Articles by BYC Project Manager
Perhaps you're wondering when your first egg will appear if you've just started raising chickens. Take your time - don't rush it! You might have to wait a while before you start reaping the rewards of owning chickens if you just brought your flock home, or if you just hatched your own babies...
If you are a homesteader, you probably already have a garden, but have you ever thought about growing a garden just for your chickens?
Why start a chicken garden?
There are many reasons to take the time to create a chicken garden. It is good for you, your family, the planet, and your flock...
Predators are one of the greatest fears a chicken farmer has. They can be cunning, fast, and very sneaky. Your chickens will be drawing in predators from the next county over! Well, maybe not that far, however somewhere back in these predators' ancient memories they have eaten wild chickens at...
Chickens are one of the most common domesticated birds in the world, and they are widely used for their meat, eggs, and feathers. Many people have grown up around chickens, but they might not know much about the anatomy and physiology of these birds. One common question that people have about...
Can chickens eat...
Ever wonder to yourself: "Can chickens eat this?"... or ask yourself about the food that you shouldn't feed your chickens?
BYC has over a decade of experience with peeps asking these questions so we've put together a list of the top 50 most frequently asked foods people...
If you are a backyard chicken owner, you may have wondered if your chickens can eat grass. Chickens are omnivores and can eat a variety of foods, including insects, fruits, vegetables, grains, and even meat. But can chickens eat grass, and is it good for them?
In this article, we will explore...
Chickens need s certain amount of nutrients to grow strong & healthy. Water, proteins & carbohydrates are among the nutrients chickens require. Their growth depends on consuming the correct amount of these nutrients.
Chickens Need Protein
Are chickens so dependent on protein for a reason? Most...
The chicken is one of nature's most spectacular yet often underestimated creatures. People used to only consider this bird to be a source of eggs and meat until recently. According to studies, chickens have a high emotional IQ and a sense of order in their social lives. Therefore, when your...
We all know that backyard chickens don't always produce perfect eggs. You may find a misshaped egg from time to time, but finding blood spots on an eggshell is always alarming. While there's a myriad of other irregularities that may occur (such as double yolk eggs, excess calcium deposits, meat...
In the course of raising chickens for the first time, many backyard chicken farmers come across a variety of egg abnormalities. Eggs that are rubbery, yolkless, and have blood spots are not a major concern are some of these.
In your many years of chicken keeping, you may not have seen a lash...
Black spots on a chicken's comb can sometimes be frightening. Various reasons can cause black spots to appear on a chicken's comb. Do you need to worry? Let's investigate.
How Do Chickens Get Black Spots On Their Combs?
Chicken combs usually have black spots due to congealed blood. Depending on...
In order to provide your family with healthy, natural food, you should raise chickens. Eggs can also be sold to locals and neighbors. Backyard chickens are becoming increasingly popular, probably due to their low maintenance and lack of space requirements.
There's a lot to learn about chicken...
It is difficult to imagine anything more idealistic than the sight of happy chickens scratching around a farmyard carefree. In reality, free-ranging isn't always as easy as it may seem, but it has a number of benefits that make it worthwhile.
Nevertheless, free-ranging requires more than just...
Wild animals, especially, can have a hard time in the winter. Due to a shortage of food and bitterly cold temperatures, finding food is difficult & dangerous. Bears are the only predators that truly hibernate during the winter. Foxes, minks, raccoons & possums will stay in their dens till severe...
Building a chicken coop is an essential part of keeping poultry on a small scale. However, the process can be quite expensive, especially when using new materials. Fortunately, there are ways to build a coop without breaking the bank or harming the environment. One of the ways to achieve this is...
Trying to make sense of all of the different types of chicken feed can be quite challenging. If you walk into any farm supply store, you'll likely find yourself standing before a long row of bags of chicken feed, perhaps scratching your head in confusion.
You may be frustrated by all the jargon...
As spring approaches, some chicken keepers get the itch to go to the local feed store and check out the new little chicks. There is something irresistible about the peeping of a baby chick.
Nevertheless, the thought of integrating the younger members into the established flock with the big kids...
Thinking of building your very own Hoop Coop but don't know where to start? Well, you're at the right place because we've selected 10 top-rated Hoop Coops to give you some inspiration. Hoop Coops are basically big movable (sometimes permanent) semi-circular cattle-panel frames attached to a...
Thinking about having some chickens around, huh? Whether it's for eggs, meat, or just some feathered friends, it's not always a clear-cut decision.
Chickens are like us, they don't like being alone. So, having a few chicken buddies not only fights loneliness but keeps those egg cartons stocked...
Raising chickens has been a long-standing tradition for centuries, mainly for food production purposes. Nonetheless, there are numerous advantages to keeping chickens beyond just providing sustenance. These include the production of high-quality natural fertilizer and pest management. By...