Tamsin Cooper, Author at Backyard Poultry

Breed Profile: Langshan Chicken

September 14, 2021 · Tamsin Cooper · Chickens 101

The Langshan chicken is a hardy, dual-purpose bird from China that lays purple-brown eggs and is well adapted to damp conditions.

How to Stop Chickens From Pecking Each Other, and Other Chicken Behavior Problems

September 7, 2021 · Tamsin Cooper · Chickens 101

Make these changes to address chicken behavior problems, and learn how to stop chickens from pecking each other, eating eggs, and more.

Raising Chicks with Mother Hen

August 18, 2021 · Tamsin Cooper · Chickens 101

Raising chicks with mother hen gives them the best start in life, as they learn life skills for happy, healthy integration within the flock. Researchers have found chicks gain multiple benefits from a broody hen.

Do Chickens Have Feelings, Emotions, and Sentience?

July 23, 2021 · Tamsin Cooper · Chickens 101

Do chickens have feelings and are they sentient? Researchers are investigating their emotions and how they express them. Although more research is required, there is clear evidence of emotions that are important to chickens’ welfare.

What is Coconut Oil Good for in Chicken Husbandry?

July 10, 2021 · 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: Indian Runner Duck

June 14, 2021 · Tamsin Cooper · Poultry 101

The Indian Runner Duck is a good layer and excellent forager, suited to roaming over land in groups. Their many and varied colors have influenced many modern breeds and varieties.

Chicken Nests: How to Get Chickens to Lay Eggs in Nesting Boxes

May 24, 2021 · Tamsin Cooper · Chickens 101, Eggs & Meat

Chicken nests are sometimes found in unexpected places. Why do hens do this? And how to get chickens to lay eggs in nesting boxes?

Breed Profile: Dorking Chicken

April 21, 2021 · Tamsin Cooper · Chickens 101

The Dorking chicken is one of our ultra rare chicken breeds with a long heritage: an excellent mother and forager with an adorable nature. Dorking chicken egg color may be just white, but their plumage comes in various beautiful colors.

Breed Profile: Black Turkey

April 12, 2021 · Tamsin Cooper · Poultry 101

The Black turkey, sometimes called the Black Spanish or Norfolk Black, is a heritage variety of traditional poultry popular before the 1960s. Consumers are rediscovering its hardy attributes and superior flavor.