Raising your own flock of chickens can be a fun and rewarding experience. Having a clean coop that is free from flies helps the overall health of your backyard chicken experience.  Here are five ways to keep your chicken coop free from flies.

Install Fans
Air movement will help chickens stay cool in the summer and help to help keep the flies away. Having a dry coop also helps because flies are drawn to moist, wet areas caused by water or chicken droppings. Flies and other insects will have a more difficult time navigating through the breeze, therefore reducing the level of pests in the coop.

Plants and Herbs
Many different plants and herbs are naturally good at keeping pests away. By planting them in or around the coop, you not only help to get rid of pests but also beautify the area. Some great options for planting are below.

• Basil
• Tansy
• Mint
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Citronella
• Carnivorous plants

Insect Warfare
This may sound strange, but some bugs are worth having around if they do a good job keeping nuisances away. Black soldier flies are a non-invasive species that can be purchased online (check out our product line of PopWorms! LIVE  here!) or sometimes at your local feed store. They will deter the pest flies without causing any harm to you or your chickens. 

Fly Traps
Flypaper and fly bags are other methods to help reduce the number of flies. With flypaper, you simply hang the sticky paper up in and around the coop. Flies will be attracted to it and become stuck there. Fly bags come with a powder that you mix with water. The contents have a strong odor of decay that flies can't resist. Once they enter the bag, that's the end for them. 

Natural Sprays
Because chickens are sensitive animals, you don't want to use just anything around them. Using a homemade fly solution is a great way to make certain your pets are safe from harsh chemicals. To keep the flies away naturally, try mixing two cups of vinegar, two cups of water, and at least 20 drops of essential oil like basil, peppermint, or thyme.  Spray liberally around the coop to deter flies.

Use these tips to help keep your chickens healthy, happy, and pest free is a priority! And-don't forget to treat your backyard babies with PopWorms!

Welcome to the wonderful world of backyard chickens! Having a reliable source of eggs and becoming more independent is now within your reach, plus you get the added bonus of watching your new chickens develop their personalities. Now that you have your chickens you'll want to keep them clean and happy.  So here's the skinny on the exact reasons why and how to wash a chicken properly. 

How chickens normally keep clean and when to intervene

Chickens are very independent, just like you're aiming to be. For the most part, they keep themselves clean with regular dust bathing. So when do you need to intervene in their normal routine and give them a good old fashion rinse off? They won't be able to remove caked-on feces themselves, so giving them a hand is the best way to keep them spick and span. You may also come across some less common problems such as: treating pests, cleaning to assess injuries, or the dreaded skunk spray.

The steps to get a clean chicken

Bathing a chicken is much like bathing any other animal, the supplies and process are very similar. Whether you are bathing them in a bathtub, sink, or a bucket, you are going to need to keep yourself safe. Make sure to hold your bird very securely with one hand on their wings at all times. Lower them in gently, this is a new experience for them after all. Begin using lukewarm water and soak your chicken's problem areas applying a small amount of shampoo, lather up, and watch the suds work their magic!

If your chicken has a foot infection or caked-on debris a nail brush will be super helpful to have on hand. After you remove any dirt or feces be sure to rinse well and gently squeeze any excess water from their feathers. On hotter days you can now release your bird to air dry, you don't want a wet chicken so if it is a little chillier wrap them in a towel and use a hairdryer on the low heat setting. Even better if it has a cool setting. Lastly, make sure to never leave your little chicken unattended in water, chickens can drown very easily. 
 
Q&A
At what age should I bathe my chickens?
When they are younger than 6 months a full bath is not necessary and if they have any caked-on feces or dirt, wiping them down with a wet towel will do the trick.

What type of shampoo should I use?
Baby shampoos or any other gentle use shampoo with no irritants, such as Johnsons baby shampoo, or dawn dish soap.

And when your chicken is all clean, remember to treat them with PopWorms!

The Leghorn chicken may be one of America's most popular breeds, but this hardworking chicken has its roots deep in the Mediterranean near the Italian port city of Livorno. Leghorns arrived in America in 1870. You may recognize them from the Warner Bros. classic, Looney Toons, where the loudmouthed Foghorn Leghorn is often up to no good. Learn what makes this bird special and if a Leghorn is the backyard companion for you. 

Appearance and TemperamentThe Leghorn comes in over 16 color varieties with white being the most common. Other common colorings include combinations of black, brown, white, silver, and rose combs. They are an active and resourceful bird that often finds food independently by foraging. They have a nervous nature and like room to roam and enjoy flying high. Because of their active, noisy nature, Leghorns may not do as well confined in small, urban spaces with nearby neighbors. 

Overall Health and Care Overall, Leghorns are a healthy breed with very few health issues. To maintain your Leghorn's robust combs, you may need to apply Vaseline on their combs to prevent frostbite and wattles. Always provide food and water for your Leghorn (you may need to keep a heater near their water during the winter months to prevent freezing). Provide your Leghorn a coop with at least 3 square feet per chicken and a soft bedding of cedar shavings, hay, or shredded newspaper. 

Egg ProductionLeghorns produce, on average, 200 to 300 eggs per year! This makes the Leghorn an exceptional breed if you are looking to sell your eggs. As a side note, these chickens produce white eggs as opposed to brown eggs. Because of the Leghorn's productivity, their lifespan is shorter than many other birds. The average lifespan of this breed is, on average, 4-6 years.

If you have plenty of space and want a breed that can produce large amounts of eggs, the Leghorn may be for you. While they may not be as cuddly and friendly as other breeds, they work hard with little maintenance. Popworms! has everything you need to raise healthy, happy chickens. Check us out today and see all we have to offer! 
 

​The winter season can be a very difficult season for chicken owners. You may be asking yourself whether your precious chicken will survive the winter cold. Don't worry any longer; the following tips are helpful for you and your chickens' survival.
 
1. To Warm Your Chicken, Use the Deep Litter Method.The deep litter technique allows the chickens' bedding material and poop to accumulate in the coop over other hot seasons. This method ensures that you have a foot of composting manure on the surface of the chicken coop, giving off heat and warming the coop naturally.
 
2. Feed Your Chicken With Corn and Fresh Water Every Evening To Keep Them Warm at NightCorn is chicken's favorite meal. Keep the bellies of your chicken with bowls of cracked corn every evening. By doing so, you keep them busy overnight with something to digest, keeping them warmer.
 
3. Roosts Are Essential In The Winter Season.Roosts allow your chickens to fluff themselves; it keeps them warm. Make sure that you raise the roosts at least 2 to 3 feet above the earth's surface to keep your chicken off the icy and cold ground.
 
4. Select The Right Breeds For WinterThe most favorable decision you can take to ensure your chickens are safe through the winter is to get the right cold hardy chicken breeds. Such breeds are adapted to cold seasons; they have very reduced wattles and combs, making them non-susceptible to frostbite. Some of these breeds include:
 

• Australorp
• Buff Orpington
• Delaware
• Dominique
• Plymouth Rock
• Speckled Sussex
• Brahma
• Ameraucana
• Cochin
• Rhode Island Red
• New Hampshire

5. Insulate The CoopAnother great way to protect your chicken from winter is by winterizing the coop. This is easily done by insulating the coop. If it's possible, you can use fiberglass insulation around the walls of the chicken coop, then cover them up with plywood.
 
I hope that the above tips have cleared your worries and answered your troubling questions on how to keep your chickens warm during the winter.
 
 
 

No matter how much a backyard chicken enthusiast loves chickens, the most common reason to have a flock is for the fresh eggs. That being said, many egg layers slow down (or completely stop laying) during the winter cold months.

However, it doesn't have to be that way. Here are some tips to get eggs year-round from your chickens. 

Get the right type of chicken. 
There are many breeds of chickens and some lay better than others. Traditionally, there are meat birds, laying birds, and those who are dual-purpose (they are good egg layers and can be used for meat). The egg layers have been bred to lay eggs throughout the winter, more than meat and dual-purpose birds do. There are also breeds, such as Leghorns and Sex Links, which are bred to maximize egg production, even in the winter.

Use artificial light. 
Most chickens require fourteen hours of daylight in order to lay eggs. Unfortunately, for most of the United States, we are looking at only nine or ten hours of daylight during the winter months. For that reason, many chicken farms add artificial light to make sure that their chickens have the required amount of daylight to continue to produce eggs during the winter. 

That being said, chickens need six to eight hours a night to rest and stay healthy so you can't just leave the light on all day and night long. Your best bet would be to get a timer to make sure that your chickens get enough light to keep laying, while still being able to get enough sleep at night. 

Maintain a healthy diet. 
It is important that you feed your laying hens properly to ensure good egg production. This is even more important in the winter when they can't forage for bugs and other things in their yard. 

Overall.
The best way to keep your chickens laying in the winter is to buy chickens that are bred to be good egg-layers. These are more likely to keep laying, even as the weather gets colder. You also need to think about using artificial light. Hens need fourteen hours of light in order to lay eggs. However, you can overdo this because they also need a good night's sleep to stay healthy and productive! 

And as always, treat your egg layers with PopWorms! to help keep them healthy and happy!

Chicken eggs can sometimes seem like an enigma, but chickens go through a regular cycle and different diets and habitats can contribute to a healthier hen and eggs. Typically, we are exposed to  eggs when they are broken for breakfast. Let's examine the parts of an egg and gain insight into the egg-laying process!

1. What is Egg Yolk?

A hen's reproductive system is centric in the ovaries. Hens are born with two ovaries, but typically only one will remain able to produce eggs on  regular basis. That egg yolk that you see in your typical egg is what is released internally from the hen's ovary  and travels out of the ovary into what is called the "Oviduct". The oviduct is essentially a canal and if you have a rooster, your egg can  be fertilized in this stage. 

2. The White Spot on an Egg Yolk

The viscous white spot on an egg yolk is actually what initiates the cells to multiply and create an embryo if your egg is fertilized. 

3. Is a Rooster Necessary?

No, a rooster is not necessary for a hen to produce eggs. The rooster merely aids with the fertilization of the eggs, to start the next generation of chicks!

4. What happens when the egg travels through the Oviduct?

The yolk will travel through sections of the oviduct called magnum and isthmus. The magnum section is the longest section of the oviduct and is responsible for creating the clear egg white surrounding the yolk. It acts as a membrane to protect the yolk and provide an enclosed sac, to provide nutrition to a potential chick in formation.

5. How the Eggshell is formed 

The egg shell is produced in the uterus of a hen via a gland  called the "Shell Gland" where the egg takes up salts and fluid into the protein "egg white" section of the egg called "Albumin". The ovum, or egg, stays in the shell gland from 18-26 hours depending on the hen's cycle. 

6. The Vent

The vent refers to the "cloaca", which is an opening present in avian species. The cloaca is where the egg is released into a nest box. After about 30 minutes, this process will repeat. 
Healthy Hen, Healthy Eggs!

Keeping your hens healthy helps produce high-quality eggs. Here are some signs to look for when determining and enhancing the health of your hens: 

• Chickens are social animals, especially hens. It is important that they have plenty of room to get around. A healthy dose of regular interaction with your hens is crucial to keep them feeling cared for and engaged in life. 
• Bright, shiny feathers are a good sign of a balanced protein intake, and should look this way when your hen is not molting. 
• Mind the color of their comb - When hens are laying eggs, you'll find their comb becomes more infused with blood and will be darker in color. If this isn't the case when they are laying, it is good to adjust their diet and exercise to make sure they are receiving proper nutrients. 
• Regular Egg Release - A typical cycle for hens is to lay about 5-6 eggs per week when in their prime. 

 
And as always, remember to treat your chickens with PopWorms! to keep them healthy and happy!

Whether you've had chickens for years, are an experienced at-home egg seller, or are new to the egg selling game, the following tips are an EGGcellent way to put your business at the top.  

1. Colors
Mix things up by getting chickens that lay different colored eggs. Then, you can mix and match your cartons by filling them with a beautiful variety of brown, tan, blue, green, etc.

2. Advertising
When it comes to advertising, you can't go wrong setting up a couple of social media accounts to keep your customers up-to-date on deals, special discounts, and more. These are some of the more common media platforms and the different audiences you are likely to reach.

• Facebook
  Still one of the biggest platforms, Facebook allows you to create your business page and join other groups that will be interested in your products. You can also sell through the Facebook marketplace and local yard sale groups. In addition, Facebook will reach those generations classified as Boomers, Gen X, and elder millennials.
• Instagram
  Instagram is a great place to highlight the visuals of your products and where the chickens live, and what they eat. So take lots of pictures and upload them regularly to reach millennials and gen z.
• TikTok 
  Do you want to reach the youngest people with money in your neighborhood? Then, Tik Tok is the place for that if you are ready to take videos and edit them regularly.
• Old-School
  You can't go wrong with some old-school marketing - place ads in the local paper, hang flyers, make posters and signs. Make a stand for the kids and sell at your street corner or at the local Farmers market.

3. Designing Marketing Materials
Don't take some sharpie marker to the side of a cardboard box. Instead, update your design game by using the free app Canva.com. It is easy to use and allows you to create posters, flyers, business cards, and so much more. Start with the free templates, let your creative side take over, and make your marketing materials shine.

4. Storage
Ensure you aren't giving your customers rotten eggs by being mindful of your egg storage. For example, if your eggs are sitting on the counter or at room temperature, they should not be washed to avoid removing the bloom. However, if they are going to be stored in the fridge, they can be washed.

5. Delivery
Now it's time for delivery!

6. Shelf Life
Here is how long your eggs will last so you know when it is time to junk or deliver.

• Don't wash the bloom off, and freshly laid eggs can be left out at room temperature for at least a month.
• If they are washed, they need to be refrigerated and can last in a sealed container for up to six months.

7. Types of Trays
You can ask your customers to save egg cartons and set up regular drop-off and pick-up times so that everyone is reducing waste. You could also special order clear or colored cartons for special occasions like Easter or the local Farmers' Market.

8. Customer Preferences
Keep customer preferences in mind for better customer service. You can send questionnaires or customer satisfaction surveys with each batch of eggs to be collected at your next delivery. Take note of what they like and don't like, and make adjustments as you go forward.

Follow these tips, and the neighborhood will be clucking about your egg business!  And don't forget to feed your chickens PopWorms! to keep them Eggcellent shape!

What does it take to raise chickens? Broiler chickens, to be exact. They can make good pets and require little in terms of maintenance. Simply put, all you need is adequate housing, food, and water to raise broiler chickens successfully.
 
Why Raise Broiler Chickens?

Raising broiler chickens is manageable. You'll enjoy the experience of watching them grow. They are easy to feed and don't need any specialized equipment for this purpose.
 
Also, a large labor force isn't required to help raise the chickens on your farm. More so, you can vaccinate them to keep disease at bay.
 
What Should You Feed Broiler Chickens?

It would be best to feed your broiler chickens a high protein diet to support their rapid growth. In their first 4 weeks, ensure you feed chicks a starter feed with 23% protein, and at 4 weeks and older, provide them with grower feed with 19% protein.
 
Tips For Feeding Broiler Chickens

To ensure healthy broiler chickens, here are some tips for feeding:

• Provide an adequate supply of clean water throughout the day.
• You can use a nipple system or nipple bucket for water. This system helps keep the water fresh.
• In the initial first days, they use a shallow pan to feed the chicks and once they grow older, use a larger feeder to accommodate their growth.
• Feed your chicks, the starter feeds for 10 days and the grower feeds for 14 days.
• Keep the feeders full at all times until the chicks learn how to eat and, once they do, reduce the amount of food to avoid wastage.

​Store-Bought Vs. Home-Grown Broiler Chickens

Did you know that store-bought broilers grow faster than home-grown broilers? They take approximately half the time to develop. Store-bought chicken requires less resources to maintain, unlike their home-grown counterparts.
 
Home-grown broilers are more expensive to maintain as you need land and water to grow their feed—for example, corn and soybeans.
 
Store-bought broilers don't contract disease easily. However, home-grown broilers are more susceptible to disease.
 
Store-bought chickens are not as active as their home-grown counterparts. They spend a majority of their time – 76%-sitting. Also, store-bought chickens have larger appetites compared to home-grown chickens as they feed over 50 times in only 24 hrs.                       
 
What Are Some Home-Grown Breeds Of Broilers?

It's vital to consider the type of breed you'll raise as a backyard chicken farmer. These breeds include kosher king broilers, turken broilers, big red broilers, and ginger broilers.
 
How To House Your Broiler Chicken

In the first few weeks, it's vital to maintain a 90-95 degrees F temperature, which you place at one end of the coop (cage). Baby chicks are incapable of regulating their body temperature. However, once they are over 4 weeks old, they maintain a 60-75 degrees F temperature.
 
You can use a 9-watt compact fluorescent bulb.
 
What about their bedding? Examples of non-slippery bedding to use for your pet broilers include wood shavings, rice hulls, and ground-up corncobs. Slippery materials like cardboard and plastic can cause leg deformities in your chicken.
 
Non-slippery material can absorb moisture but ensure you change it when wet to prevent diseases like internal parasites. Bedding also helps keep the chicks warm and can be 3 to 4 inches deep.
 
Lastly, always ensure the coop is clean – you can take it a step further by using a disinfectant.
 
Broiler Chicken Farming At Its Best

Raising your broiler chickens doesn't have to be a complicated affair. Give them enough food, water and always keep their housing area clean for healthy broiler chickens. Also, be sure to treat them with PopWorms! ECO and PopWorms! PRO!