Category: Managing the Flock

Fun Facts About Chickens

Did You Know?

Chickens are one of the oldest domesticated animals, with evidence of their domestication dating back to ancient Egypt over 4000 years ago.
Chickens are intelligent birds and can remember and recognize up to 100 other chickens.
Chickens have a complex social hierarchy and communicate with each other using over 30 different vocalizations.
Chickens can dream and have a sleep-wake cycle similar to humans.
Chickens have a good sense of direction and can find their way home over long distances.
Chickens have a pecking order and establish a social hierarchy through pecking and other forms of behavior.
Chickens can exhibit personality traits such as shyness or aggression, and some breeds are known to be more docile or energetic than others.
Chickens are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods, including seeds, insects, and even small reptiles.
Chickens have a highly developed sense of taste and are able to distinguish between different flavors.
Chickens are known for their ability to produce eggs, but they can also be raised for their meat.
More Interesting Facts…
Chickens, like all animals, have certain vital signs that are important indicators of their health and well-being. Some of the vital signs of chickens include:
Heart rate: A chicken’s normal heart rate is between 250 and 300 beats per minute.|
Respiratory rate: A chicken’s normal respiratory rate is between 15 and 25 breaths per minute.
Body temperature: A chicken’s normal body temperature is between 105-106.7 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 and 41.5 degrees Celsius).
Capillary refill time: This is the time it takes for the blood to return to a chicken’s comb (the fleshy protuberance on top of its head) after being pressed. A normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds.
Hydration: Chickens should have moist, elastic comb and wattles (the fleshy protuberances on either side of the head). Dry comb and wattles can be a sign of dehydration.
Behavior: Chickens should be active and alert, with a normal appetite and thirst.
Monitoring these vital signs can help you identify any health issues that your chickens may be experiencing, and allow you to take appropriate action to address them.

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Chicken Keeping in Winter

Raising chickens in the winter can be a bit more challenging than in the warmer months, but it is doable with the right preparation and care.
First and foremost, it is important to make sure that your chicken coop is properly insulated and draft-free. Chickens are prone to frostbite on their combs and wattles (the fleshy protuberances on their heads and necks), so it is important to keep the coop warm enough to prevent this from occurring. One way to do this is by adding extra insulation to the coop, such as by attaching blankets or foam boards to the walls.
Chickens tend to eat more in the winter to keep their bodies warm, so it is important to make sure that they have plenty of food available. It is also a good idea to provide them with high-energy treats, such as scratch grains and suet, to help them stay warm. Water is just as important, as chickens need to stay hydrated to stay healthy. However, water can freeze in the winter, so make sure you keep an eye on their water source.
Finally, it is important to keep an eye on the chickens for any signs of illness or distress. Chickens are prone to several winter-related health issues, such as frostbite, respiratory infections, and parasites. To prevent these issues, make sure to keep the coop clean and dry, and be on the lookout for any signs of illness.
Raising chickens in the winter can be a bit of a challenge, but it is doable with the right preparation and care. By making sure that the coop is properly insulated, the chickens have access to food and water, and they have plenty of space to move around, you can help ensure that your chickens stay healthy and happy all winter long.

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Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Backyard Poultry

  • What you Need to Know if you’re Consuming Fresh Farm Eggs.
  • What You Need to Know as a Backyard Chicken Keeper

Whether you are raising backyard chickens or consuming fresh eggs from a local chicken keeper, there are a few precautions to be aware of. Salmonella is real, and a serious health threat that exists everywhere… even from local backyard chicken keepers.
What You Need to Know as a Consumer of Backyard Farm Fresh Eggs
Backyard poultry, such as chickens and ducks, can carry Salmonella germs even if they look healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread to anything in the areas where the poultry live and roam.
You can get sick from touching backyard poultry or anything in their environment, including eggs.
Your eggs should never be in a used egg carton. If you’re unsure if your supplier uses new cartons, transfer the eggs into a clean wire basket. It’s a good practice to transfer eggs to your own basket before they reach your kitchen.
Discard dirty or irregular eggs. Dirty eggs mean the nest box is dirty, and the eggs may have been exposed to bacteria.
Don’t wash eggs; eggs have what is called the *bloom that protects the egg from bacteria. Washing removes the bloom, allowing bacteria to easily enter the egg.
Ask to see the area where the hens that supply your eggs are kept. It should be dry and not foul-smelling. The hens should look happy and healthy.
Never crack open the egg on the same pan you’re cooking in.
Wash your hands anytime you handle eggs, especially when cooking.
Those at Highest Risk of Severe Illness from Salmonella
Young children, especially under 5 years old.
Adults 65 and over, or someone with a compromised or weakened immune system.
What You Need to Know as a Backyard Chicken Keeper
Eggs from a backyard chicken keeper should be collected daily. Cracked, dirty, or eggs that aren’t in the nest box should be discarded. Fresh eggs are better left unwashed as not to disturb the bloom, which protects the eggs from bacteria.
It is good practice to clean nest boxes weekly and have at least one nest box for every three hens.
Don’t re-use egg cartons; or sell eggs in used cartons. Use a wire basket when collecting eggs. Ask your customers to bring their own basket or container.
Transfer eggs to a clean wire basket or new carton before storing them in your refrigerator.
Wash hands immediately after handling eggs.
There should be a clean space between your living quarters and the coop. Shoes, gloves, or anything you wear to work in the coop should be left in a designated area away from your living quarters. Rakes, shovels, and all cleaning supplies that are used in the coop should STAY IN THE COOP or a designated area nearby.
If your birds are free-roaming, they should have an area completely separate from the family home. This includes a no chicken zone where children or pets are likely to play.
Don’t let children younger than 5 years touch chicks, or other backyard poultry. Young children are more likely to get sick from Salmonella.
Note: What is the Bloom? The “bloom” of an egg in an invisible coating that the hen’s body will “lay” on top of the shell of the egg. The bloom is also known as the cuticle of the eggs. It protects the egg from bacteria entering the egg.

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