cross broilers, but not other types of meat chickens. Third, it is not new, having been identified since 1968. And fourth, green muscle is highly preventable. What is […]