Chickens are sensitive to their environment, motivations, and sense of well-being. Happy chickens cope better with changes and challenges, whereas distressed birds may easily go downhill.

Coccidia are single-celled, obligate, spore-forming
parasites that infect a wide variety of animals and are host specific. Nine known species affect chickens and seven affect turkeys, and disease severity depends on strain.

Brown egg laying hens consistently appear on best egg layer lists and can be the backbone of a productive backyard flock, many laying more than 200 eggs per year.