About the Author

Tamsin Cooper

Tamsin Cooper keeps goats and chickens on her smallholding in France, where she aspires to live as sustainably as possible. She follows the latest research on farm animal behavior and has mentored on animal welfare courses.
Read More

Articles by Tamsin Cooper

Breed Profile: Silver Appleyard Duck
April 27, 2022 · · Poultry 101

Silver Appleyard ducks are a great all-round heavy breed: friendly, great foragers, growing quickly to produce delicious, lean meat and plentiful eggs.

Read More
Breed Profile: Dominique Chicken
April 5, 2022 · · Chickens 101

The Dominique chicken is the oldest American breed and an icon of rural self-sufficiency, being very hardy and an excellent forager and mother. Her calm and friendly nature makes her an excellent choice for the homestead.

Read More
7 Chicken Coop Basics That Your Chickens Need
March 11, 2022 · · Coops

Chicken coop basics aim to cater for all chickens’ needs within the coop interior and run. Thoughtful design can create a layout that fulfills chicken welfare needs.

Read More
Chicken Society—Are Chickens Social Animals?
January 25, 2022 · · Chickens 101, Members Only

Are chickens social animals? How do they integrate into the chicken community? Learn about the rules, tricks, and sophistication of chicken society.

Read More
Breed Profile: Egyptian Fayoumi Chicken
January 4, 2022 · · Chickens 101

Egyptian Fayoumi chickens are tough and thrifty birds with remarkable disease resistance and heat tolerance. They are highly fertile and good layers.

Read More
Breed Profile: Golden Comet Chickens
November 26, 2021 · · Chickens 101

Golden Comet chickens are friendly, calm, and prolific layers, making excellent backyard birds, but life is often shortened by reproductive tract issues.

Read More
Breed Profile: Narragansett Turkey
November 18, 2021 · · Poultry 101

The Narragansett turkey is a heritage variety of American origin, valued for its hardiness, self-sufficiency, excellent mothering skills, and superior flavor.

Read More
Breed Profile: Ameraucana Chicken
November 17, 2021 · · Chickens 101

Amercaucana chickens have tails and muffs, with eight varieties recognized in both Bantam and large fowl. Lavender Ameraucanas are a very popular newer variety that is not yet recognized by the APA or ABA.

Read More
Guinea–Chicken Hybrid: Can Chickens and Guineas Breed?
November 9, 2021 · · Poultry 101

Guinea–chicken hybrids are an unusual phenomenon, as nature does not favor the cross, leading to health issues and early death.

Read More
Breed Profile: Barnevelder Chicken
October 20, 2021 · · Chickens 101

Barnevelder chickens were developed from Dutch landrace and Asiatic chickens for their large brown eggs. Later they were standardized to double-laced plumage. They make charming backyard foragers.

Read More
[class^="wpforms-"]
[class^="wpforms-"]
[class^="wpforms-"]
[class^="wpforms-"]
[class^="wpforms-"]
[class^="wpforms-"]
[class^="wpforms-"]
[class^="wpforms-"]
[class^="wpforms-"]
[class^="wpforms-"]