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A Backyard Chicken Blog

Common Chicken Health Issues

1/18/2021

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None of us ever want our chickens to turn up sick; but sometimes, there's not a lot we can do to avoid it. Certain diseases of backyard poultry are more common than others.
We've put together a quick guide to recognizing illness, remedying the problem and protecting your flock, and a handful of the most frequently-seen ailments. 

Common Diseases of Backyard Poultry

We find that the majority of backyard poultry seems to fall ill with one of these:
  • Parasites
  • Fowlpox
    • Viral; spread by biting insects and fighting
    • Large caps form around scratch or scrape where virus enters the body
  • Nutritional deficiencies 
    • Often caused by table scrap exclusive diets
    • Calcium and vitamin A are most common
  • Salmonellosis
    • Bacterial; causes septicemia and enteritis in young fowl
    • Contracted orally
    • Spread by rodents
    • Diarrhea, closed eyes, thirst, dejection
  • Newcastle Disease 
    • Acute respiratory disease
    • Rapid-spreading
    • Symptoms may tend towards respiratory, digestive, or nervous
  • Coccidiosis
    • Parasitic; damages a specific region of chickens' guts
    • Loss of appetite, diarrhea, weight loss, ruffled feathers, nutrient deficiencies 

What to Do-- Natural and Medicinal Treatments
​

Obviously, the exact steps you should take to help your chicken (or chickens) depend on what negative symptoms you've observed. Some things to try include:
  • Feed supplements and additives 
    • Look for products that optimize nutrient consumption
  • Vet-approved medicinal treatment
  • More time outside, more time in dry and warm areas, space away from other birds

How to Protect Healthy Chickens

There are a number of things that chicken owners can do to prevent the spread of disease:
  • Quarantine sick birds until symptoms have cleared 
    • Some may need to be quarantined even longer as a precaution
  • Clean and disinfect the coop 
    • This means the coop that the sick chicken was in previously and its quarantine area once it returns to health 
  • Regularly disinfect feeders and waterers
  • Minimize exposure to external sources of contaminants
  • Follow a 30-day quarantine when adding new birds

How to Protect Yourself
  • Always wash your hands with soap and running water after 
    • Collecting eggs
    • Handling birds
    • Handling food and water containers or other bird equipment
    • Being in areas near poultry
  • Don't kiss poultry or let birds sit inside the house
  • Stay outdoors to clean poultry equipment

​Keeping yourself and your birds healthy isn't exactly rocket science, but it does take a little work. The good news is that you'll be rewarded with a happy, thriving flock!
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More Gift Ideas for Chicken Lovers

12/14/2020

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​Now is a perfect time to plan gift-giving for the chicken lover in your life. Here's a guide to get started!

1. Add a personal touch to every egg with this personalized egg stamp. Starting around $30 on Etsy, you choose the design. Made from premium wood and laser-engraved rubber, it's the perfect gift! 

2. Give the gift of knowledge with this fun book that delves into the unique behaviors of chickens. How to Speak Chicken goes beyond the basics and provides a fascinating look into chicken language, habits, and more. They will love this gift, which is just $15 on Chewy.com.  

3. Give the gift of chicken poop! This fun lip balm is not really chicken poop, but they will love the name. Made of all-natural ingredients, this lip moisturizer is a lighthearted gift for less than $3.  
 
4. Make gathering eggs easy and fashionable with this chicken egg apron. You pick the fabric and choose from two options--4 larger pockets or 12 individual pockets. Made from 100% cotton for easy care, this is a perfect gift for around $27 on Etsy.  
 
5. The chicken person in your life will enjoy this puzzle that depicts 49 hens. Choose the difficulty level, from 30 to just over 1000 pieces. Starting at around $20 on Zazzle, this puzzle is sure to please!

6. Every coop needs a peck toy that dispenses a favorite treat, and it's a perfect gift for the chicken person on your list. The Omlet Peck Toy is less than $15 and provides excellent enrichment for the chickens. 

7. A must-have for every chicken devotee is crazy funny chicken leg socks, available on Amazon. For less than $10, these socks will not disappoint!
 
8. Chicken fans will love a chicken mug, and CafePress has a huge selection of mugs for $10 or less. There is a mug for every chicken aficionado. 

Don't forget the flock! Check out our selection of delicious and nutritious treats at Popworms! Happy shopping and Happy Holidays!

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Egg-cellent Gifts For The Chicken Enthusiast!

11/30/2020

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It's that time of the year again! The holidays are here; but what do you get for the one who loves taking care of their chickens? Here is a list of ten great gift ideas for the chicken lover in your life! 

  1. Chicken Apron: A chicken egg-collecting apron is a fun, unique, and helpful gift! Many retailers have different styles, designs, and patterns to choose from. They can be anywhere from $16-$30 in price. You can find several options online at Walmart and Amazon.
  2. Chicken-Themed Coloring Books: These coloring books can be a fun, stress-relieving activity for anyone and are quite more common than you may think! Target, Walmart, Amazon, and even Barnes & Nobles all have a good selection to choose from. Most of these coloring books sell for around $9.99, which makes for both an affordable and great gift option!
  3. Chicken Care Books: Another awesome gift is books about caring for chickens. It's always nice to learn new and extra tips when caring for your chickens. One book that is quite popular is Melissa Caughey's book, How To Speak To Chickens: Why Your Chickens Do What They Do & And Say What They Say. You can find this book on Target.com for $13.69!
  4. Chicken-Themed T-shirts: For a funny and unexpected gift, why not give a chicken-themed shirt! Amazon carries a chicken-themed shirt with the words, "The Chicken Whisperer" for $19.99! PopWorms also has a new designed logo t-shirt for only $23, available in a variety of colors!
  5. Egg Cartons: Egg cartons are a good, practical gift. They are great for gathering and storing fresh eggs. For about $15 on Walmart.com, you can get an assorted color pack of five cartons that are 100% recyclable! 
  6. Chicken-Themed Coffee Mugs: These would make a great gift for a chicken enthusiast who enjoys a cup of coffee or tea in the morning or a cup of hot cocoa at night! Both Amazon and Walmart have many chicken-themed designs and sayings to choose from! The average price is about $17.
  7. Funny Chicken-Related Signs: Funny signs make for a humorous and memorable gift! Both Walmart and Amazon have many sayings and designs to choose from. Prices can be from $4.50-$35.00, which is another great affordable gift option!
  8. Chicken Bumper Stickers And Magnets: Both bumper stickers and magnets are great options when you have a small budget. They can be thoughtful and funny all at the same time. Amazon and Walmart.com again have a great selection to choose from with prices as low as $2.99!
  9. Chicken Board Games: This would be a great gift for the younger chicken lovers in your life. Both Target and Kohl's carry a fun game for ages 3 & up called, Count your Chickens. It is sold for $15.95!
  10. Treats And Toys For Chicken(s): One of the best things you can get for the chicken lover in your life is treats and toys for their chickens! PopWorms' treat ball helps provide hours of fun for both the chicken and owner. The treat ball is on sale now for $17.95! PopWorms also carries Eco-friendly treats to fill these treat balls; and the treats start at $12.95!

These ten awesome and unique gifts ideas would be perfect for the chicken lover in your life! And for the chickens in their life?  PopWorms! ECO and PopWorms! PRO, of course! For these, or for more ideas, check out our PopWorms' Buy Online Section. We hope you have a Merry Christmas this year! Happy Holidays!
 
 
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Caring For A Brooding Hen

10/23/2020

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A hen in your flock is suddenly spending a lot of time in the nesting box and is not welcoming you in her space. Chances are, you have a brooding hen.  If you have a rooster, you can assume that your broody hen is sitting on fertilized eggs.  While it may seem overwhelming at first to ready the coop for new chicks, a brooding hen will do all the hard work.  All you need to do is keep her safe, fed, and happy!  Here are some considerations when caring for her.

What to Expect 

A brooding hen may pick out her chest feathers to expose her skin, helping keep her eggs warm and moist.  She may be rather grumpy about your presence and may very well be outright vicious toward you.  She will leave her nest once a day to eat, drink, and relieve herself.  Her poop will be huge and very smelly, even more than usual! Prepare the area for her safety and comfort, and she'll do the rest.

Maternity Ward

Ideally, having a dedicated space for hens to hatch their chicks is ideal.  Whether you have a dedicated area or not, the space with the nest box needs to be predator-proof, quiet, and dark. Nest boxes should be upscale and have a soft bottom to ensure the eggs are well protected.  You can use straw on top of a good liner so the hen can move it around to suit her needs. Keep the area clean, replacing bedding as often as needed. You could move a brooding hen and her eggs to the maternity ward if she forgot to reserve her space beforehand.  This might be tricky, so it's best to do so at night. 

Food and Water

A brooding hen will eat far less while sitting on eggs, and of course, she will not lay eggs during this time.  Because she doesn't need the layer food, feed her a higher protein mix.  You can feed her starter food like the chicks will eat when they hatch, or some other special diet high in protein.  And, don’t forget to pamper her with PopWorms! ECO or PopWorms! PRO!!  Offer her scratch as well; the carbohydrates will give her an extra boost.  Take extra care in the provision of water; ensure the brooding hen has access to fresh water as it is critical to her good health as she sits on eggs.

​Mom will welcome her chicks around the 21st day; you should hear peeping in the egg around day 19. You have provided her with security, comfort, and sustenance.  The rest is up to her!  And, don’t forget to pamper her with PopWorms! ECO or PopWorms! PRO!!
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How To Protect Your Chickens From Your Domestic Pets

9/21/2020

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While your dog or cat is your best friend, she can be unpredictable at times. It is prevalent for these domestic pets to want to make a delicious meal out of your chicks or even the grownup chickens. Perhaps, cats and dogs have the ancestral predatory instincts that are yet to get eluded from them; hence, they may end up considering your chicks as easy prey.  Taking the necessary steps is, therefore, is vital to realizing benefits from your newly acquired chickens. Here are a few tips that will help you protect your chickens while maintaining that friendly relation you had with your pet before the new visitors arrived at your backyard.

1. Let the pets have the scent
Your pets should experience the chicken's trail first from you before you formulate an official introduction. After handling your chicks, call that dog or cat, offer it nose your hands. This way, she will be friendly to the chicks because it first got the scent from its owner.


2. Pets Learn from what they see
Select the time when your pet is at her finest. This is usually after a meal or playtime. Allow that cat or dog to observe you as you interact with the chicks. It will learn from your friendly handling and recognize that these chickens are also part of the family. Nevertheless, Do not be in a rush to leave your pet unattended with the chicks regardless of the much tolerance she demonstrates.

3. Install Low-voltage Electric Fence
When the chickens are in the open-air, keep a beady eye on your pets as they interact with them. If they prove aggressive or curious around the birds, installing an ultra-low-voltage electric fence around the coop may be a good move. Once bitten, twice shy — your pet will ultimately overlook the enclosure thanks to the occasional light zap on the muzzle.

Still, you may allow the pets to coexist with your chicken if they seem uninterested and lenient. But there is no assurance in the future that they won't act violently towards your birds.

Give your Backyard Flock a Treat
Want to give your feathery friends something they will love and make them healthier? Check our PopWorms! treats that will leave your chickens happier while giving you an excellent return to your chicken investment.
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Stormy Weather May Be on the Way - Prepare Your Chickens and Your Coop

8/31/2020

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Storms can be severe during this time of year; it is essential to prepare your home as well as your chickens for the likelihood that you will be the brunt of foul weather.  Here are some tips to get your flock ready.

Preparation

If you have forewarning of a storm, it's a good idea to unplug anything in your coop.  Lightening may create a power surge that can damage appliances. Ensure your coop is secure; make sure the roof and sides are sturdy and close windows and doors. Remove or tie down loose objects that may become a projectile by storm winds.  If your chickens are free-ranging, gather them up into your chicken yard, so they have an opportunity to seek shelter quickly if they choose.  Chickens do well protecting themselves in a storm, as long as they have the choices for sheltering. You can close them up in the coop if you prefer; make sure they have food and water available.

Bringing Them Inside

Some pending storms are so threatening that you want to bring your chickens inside until it passes.  A hard floor, such as concrete or tile, is best. A garage or laundry room is a perfect location.  Lay down a tarp and place their food and water in the area.  Ensure that the area is secure, with the doors and windows closed; nervous chickens may panic, which will make a flighty flock.  Once settled, leave them alone; they will be fine until it's time to get them back outside.

After the Storm

Once the storm passes, check your coop and the chicken yard.  Also, check that the flock is unharmed.  Chickens are not bothered by the rain, so it's okay if they are wet.  Have supplies on-hand to make any quick repairs, including a hammer, nails, and a tarp.  If there is damage, tidy up and make any immediate repairs.  Return your flock to your coop, if you've relocated them.  Always make sure you have plenty of food on hand; roads may be washed out, making it difficult to get supplies.  If you have puddles, cover them with sand or straw to avoid breeding bacteria.  Keep your coop clean, particularly during periods of wet weather, to prevent an infestation of mites or other insects.

Storms are stressful; with a little preparation and a plan for after the storm, your flock will remain safe and secure.  They depend on you to keep them safe!  And, it is also always a great idea to treat your flock with PopWorms! treats after the storm is over!
 
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Fun Chicken Idioms And Where They Came From

8/3/2020

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We've all heard the phrases, "Don't be such a chicken," or, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg," but have you ever stopped to wonder why?  There are hundreds of references to chickens that people use every day, and some may not even realize it.  
Here's a look at our favorite chicken idioms and where they came from: 

Your handwriting is chicken scratch

People often use this idiom to describe someone's messy or illegible handwriting. This phrase stems from the idea that the handwriting looks like the tracks chickens leave in the dirt. 

Run like a chicken with its head cut off
This phrase is typically used when someone or something is running around hastily. Think about what your mom looks like right before company comes over. This phrase, however, comes with a more morbid meaning. When a chicken's head is cut off, it sends triggers through the chicken's nerve endings, causing it to flap and move around for a few seconds. 

Fox in the henhouse
Used to mimic what a fox looks like when it's prowling for a meal in the chicken coop, this phrase is often used to describe a person with bad intentions or someone who is trying to take advantage of a situation. 

Don't count your chickens before they hatch
This idiom reminds people to not count on plans that may not happen. For example, just because a chicken has six eggs, it doesn't mean all six will hatch and become chicks. 

Hen party
A hen party is often used to describe a bachelorette party, or simply a large group of women. This is because hens are typically separated from roosters to avoid fertilization of eggs. 

You're no spring chicken
This is phrase is often used jokingly to imply that someone is old. Chicks are often hatched in the spring, meaning they are at the youngest point in their lives. 

Don't put all your eggs in one basket
This idiom is warning a person not to risk everything on the hope that one venture will succeed. Although the origin of this particular idiom remains unclear, many think it refers to the trouble that could come if you put a full day's harvest in one basket and then drop it. 

You eat like a bird
You eat like a bird is often said to someone who is eating very little at the dinner table. This is because chickens eat small amounts at one  time. 

Fly the coop
Synonymous with "leave the nest," fly the coop is used to refer to someone who is leaving their home. This term comes from mysterious chickens who try to escape their home on the farm. 

Pecking order
Like with most animals, larger chickens often get the most food at feeding time. This phrase is often used to describe the way people are ranked in relation to each other. 

If those idioms got you thinking about your feathered friends, check out these treats that will make any of them cluck with happiness. 
 

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Hen Or Rooster...How To Tell

7/6/2020

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So you finally got yourself a flock of backyard chickens.  What a great feeling, fresh eggs every day — but wait, will you get fresh eggs?  Are your chicks female?  How can you tell?  Don't worry, it's a question countless backyard chicken newbies have asked before.  Here's the skinny on your new flock's sex.

Common Ways To Sex Chickens

If you're looking for hens to lay eggs than straight run chicks can be tricky.  A straight run chicken means the sex is unknown.  That can be a problem if you don't want to end up with a flock of roosters.  Luckily, there are some tried and true ways to figure out the sex of your chicks.
Venting
Vent sexing is complicated and mostly done by trained professionals in large hatcheries.  It requires looking for the male reproductive organ by expelling feces and examining the inner parts.

Feather Sexing

A much easier way than venting, feather sexing won't work on all breeds.  When chicks are moved to the brooder, a female's wings will be more visible and vary in length.  The male's wings will be around the same size from one feather to the next.
Sex Link Breeding
This technique has been around for years and involves determining the sex based on the down color.  While not applicable to all breeds, and usually only working on first-generation sex links, this method is successful in certain breeds with defining patterns and characteristics.

Behavior

If you can wait for the chicks to grow a bit, you may be able to determine sex by their behavior traits.  Males may act more dominant and ruffle their feathers while standing upright.  Females are more passive and tend to hover in corners when confronted with human interaction.

While some of these methods are more foolproof than others, determining the sex of chicks can be a complicated process.  Sometimes the only way to know for sure is to watch the chick grow.

And no matter male or female-treat your chicks and chickens with our PopWorms! treats! Check out our products ON SALE NOW!
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How To Stop Chicken Bullies

6/9/2020

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Nobody likes a bully-- and your chickens are no exception! "Chicken bullies" can cause some rifts in a flock; but, on the bright side, there are plenty of steps that chicken owners can take to minimize bullying and create a safe environment.

What is Chicken Bullying?

"Chicken bullying" is a pretty broad term. It might be easier to tell you what it's not.

  • Chicken bullying is not just establishing the pecking order

Instead, you should think of chicken bullying as a more targeted (and problematic) behavior. It occurs when members of a flock systematically pick on one or a small group of hens. 

Some chicken bullying is relegated to feather plucking and other similar behaviors. This, obviously, is not ideal-- but it still beats more aggressive bullies. Some instances of chicken bullying escalate into fights that cause severe injuries (or even death).

The Pecking Order

Chicken bullying may seem like it's partly tied to a flock's pecking order.  In reality, this isn't true.
  • Pecking orders are complex relationships within flocks 
    • Age, personality, and other factors influence a bird's position in the pecking order
  • Hens who rise to the top of the pecking order often act assertive
    • This tends to be misinterpreted as bullying
  • Bullying is a sustained behavior
    • It does not serve a purpose within the pecking order; it is only an effort to intimidate and harm​
We hear of chickens bullying for a variety of reasons. Just a handful include:
  • Boredom
  • Sickness
  • Illness
  • Brooding
  • Etc.

How to Stop Bullying
Stopping Hens
If you notice an issue with bullying hens in your flock, there are several steps you can take to try to mitigate the behavior. Try out:
  • Separating the flock 
    • This should be a last resort; sometimes the bullied hens cannot reintegrate well
  • Giving them more activities 
    • Treats
    • Handfuls of scratch
    • Cabbage tetherballs
  • Time outside in a spacious area
​

Stopping Roosters
In rare cases, roosters actually emerge as the bullies of a coop. If you notice your rooster acting a little too aggressive, try:

  • Separating him from hens
  • De-spurring

Stopping chicken bullies in their tracks isn't always difficult, but you might need to get a little creative! There are lots of fun and enriching ways to help your chickens chill out and keep the peace. 
 
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5 Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Chicken Coop

5/1/2020

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​If you own chickens, you probably don't look forward to cleaning your chicken coop. But failing to keep your coop clean and disinfected could lead to a diseased flock and other problems. Here are five basic guidelines on how to clean and disinfect your chicken coop, along with some considerations and warnings.

1. Know What to Clean and How Often

Be sure to clean and disinfect everything in your coop. This includes nesting boxes, the coop ground and walls. As for how often you need to clean and disinfect, a good rule of thumb is about once every one to two weeks or even sooner. Of course, consider that cleaning frequency can depend on need, the size of your coop, weather conditions and other factors.

2. Scrape and Shovel Out Manure and Other Filth

The first step is scraping and shoveling out dried, old chicken manure, cobwebs, shavings, dirt and feathers. For stubborn dried poop, use a square shovel which is exceptionally effective.

3. Hose Down Floors and Walls 

Besides hosing down floors and walls, spray grime and manure off nesting boxes and roosting bars. Do this until all the poop has been loosened and knocked off. For those more stubborn spots on roosting bars,  use a sponge that's been soaked in white vinegar.  Applying a little "elbow grease" also  helps to sanitize as well as deter bugs.

4. Repeat the Process 

As a final step, repeat what you've done. In other words, scrape, shovel and hose down, again, to remove any remaining dirt, softened manure or other debris. After the water has drained, sweep everything out.

5. Add Fresh Bedding

The type of bedding you use is critical for keeping your floor clean, in addition to making it easier to clean away manure. For your bedding, choose dry, absorbent materials. What's more, the right bedding can prevent poop from becoming stuck to the floor as well as control odor. Ideal bedding materials include those, such as chopped straw, wood shavings or untreated wood sawdust.

Other Considerations and Warning 

•    Pick a sunny, warm day to clean so that your coop can dry out quickly, following the cleaning procedure.

•    Before you start the cleaning process, protect yourself by wearing a disposable dust mask.

•    Consider that some chicken diseases are usually detected in manure. Therefore, when removing poop from a litter tray, examine it to see if it appears normal.
​
•    Consider painting the surface of a home built coop. This is even more critical for a plywood coop as mites won't be able to burrow into bare wood.

 Check out our previous blog posts to learn about more ways to keep your flock healthy and happy!  Also, be sure to check out our store wide sale!  It won't last much longer, so make sure you are in on the deals!
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