Does the art of raising chickens call to you! Is poultry what you are passionate about? Is breeding chickens what brings you joy! The best way to start raising hobby poultry is to start with a single breed and become familiar with that breed. There are certain traits that each …
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There are many different kinds of bedding for the floors of backyard chicken coops, runs, and enclosures. Chickens love to walk around on the earth to scratch around and feel the real ground beneath their feet. River sand offers these luxuries but it also helps deter insects, smells better, and …
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Contaminated egg recalls in Germany, Belgium, and Netherlands have retailers removing contaminated eggs from the shelves. A criminal investigation has been launched. Testing has shown high levels of the unapproved insecticide fipronil. Organic eggs are even at the center of the now scandal. Fipronil, an illegal insecticide, was mixed with treatments …
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The Whiting True Blue chicken is a relatively new blue egg laying breed that has become more readily available through McMurray Hatchery. The ideal would be to have blue chickens that lay blue eggs, but with the genetics of the blue gene in chicken, they will throw 25% black, 50% …
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Tragedy Strikes When an Emu Runs Loose It was a very sad night. Someone came to our house after the sun went down asking if we were missing an animal. After briefly talking we figured out there was an emu loose on our road. I took the flash light …
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Rise of Agriculture in Cities and Towns by Katelyn Huffman There has been a lifestyle change among the “Generation X” and “Millennial” population over the last decade. Many families are moving to suburban areas in hopes that their families will stay and grow in a neighborhood that allows for sustainability …
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Chicken Friends in the Wilhelma Zoo Stuttgart German Mascha, a lemur in the Stuttgart Wilhelma zoo had become lethargic in 2012 after the loss of her partner. The pair did not have any offspring unfortunately. The zoo made an attempt to associate Mascha with monkeys but the attempt failed. She quit …
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Choose the Right Backyard Chickens The city has many challenges for keeping backyard chickens. Noise, space, time, and lifestyles are but a few factors to take into account for keeping backyard chickens. Chickens come in many breeds, some more suited for backyard chickens than others. Chickens come in all kinds …
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Quail Keeping Primer Keeping quail is gaining popularity with the permaculture movement. Keeping food animals was popular during both World Wars as resources were limited. Rabbits, pigeons, and quail were raised to supplement meat and make use of waste. Saving resources was a big issue then, and it should also …
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Green Roof Ideas for Your Coop Previously I’d talked about seeing the double shed roof in areas that get hot, particularly in the American South and Southwest. The purpose of them is to act in a way that draws heat out between the two layers by using rising heat to …
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Hobby Poultry A Chicken in Every Yard