About the Author

Doug Ottinger

Articles by Doug Ottinger

Bantam Silkie Ducks
May 31, 2025 · · Ducks

Introducing some cute little bantam silkie ducks with unusual feathering.

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Gapeworm in Poultry
April 29, 2025 · · Feed & Health

Gapeworms are parasitic nematodes that invade the respiratory tracts of many species of birds, including domestic poultry. Learn about the symptoms of gapeworm in chickens and what you can do to prevent and treat it.

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Poultry Hybrids
April 10, 2025 · · Poultry 101

The parents must be within the same scientific family and usually within the same genus for hybridization. In most cases, artificial insemination was used to make interspecies or intergeneric crosses.

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Breed Profile: Ridley Bronze Turkeys
April 8, 2025 · · Turkeys

Learn about the Ridley Bronze turkey’s ability to mate naturally, their meat-producing capability, incredible hardiness, strong legs and skeletal structure.

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Breed Profile: Pavlovskaya Chicken
March 21, 2025 · · Chickens 101

The Pavlovskaya chicken is a cute, quirky, and personable landrace breed from Volga Uplands of Russia.

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Avian Cholera Waterfowl
March 14, 2025 · · Feed & Health

Avian cholera in waterfowl is an uncommon disease for backyard poultry, but an ounce of prevention can deter an unwanted disease.

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The Best Types of Roosters for Your Flock
September 13, 2023 · · Poultry 101

Whether you have a purebred or mixed flock, choosing the right types of roosters will benefit you flock for years to come.

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Fluke Infestations in Waterfowl
May 27, 2023 · · Feed & Health

Fluke infestations in waterfowl are not common, but watch for a type of parasitic flatworm that belongs to the scientific class Trematoda.

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Landrace Fowl
February 20, 2023 · · Chickens 101

Landrace fowl developed through natural breeding, and they retain traits of broodiness and natural mothering.

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Swedish Hedemora Chickens
February 20, 2023 · · Chickens 101

Hedemora chickens are a little-known, hardy, landrace fowl from Dalarna County, Sweden. Wooly, silky feathers, medium, cream-colored eggs, gentle hens.

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