Tamsin Cooper, Author at Backyard Poultry

Breed Profile: Breda Chicken

May 23, 2020 · Tamsin Cooper · Chickens 101

The Breda chicken is a unique dual-purpose heritage breed from the Netherlands, with striking looks and adorable temperament. Recently, it has become an endangered rare breed.

Breed Profile: Hamburg Chicken

May 22, 2020 · Tamsin Cooper · Chickens 101

The Hamburg chicken is a good layer with an active manner and beautiful feathers. Her origin is somewhat mysterious, having both British and Dutch roots.

Phenomenally Hardy Traits Found in Backyard Chicken Genetics

May 16, 2020 · Tamsin Cooper · Chickens 101

Chicken genetics studies confirm amazing resilience to local diseases in African chickens, providing productive gains to smallholders raising native heritage chicken breeds.

Poultry Cognition—Are Chickens Smart?

May 11, 2020 · Tamsin Cooper · Chickens 101

Are chickens smart? Research reveals that they learn fast, feel emotions, have good memories, and use complex logic and social tactics.

Chick and Duckling Imprinting

March 10, 2020 · Tamsin Cooper · Poultry 101

Chick and duckling imprinting has important psychological effects on the individual bird and the flock, so it is important to get it right from the start.

What is Coconut Oil Good For in Chicken Husbandry?

February 18, 2020 · Tamsin Cooper · Feed & Health

Is coconut oil good for chickens? How can we use it in chicken keeping? Can we feed it to them and does it help fight disease? Here I attempt to sort the facts from the maybes.

Breed Profile: Plymouth Rock Chicken

January 3, 2020 · Tamsin Cooper · Chickens 101

Plymouth Rock chickens are hardy and friendly dual-purpose chickens developed in the United States. Barred Rocks make adorable backyard companions!

Breed Profile: Bresse Chicken

December 24, 2019 · Tamsin Cooper · Chickens 101

Bresse chickens are France’s best tasting meat chickens. Much of their flavor is due to the unique geography they freely range over, as well as traditional feeding and husbandry methods.

Breed Profile: Golden Comet Chickens

November 23, 2019 · Tamsin Cooper · Chickens 101

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