behavior

All About Orpington Chickens
December 20, 2020 · · Chickens 101

1886, Black Orpington, County Kent, England, from a Black Langshan-Black Minorca-Black Plymouth Rock cross.

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Top 10 Questions and Answers About Backyard Chickens

It’s getting easier for people outside the backyard poultry community to understand why so many of us choose to dedicate a portion of our lives to raising and caring for backyard chickens. I don’t get the same reaction I used to from suburbanites when they find out I raise backyard chickens through casual conversation.

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How a Broody Hen Hatches Chicks

Modern breeding has pretty much eliminated broodiness in most large fowl breeds, although there still may be one or two within a flock that have retained those mothering instincts.

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Keep Happy Hens

Keeping your hens happy is easy once you know what motivates their behavior. Nearly all of a chicken’s activities are motivated by three basic needs: to get enough to eat, to avoid being eaten, and to make more chickens.

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Barnevelder Chicken Adventures

Meet the Barnevelder chicken. They are a medium size, dual-purpose chicken breed (providing both eggs and meat) from Barnevelder, Holland.

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Cannibalism And Chickens Pecking Each Other

Add to Favorites By Cynthia Smith – It’s happened to all of us who raise poultry: chickens pecking each other and feather picking. One day you look at the chicks …

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Dealing with Chicken Mortality

I often meet people who want their dog or cat to have a litter so the children can “experience the miracle of life.” I advise them to raise chickens instead so children can experience the miracle of life and the wonder of death.

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The Endocrine System of a Chicken

The chicken endrocrine system is made up of a number of organs and major glands located throughout the bird that produce a special chemical messenger called a hormone.

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The Origins of Chicken Domestication
March 14, 2019 · · Chickens 101

Red jungle fowl and the origins of chicken domestication.

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Can Chickens Make You Sick?

Backyard chicken keeping is at an all-time high. Chickens are really the easiest livestock to add to your homestead – they are the gateway livestock. But should you be worried about chickens getting you sick?

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