Chickens January 01 2018 PDF

PREDATOR-PROOF ENTER THE BEST OF CLUCK WINTER vs.
SUMMER
DIY DAYTIME RUN ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST SCRATCH
FROM
THE ESSENTIAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

POULTRY PUBLICATION
What a
Beauty!
Are Your Chickens
Blue-Ribbon Birds?
NEW HEALTH SERIES
AVIAN INFLUENZA,
COCCIDIOSIS
AND MORE
SECRETS TO
GETTING A
Coop de Ville!
ALL-NEW
COLUMNS!
HISTORICAL
HENHOUSE
Q&A ADVICE
CHICKENSMAGAZINE.COM CHICKEN CAF

Circle No. 119 on the Reader Service Card.
January/February 2018
Vol. 9 No. 1
10 New Column!
Historic Henhouse
Go back in time and look at some
vintage poultry books and the still-
relevant advice they offer.
by Sue Weaver
20 Coop Shopping 101

Purchasing a ready-made
home for your flock has its perks.
Let our buyers guide help you choose
the right one.
by Cherie Langlois
28 Chicken Health,
from A to Z
Avian influenza to conjunctivitis
our new health series kicks off with
some very serious issues.
by Kristina Mercedes Urquhart
36 Breeding Between
the Lines
In part one of this three-part series,
we look at breeding chickens.
by Kristina Mercedes Urquhart
42 Run
Defense
Reinforce your run to make it safe from
predators with this step-by-step guide.
by Lisa Steele
50 Show
& Tell
Before you enter your showgirl in
Best of Breed, check out an event
to see how its done.
by Kenny Coogan
COVER: MICROCOSMOS/SHUTTERSTOCK; ABOVE: SALIENKO EVGENII/SHUTTERSTOCK
COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS
56 Up to
Scratch
Supplementing your chickens with
4 Flock Talk 62 Chicken Chat
a little scratch throughout the year
Questions & Answers 66 General Store
by Lisa Steele 68 Shutterclucks
can be beneficial to their health and
state of mind. 70 Poultry Science
8 Poultry Profile
by Deb Brandt by the School of Veterinary
Marans
Medicine at the UC Davis
74 Enter Our Annual

Photo Contest
Weve put together another great photo
16 Chicken Caf
Table Scraps
80 Last Squawk
contest that allows you to win some

by Frank Hyman ADVERTISING SECTIONS
awesome prizes for Best Group, Best 72 The Farmers Market
48 In the Kitchen 77 Gallery
Hen, Best Rooster, Best Coop and Baked Curry Chicken Cracklings 79 Classifieds
Cutest Chick. Enter today!
January/February 2018 CHICKENS 1

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 VOL. 9, NO. 1
EDITORIAL ADVERTISING SALES

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2 CHICKENS ChickensMagazine.com
FLOCK
Talk
By Lisa Steele
OANA RALUCA/SHUTTERSTOCK
Spaced Out
Q. I would like to add some more chick-
ens to my flock in the spring, but Im
not sure I have enough room for more with my
A. Its great that youre considering your
current situation before you add to
your flock. Overcrowding can lead to pecking
urrent setup. How much space do I need? or aggression issues, not to mention create an
unhealthy environment for your chickens. A
general guideline is that you need 3 to 5 square
Lets Talk! feet of coop floor space for each chicken, but
even more important is that you allow for
he creator of Fresh Eggs Daily (www.fresheggs at least 8 inches of roosting bar per bird for
daily.com) and the author of several books including Gardening sleeping at night.
with Chickens and her newly released childrens book, Lets Hatch You should also have one nesting box for
Chicks! A fifth-generation chicken-keeper and master gardener, every three to four hens. As for pen or run
Steel lives on a small farm in Maine with her husband, two dogs, space, if you dont plan to free-range your flock,
indoor/outdoor barn cat and flock of assorted chickens and ducks. a minimum of 10 square feet of open space for
If you have a question, email chickens@luminamedia.com, each chicken is recommended, but, of course,
with Flock Talk as the subject. Well select our favorites and the more space you can give them, the better.
publish them in upcoming issues. Never add chicks into a flock of adult chick-
ens. Wait until they are 10 to 12 weeks old,
Toll-free: 1- 866-954 -2968 greenfirefarms.com

MARTIN KUCERA/SHUTTERSTOCK; SUSIES FARM/SHUTTERSTOCK
You cant fully feathered and dont need heat any longer, box is a nice, private, safe place for her to sit
make a hen and about the same size as the older hens. on eggs. Sprinkle some calming herbs, such as
go broody, Then, keep them behind fencing for a week or lavender, catmint or chamomile, to help create
but you can two so everyone can acclimate to each other a relaxing environment.
encourage before you let all the birds mingle. Once youve made the nesting area as wel-
a hen with When adding adult hens to your flock, quar- coming as possible, just wait. If you dont have
brooding antine them in a separate area for a minimum any luck encouraging a hen to go broody, you can
tendencies of 30 days before you add them to your flock to always use an incubator to hatch some eggs.
to get set be sure they arent carrying any infectious dis-
to hatch
some eggs.
eases. Its also a good idea to keep them behind
fencing for an additional two weeks, as you
would chicks.
Q. Im considering planting a garden this
spring specifically for my chickens.
What kinds of vegetables should I plant?
Plants edi-
ble flowers,
such as
Q. I want to hatch some chicks this coming
spring. How do I make one of my hens go
broody?
A. Thats a wonderful idea! Planting extra
seeds with your chickens in mind
will give them nutritious, inexpensive treats
nasturtiums through the growing season. Leafy greens, mel-
(pictured
above
right) and
A. You cant make a chicken go broody
(that is, want to sit on eggs for the three
weeks it takes for them to hatch). However, you
ons, squash, peas, beans, broccoli and brussels
sprouts are bound to be flock favorites. Root
veggies, such as radishes, turnips, beets and
marigolds, can do a few things to encourage that behavior parsnips, are also great choices.
to provide in a bird that is prone to do so. Fully ripe vegetables are fine for your chick-
color to Choosing a breed that tends to be more ens in moderation, but the unripe crops, stems,
your garden inclined to sit on eggs is a good start. Most stalks and leaves can be toxic in large enough
and healthy modern breeds have had the broodiness bred amounts. Stay away from the nightshade fam-
snacks for out of them, but Silkies, Buff Orpingtons, ily, too, which includes tomatoes, peppers,
your hens. Brahmas, Cochins and many bantam hens are eggplants and white potatoes all of which
more apt to go broody. can be toxic to chickens. (Sweet potatoes, how-
Also, make sure the nesting boxes are free ever, are in the morning glory family, and the
of mice, snakes and parasites such as mites. entire plant is perfectly safe for chickens
Chickens can sense the presence of these pests to eat.) Also, onions can cause anemia in poul-
in a box and will be reluctant to lay eggs there, try if eaten in large quantities, so I skip them
much less sit on them. Fill the boxes with a in my chicken garden, along with avocados and
nice thick layer of bedding; chopped straw or rhubarb, which are also toxic to chickens.
pine shavings are good choices. Planting culinary herbs, such as parsley,
Leaving fake eggs in the nesting boxes can cilantro, basil and dill, is a great idea for your
help encourage a hen to be broody. Golf balls, chicken garden, as is adding some edible flow-
ceramic eggs or even round, smooth stones ers, such as nasturtiums, marigolds, echinaceas,
will work. violets and bee balm, which add some color as
Hanging some drape-style curtains can well as great health benefits for your flock.
encourage a broody hen as well. They dont
need to be fancy; they just need to block the Email your poultry-related questions to Lisa at
front of the boxes. A hen needs to feel that the chickens@luminamedia.com, subject: Flock Talk.
Dont forget to nd
us on Facebook.
Poultry
Profile
Marans
This French bird found
a new continent,
as American soldiers
brought them back to
North America
after
World War II.
Pure Marans Mature

hens lay The Marans Chicken Club USA describes the breed as a males
unique medium-sized bird with the character of a rustic farm hen, weigh up to
giving an impression of solidity and strength without being
rich, coppery-
brown eggs,
which are a
result from
coarse. The legs are lightly feathered, but leg feathering should
never be excessively heavy. Marans are dual-purpose, laying
up to 200 eggs annually and making decent table birds.
Find out more at www.maranschickenclubusa.com.
8
pounds.
a recessive
gene; when

crossed with Marans originated in the port city of Marans, France. Hens weigh
6 2
another
breed, the
American Poultry Association-approved plumage varieties
include White, Black Copper and Wheaten. Other varieties
1
eggs appear breeders are working on include Birchen, Black, Blue, Blue
WWW.DIANEJACKY.COM
much lighter. Copper, Blue Wheaten, Columbian, Crele, Cuckoo and Splash. pounds.
Historical
Henhouse | by Sue Weaver
The Biggle Poultry Book

M ore than a century ago, Jacob Biggle
was a household name in towns and
farms across the U.S. and Canada.
The noted author had written a series of inex-
pensive and wildly successful books about
Big Opinions
Biggle advocated kindness toward animals
in an era (1894-1917) when that wasnt always
the norm. In The Biggle Horse Book, he wrote: If
you must put frosty bits in some mouths, let
subjects as diverse as horses, orchards, pets, it be your own. Suffering begets sympathy. In
berries and bees that saw as many as 10 editions his books about cattle and sheep, he wrote: No
printed in the late 1800s and the early 1900s. One animal responds to good treatment so quickly
of them was The Biggle Poultry Book: A concise and as the cow and Do not scare [sheep] to death
practical treatise on the management of farm poultry. when you go among them, nor yell at them
Biggle was also a frequent contributor to when trying to drive them.
Farm Journal, the leading agricultural publi- He also advised readers of his poultry book that
cation of his day. His books were produced kindness will work wonders among the fowls:
through the Farm Journals publishing house, Treat them kindly in all ways, and they will
which was based in Philadelphia at the time. appreciate it. He was a man ahead of his time.
Jacob Biggle, however, wasnt his real name; Readers must have appreciated his sense
it was a pseudonym. To this day, no one is cer- of humor, too. The public know where Peter
tain who he really was. Some say that Biggle Tumbledowns chickens roost by the appear-
was Wilmer Atkinson, a Quaker farmer and ance of his wagon when he drives into town,
the then-publisher of Farm Journal, whose he wrote, and A hen hatching ducks is brooding
writing style mirrored that of the Biggle books. over trouble for herself. About keeping pea-
Whoever he was, Biggle knew his stuff. fowl, he wrote: One pair is enough for a whole
IMAGES COURTESY INTERNET ARCHIVE BOOK IMAGES/FLICKR
Jacob
Biggle
wrote that
Breeds
and individ-
uals of each
breed differ
in activity
and vigor.
breeds must provide higher fences, or where the
runs are small, make the fences low and cover
the entire top with netting, he wrote.
To feed his favored Asiatics, he advised that
all scraps from the table that would commonly
go to dogs and cats should be fed to the chick-
ens. Milk or other liquid wastes may be mixed
with bran. They should have a liberal supply of
grass from the lawn and waste green vegetables
from the garden and only a small ration of grain.
Thus fed, they will lay and will not grow fat.
Lawn clippings, dried in the shade and stored in
bags, make the choicest of winter greens for a
village flock or indeed for any fowls.
Nonstandard Fare
Biggle wrote about other topics as well.
BANTAMS A flock of bantams will be
found useful where room is limited. Although
their eggs are small, they are prolific layers.
The birds themselves being small do little
injury to lawns or gardens when at liberty,
while they destroy many harmful insects.
TURKEYS In the fall when the harvest fields
ighborhood, as by their shrill cry are gleaned, the grasshopper crop gathered in
ey can awaken everybody within a and insects become scarce, the birds are well-
dius of half a mile. He must have grown and lusty. The corn fields are now their
ked to make his readers smile. favorite haunt, and they are inclined to linger
The 18 chapters in The Biggle longer around the farm yard and are eager for
ultry Book cover topics including anything in the way of eatables their owner has
reeds, hatching eggs, growing to offer. Thanksgiving comes along about this
roilers and keeping a flock of hens time, and the first installment of flock should be
n town. He also discusses raising prepared for market and one of the best of the
urkeys, ducks, geese and pigeons, lot reserved for the owners own table.
and he lightly touches upon guinea GUINEAS Their peculiar cry when alarmed
owl, swans and peafowl. will scare hawks and crows in the day-time. At
The most relevant chapter night they are light sleepers and when aroused
for modern chicken-keepers is by thieves or other marauders their noise will
Chapter 10: The Village Hennery. arouse the neighborhood. They are great rovers
One illus- In it, Biggle wrote that persons living in towns and foragers, destroying many insects and weed
tration in and villages may oftentimes find pleasure and seed, but doing little damage to crops. For mak-
The Biggle profit in keeping a small flock of poultry. The ing a gamey pot-pie, no other domestic fowl
Poultry mistake most frequently made by those who equals the guinea. They lay many small but rich
Book undertake to do so is in attempting to keep too eggs ... In the hennery, they are pugnacious and
features many, he wrote. When confined in small yards abusive toward other fowls, and their unceasing
Houdans,
they become unhealthy and unproductive; if chatter is annoying to some people. Their good
which the
author permitted to roam, they become a nuisance traits over-balance their bad ones, and a few
states are in the neighborhood and a prolific source of should be in every farm yard.
good lay- unneighborly feeling of disputes which only a
ers, have justice of the peace can settle. To maintain a Old-Fashioned Advice
compact, peaceful mind and quiet community, attention Among the best features of the Biggle books
well- should be paid to the variety of fowls kept and by far are the blocks of handy tips scattered
porpor- to the yard fences. throughout.
tioned Biggle recommends the Asiatic breeds It is all right to have coops wind-tight, but
bodies, and
Brahmas and Cochins because they thrive all wrong to have them air-tight. Chicks must
are supe-
rior table better in close confinement than the smaller and have ventilation as well as warmth. If insuffi-
and market more active breeds and are more easily confined. cient air be admitted, the atmosphere of the
fowls. Those who prefer the smaller and more active coop becomes not only foul but damp.
This Long
Island duck
farm pho-
tograph
appears in
the chapter
on ducks.
Rub off the dusty windows, and let in the A state of fear and excitement is unfa-
light. vorable to egg production. Every movement
Lettuce affords a quick-growing and among a flock of hens should be gentle.
choice green food. To break up a broody hen, shut her in the
Use small hens to hatch thin-shelled eggs. coop the first time you see her on the nest. The
If the hen deserts the nest for a few hours longer she sits, the more set in her ways she
and allows the eggs to become chilled, do not becomes.
throw the eggs away. Let them have another Notice with what pleasure a hen scratches
trial; they will stand exposure for a long while among the forest leaves in summer. This is a
and yet hatch well. hint to save the leaves to scatter on the floor of
It is bad policy to keep the big, slow- the poultry house in winter.
motioned fowls and the small, nervous, quick- A large proportion of the substance of an egg
motioned breeds together in one flock. They is water. Eggs cannot be made out of dry grain
require different feeding and treatment; they and dried grass. Hens that lay in winter must
do not harmonize. have a liberal supply of water from some source.
A hens teeth are in her gizzard. Sand, Drinking water in cold weather should be
gravel and like substances are the teeth. Keep neither hot nor ice-cold, but simply cool, and
them sharp. always clear and fresh.
Free Library A
s youd expect, some of the information
in the book is dated, but a surprising
amount is still appropriate today. Give
All the vintage poultry books well discuss in upcoming issues The Biggle Poultry Book a try. Its available as a
of Chickens magazine are available from the Biodiversity Heritage paperback reprint from Skyhorse Publishing
Library, a consortium of libraries dedicated to making digital a (www.skyhorsepublishing.com) and down-
huge array of old-time natural history and agricultural books and loadable as a free PDF file from the Biodiversity
journals so theyre available as free downloads to anyone who Heritage Library (www.biodiversitylibrary.org)
wants to read them. and Google Books (https://books.google.com).
Visit the librarys website and download the 10th edition of Its interesting, entertaining and a first-class
The Biggle Poultry Book (www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/ guide to poultry keeping in days gone by.
32752#/summary) quoted in this story. More than 200,000 titles
are available, among them five editions of The Biggle Poultry Book, Sue Weaver has written for Chickens magazine
more than 50 general-interest poultry books, and a plethora of since the very first issue, as the columnist of Poultry
books just about chickens including breeds and bantams, geese, Profiles and The Holistic Henhouse. She lives on
ducks, turkeys and guinea fowl. Its a resource every poultry keeper a small farm in the Arkansas Ozarks and is the
should have. author of Chickens: Tending a small-scale flock
for pleasure and profit (2011, 2nd Edition).
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Chicken
Caf | column and photos by Frank Kerouac
Food for Thought

I ts never my intention to embarrass my in a way that turns them into methane gas. The
wife when we go out to dinner. But she methane will escape into the atmosphere, where
sometimes cringes when I ask the waiter its 25 times worse for promoting climate disrup-
for a to-go box so I can feed the leftovers to our tion than an equal amount of CO2 coming from
chickens. The staff is always happy to hear that your car exhaust or those garbage trucks.
the food isnt going to waste, but my wife pre- If you dispose of food scraps down the drain,
tends she doesnt know me. with or without a garbage disposal, things arent
Too few restaurants compost or give their much better. When those scraps of food waste
food waste to farmers, which contributes to get to your municipalitys water treatment
the average citizen generating 20 pounds of plant, the staff spends taxpayer money getting
food waste per month, according to the U.S. all that organic matter out of the water so it
Department of Agriculture. That adds up to doesnt kill fish downstream.
about 240 pounds of food waste per person in If my two-person household generates almost
Chickens a year. Citywide, that means food waste from 500 pounds of food waste per year, then I esti-
will love homes, restaurants and institutions comprises mate that I should be able to give a third of that
almost any about 13 percent of municipal trash going to the to my chickens about 160 pounds (much of
less-than- landfill. That probably costs your city about $40 that weight is water, but still). I dont have hard
perfect a ton or more, and its hauled by garbage trucks numbers, but I believe our modest efforts at
produce that get as little as 3 miles per gallon. (Thats not using food waste from our kitchen, our meals
you toss a typo.) So every time you throw food away, you out and scraps from our neighbors might reduce
their way put upward pressure on your own tax bill. our chicken feed bill as much as 15 percent.
but nothing There are also environmental advantages to Clearly, feeding some food waste to backyard
rotten or letting your hens eat these food scraps. If these chickens is a great way to fight climate disrup-
moldy. scraps go to a landfill, they slowly decompose tion, reduce landfill costs, cut water treatment
costs and decrease our chicken feed bill, too.
Finding a way to share some of that food waste
with backyard chickens makes (dollars and)
sense. So here are some tips on how you can
reduce your contribution to food waste.
Kitchen Food Waste

We already had a container for food scraps
that go to our compost bins. A few years back,
we set up a second one on the kitchen counter
for scraps that would please the chickens. The
original compost container still gets things
that the chickens wont or shouldnt eat, such
as coffee grounds, paper towels, citrus peels,
avocado skins (which are toxic to chickens)
and anything moldy or spoiled.
Before you throw scraps in, put a folded
paper towel in the bottoms of both containers
to absorb moisture and make it easier to pop
out the contents without having to scrape
them out. Then, start saving your scraps.
PRODUCE Being omnivores (able to digest
plant and animals foods), chickens like almost
Scrap These Scraps
Avoid putting the following in your chicken
scrap pile.
Avocados
Chocolate
Citrus Peels
Coffee/Coffee Grounds
Moldy, Rotten or Spoiled Food
Potato Peels
Processed Foods
Raw Meat
Salt
Soft Drinks
all the scraps of vegetables and fruit that we leftover rice, old pasta, stale crackers and cereal This vin-
give them, with the important exceptions of crumbs from the bottoms of boxes. Anything tage white
uncooked potato skins and avocados, which flaky or crunchy from grains will suit them. pot holds
are reportedly toxic. They will attack any left- MEAT & FISH Chickens are not vegetarians. items to be
over corn on the cob, apple cores, overripe They like meat; I mean they like meat the way composted,
cucumbers and carrot tops. Occasionally, at our a good Southern boy, such as myself, needs his while the
neighborhood grocery, I divert a box of vegeta- daily dose of pork products. Chickens really like smaller red
ble scraps from the trash receptacle, and the cooked meat, including gristle, tendons and container
chickens plow through the scraps right away. fat. They will pick bones clean, leaving nothing holds treats
BREAD & GRAINS We sometimes freeze to attract vermin nothing. And because we for the hens.
stale bread to add to soups, but we also give cover the ground in our pen with wood chips,
bread scraps to our chickens. They devour bread, any bones quickly decompose in place, too.
A child and a treasured pet are

simply inseparable. Which is why
we developed All-Natural Homestead
Poultry Feed. Its complete nutrition.
Its balanced nutrition. Its love.
NUTRITION FOR LIFE . Its in our nature.

HUBBARDLIFE.COM

We dont feed them chicken
scraps, as that seems weird. We
dont want to support cannibalism
for any species. (Its also a potential
for disease: Mad cow disease came
Coop Dreams from feeding cow parts to cows.)
We also dont give them fish
bones. The smell would stick around
too long. That said, we do give them
scraps of fish skin, lobster shells and
shrimp shells, which get gobbled
right up. Those shellfish are related
to insects, and as you probably know,
chickens love them some bugs.
FATS & OILS If you have the
bad habit of pouring cooking oil
down the sink, you really should
see what this stuff looks like when
it congeals inside a city sewer pipe.
These grotesque icebergs of fat (aka
fatbergs) cause nearly half of the
sewer overflows in the U.S. each
year. And even when the fat doesnt
congeal into a fatberg, it still has to
be removed from the wastewater,
and that costs taxpayer money.
Instead of pouring cooking oil or
fat from bacon, burgers, steaks and
pork chops (mmm pork chops)
down the drain or even putting that
stuff in the trash, we pour and
scrape our waste oils and fat into
a bowl and let it set up in the fridge
overnight. We then feed it to the
hens the next morning. Its like pud-
Your chickens are dreaming of a comfortable, fresh ding for chickens, and they gobble it
smelling bedding for their coop. FLOCK FRESH is it! up fast. Thats not nearly as strange
Plus, its all-natural, safe and compostable for use
as it sounds. Many cooking oil-
in your family garden. Find out more online and
recycling operations turn waste oils
look for it in your favorite store today.
from restaurants and food proces-
VWDQGOHHIRUDJHFRPRFNIUHVK
sors into livestock feed anyway.
Another tip: If you have dusty bits
Circle No. 130 on the Reader Service Card. of pellets or grains that the chickens
arent eating, mix them with liquid
waste oils into a paste that your hens
%GHBJR
will devour.
The chickens dont get all the
bacon fat at our house, though. Its
CHFHS
the best thing for frying eggs sunny-
side up.
DAIRY Cheese rinds and leftover
milk from cereal bowls are also pop-
ular with the poultry set.
EGGSHELLS We give our hens
SUBSCRIBE ONLINE eggshells. We smash the shells
ChickensMagazine.com/subscribe flat so they dont resemble an egg;
#ChicksDigChickens Or Call 888-556-2893
we dont want to encourage egg-
eating. But the calcium in the shells
is valuable. When our hens are laying heavily,
they wolf down the crushed eggshells. During
winter, when they are laying less, they are
more laissez-faire about the shells.
NEIGHBORS No, we dont feed our neighbors
to our chickens, but our neighbors do bring food to
our chickens, such as melon rinds, pumpkin guts
and leftover pasta. They say its because they like
to visit our chickens, but I think they are coming
over for a few free eggs, too, which we are happy to
give them because our three birds produce more
eggs than our two-person household can eat.
Essentially, we encourage reverse community- some folks who spoil their birds by cooking the Dont pour
supported agriculture on our block. You might pumpkins first, but thats not necessary. cooking fats
know CSA as a method for consumers to pay We also gently encourage our neighbors to down the
farmers in advance for their produce. We ask save their meat scraps in the fridge to share drain or
our neighbors to save their kitchen scraps with our hens. But that program is going a into the
with the exceptions noted previously and lot more slowly than the reverse CSA of fruit, garbage.
drop them off in the run. vegetable and pasta. Thats OK. Change comes Save bacon
After fall holidays, such as Halloween and slowly, but it does come. fat in a
Thanksgiving, its party time in the coop as bowl, let it
neighbors drop off their out-of-date ornamen- Frank Kerouac is a former organic farmer whos now set up in the
tal squashes and pumpkins. I toss these in the cultivating homegrown crops for his chickens. He fridge and
pen and chop them into accessible sections. wrote the Coop Builder column for Chickens maga- deliciously
You can imagine how quickly the seeds disap- zine for three years. His book on very low maintenance fry eggs or
pear. And the flesh goes next, leaving a very backyard chicken-keeping, Hentopia, will be pub- vegetables.
thin layer of inedible pumpkin skin. I know lished by Storey in late 2018.

COOP
Shopping
Purchasing a ready-made home for your flock has its perks.
Let our buyers guide help you choose the right one.
101
By Cherie Langlois
M
essy roommates can be such a pain especia
when they leave wet droppings around to trac
onto your beautiful eggs. Let me explain: You s
my chickens and ducks had long cohabitated in
revamped dog run, not the best of living arran
ments. For years, I dreamed of my handy husband and I buildi
the chicken contingent its own dream coop, but every year, oth
do-it-yourself projects prevailed. It never happened.
So last spring, with six new Barred Rock pullets growing at lig
speed in our mudroom, I scrapped our DIY plans and searched
online. I soon found a selection of handsome, sturdy-looking
coops built by a local craftsman in Orting, Wash. That afternoon
we went coop shopping; the next day, a large cedar coop arrived
via pickup truck, and our girls finally had a new home.
Why Buy?
Sure, if you build a coop yourself, you can tailor your laying
flocks home to its needs and yours. You can also construct it t
fit your budget and style, whether functional or fancy.
Building your own coop is usually cheaper, too, says
Jonathan Moyle, Ph.D., a lifelong chicken-raiser and poultry
specialist at the University of Maryland Extension.
But heres the hitch: Constructing an abode for your biddies
takes know-how, tools and time.
Consider your wants and needs as well as the wants and

needs of your flock when thinking about purchasing a coop.
OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: LIZ & JOHNNY WESLEY BARKER/FLICKR; CHERIE LANGLOIS; JESS/FLICKR; CHERIE LANGLOIS. ABOVE: CHERIE LANGLOIS
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE/FLICKR; REBECCA SHIRAEV/FLICKR
Look for a
My husband and I are not handy at all, she
coop that
fits your says. I knew if I wanted chickens, wed have to
security buy the coop ready-made.
needs.
Chicken Needs
Moyle advises prospective raisers to check
their local zoning and homeowners associa-
tion rules before shopping for a coop (or chick-
ens, for that matter). Some ordinances or HOAs
require setbacks from property lines, while
some ban chickens. Next, think about the fea-
tures your birds need in their new home.
If you don t have these, then it make sense A coop can be anything, as long as it pro-
to buy one, Moyle says. And there are a lot of vides for the needs of your flock, Moyle says.
nice coops out there. PROTECTION Chickens are vulnerable to
Indeed, with the variety of chicken dwellings a dismaying number of predators, so coop con-
on the market, you stand a good chance of find- struction thats predator-proof should be a top
ing one that fits your situation, budget and style. concern.
Jenni Rich of Graham, Wash., opted to pur- Im on a research farm, and a fox just ran
chase a plastic coop because of time constraints. by, Moyle says. You have to make sure your
I wanted to build, she says. But my hus- birds are protected.
band travels a lot, wed already purchased 10 Predator risk varies depending on where you
chicks and it was a rainy, yucky spring. We live. If youre next to a woodlot, youll need
didnt know how long building would take us a higher level of protection than in a subdivi-
and didnt want our chickens sitting in the sion, he says.
garage longer than they had to. My wooded rural area is raccoon central, so
Suzanne Stuck of Sandusky, Ohio, bought I looked for a sturdy wood coop with no open-
two wooden coops for her first flock of nine. ings where these clever animals could reach
The reason? through. Because we once had raccoons break
through flimsy chicken wire, I also wanted
ventilation windows and a covered outer pen
made of strong steel hardware cloth. A securely
latching pop hole and pen doors ranked high
on my list of priorities, too.
Even living in town, Stuck worries about rac-
Coop Retailers
coons, among other predators. Ready to shop? Weve rounded up some retailers with
I was happy that our coops wood wasnt nice selections to get you started.
flimsy, and they had heavy-duty locks and Alpine Structures: www.alpinestructures.net
latches on the doors, she says. AmishCoops.com: www.amishcoops.com
The structure must also protect your flock Carolina Coops: www.carolinacoops.com
from inclement weather while providing CC ONLY: www.cconly.com
enough ventilation to avoid a buildup of mois- The Chicken Coop Co.: www.chickencoopcompany.com
ture, ammonia and heat. Moyle notes that Chicken Saloon: www.chickensaloon.com
although chickens are fairly hardy, they need Circo Innovations: www.circoinnovations.com
shelter from wind, rain, snow and hot sun. Easy-Garden: www.easy-garden.com
Again, the degree of weatherproofing required Eggstreme Coops: www.eggstremecoops.com
depends on where you live. For example, Rich EZ Fit Sheds: www.ezfitsheds.com
and I reside in the rainy Puget Sound region, Lancaster Chicken Coops: www.lancasterchickencoops.com
so we need structures with slanted roofs and My Pet Chicken: www.mypetchicken.com
overhangs. Stuck knew she needed a strong, Omlet: www.omlet.us
snug setup to weather heavy snows and cold. Quail Manufacturing: www.eggcartn.com
We all looked for adequate ventilation and a Snap Lock Chicken Coops: www.snaplockchickencoops.com
means to control it, such as adjustable vents or Tractor Supply Co.: www.tractorsupply.com
screened windows that easily open and close. Urban Coop Co.: www.urbancoopcompany.com
SUFFICIENT SPACE Determining what
size coop to buy can be tricky. Consider the size
of your flock and your breeds (such as bantam

versus standard), plus whether the
residence includes a run or access
to another roaming area. If your
biddies spend most of their days
free-ranging, then a smaller home
is probably OK. If your birds have to
stay cooped up for long periods, then
theyll appreciate more space.
Bantams require at least 1 square
foot per bird, while standard layers
A century of dedication, need at least 3 square feet per bird
one generation at a time. inside the coop. (For more about
spacing, see the Flock Talk column
on page 4 Ed.) Sellers usually list a
suggested occupant range for specific
coop models, such as three to six
CELEBRATING birds; however, aim for a coop thats
too big. Chickens dont like to be
overcrowded any more than we do.
ACCESSORIES Hens crave safe,
| secretive places to lay their eggs,
and your flocks home should supply
at least one nest box for every four
birds. Moyle explains that for most
standard layers, 12 by 12 inches will
do, but bigger breeds should have
a 14-by-14-inch box. Chickens also
require enough elevated perch space
so everybody can sleep in peace.
Eight to 10 inches per bird is
recommended, depending on their
There are more chickens in the world, nearly size, he says, but I like to provide
more space for them to spread out
25 billion, than any other bird species. during hot weather.
Additionally, perches should be
made from a material that doesnt
conduct heat or cold. Wood is a
Chicken Safe, Inc. 662-385-5888 good choice, he says.

Also when evaluating a coop, con-
Quality Housing For Chicken Safety sider where youll provide your clucky
companions with food and water. I
encourage people to put food and
water inside the coop, Moyle says.
From 13x13 to 20x39
Optional PVC Covers &
Disease transmission is a con-
Wheel Sets
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cern, so its healthier for your
Wheel Sets chickens if wild birds dont eat and
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COST & DURABILITY Coop
models exist in a mind-boggling array
of materials, styles, sizes and prices.
However, If its too cheap, its
www.ChickenSafe.com probably that way for a reason,
Moyle says. Ive seen some of the
Open-air ventilation helps keep the coop and its inhabitants healthy.
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OREGON DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE/FLICKR
kit coops that use smaller dimen-
sional lumber to make them easy
to ship, and the durability isnt
there. Its better to pay more and
have something do the job you
need it to do.
If youre new to keeping chick-
CHICKEN COOPS ens, though, you might want to
start small and less spendy. Stuck
purchased a well-made and sturdy
prefab one for less than $400.
Because Id never had chickens
before, I didnt want to invest a lot
of money in one of the huge, beau-
tiful, expensive Amish coops they
sell around here, Stuck said.
EASE OF CLEANING A clean
coop makes for a healthier flock,
pristine eggs and fewer rodent
problems, so consider coops that
are as convenient to clean as
possible. The coops that Rich and
Stuck bought have easy-access Make sure your new chicken coop
doors or hatches to various com- will have plenty of roosting space,
partments and slide-out trays that at least 8 inches of bar per bird.
made in
make cleaning roost areas and nest
boxes easy. (See www.hobbyfarms.com/mobile-
the USA
Though my girls residence lacks coops-vs-stationary-coops-which-
trays, the roost and nest box areas is-best). My husband and I wanted
have doors that swing down and our hens home to be heavy-duty
after we added cut-to-fit vinyl enough to withstand wind and
flooring sweeping them out predators while also offering us the
became a lot easier. Unlike that old possibility of relocating it periodi-
dog run, the covered pen also has cally. We chose a coop that offered
ample headroom. In other words, the best on both counts.
no clobbering my skull when I SET-UP TIME & DIFFICULTY
clean to the coop. Purchasing a kit coop means some
PORTABILITY You can find assembly is required, so check
stationary coops as well as mobile online reviews to see whether
ones. Each has its pros and cons. buyers encountered difficulties.
For Sale: Used Coop

Searching online classified sites youll probably find a lot of coops, many
of them used. Beware, however, because you could bring home more than a
bargain abode. While some good used coops are available for good prices,
ask the seller about his or her flocks size and disease history before buying.
If the flock is large or there has been a problem [with infectious dis-
ease], I wouldnt buy it, says poultry specialist Jonathan Moyle, Ph.D.
If you buy used, thoroughly clean and disinfect the structure before
bringing it home.
Clean first, then disinfect, Moyle says. Disinfectants dont work on
dirty surfaces.
For more biosecurity tips, go to https://extension.umd.edu/poultry/
small-flock-production/biosecurity-protects-your-birds.

Happily, Rich and Stuck found
their respective models easy to
set up.
Poultry Butler 0
I actually put mine together by Automatic Coop Door

myself, Rich says. It just snapped Now with
together, only needed a few tools,

and the directions were nice and
straightforward.
To Mod a Coop 6WDUWLQJDW

No coop is perfect. Rich wishes
the roost area trays in hers had 7KH3RXOWU\%XWOHUFRPHVSUH-DVVHPEOHGDQGLVHDV\WRLQVWDOOQRNLWV
stronger sides, as they tend to col- 7KHLQFOXGHGGLJLWDOWLPHUFRQWUROOHUDQGDGMXVWDEOHOLJKWVHQVRUOHWV\RX
lapse under the birds weight. Stuck VZLWFKEHWZHHQSUHVHWWLPHVRUOLJKWOHYHODFWLYDWLRQ$KLJKWRUTXHJHDU
notes that the short height of her PRWRUDQGZRUPGULYHDFWLYDWHVWKHGRRUZKLOHWKHDGMXVWDEOH
PHFKDQLFDOFOXWFKSUHYHQWVSUHGDWRUVIURPOLIWLQJWKHGRRU1RVWULQJV
coops attached runs made clean-
DWWDFKHG:HKDYHYHU WLFDODQGKRU L]RQWDOPRGHOV$-YROWEDWWHU\
ing difficult. When my own flocks DSSOLFDWLRQLVDOVRDYDLODEOH7KHGRRURSHUDWHVIURPGHJUHHVEHORZ
home leaked after the first big rain, ]HURWRGHJUHHV:HKDYHPRGHOVIRUFKLFNHQVWXUNH\VGXFNV
I wished wed gotten the optional *XLQHDVDQGDOPRVWDQ\RWKHUIRZO
roof gutters.
The good news is that you can
9LVLWRXUZHEVLWHRUFDOO--IRUGHWDLOV
always modify a coop a little or
ZZZSRXOWU\EXWOHUFRP
a lot. In our case, plastic sheeting
solved the leak issues until we
could put up gutters. Stuck painted 3RXOWU\%XWOHUKDVEHHQFRPPLWWHGWRWKHFRPIRUWDQGVHFXULW\RI
her coops to extend their life and \RXUELUGVDQGWKHLPSRUWDQFHRI\RXUWLPHIRURYHU\HDUV
match her home, and then had a
handy friend add a tall, 130-square-
foot covered run. Rich and her
husband mounted their coop on
a frame of pressure-treated wood,
making it more wind-resistant and Scientists know of at least 30 recognized calls that
splashproof, plus more accessible chickens make to communicate, though many
for cleaning. They also constructed others likely exist that have not yet been identified.
a spacious pen around it, burying
the wire to stymie predators.
So far, both women are pleased
with their coops, as I am with mine,
but more importantly, our chickens
seem happy, too.
Our birds do fine, Rich says.
THE GENESIS ADJUSTABLE DIGITAL THERMOSTAT WITH
They go in at night, out in the TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY DISPLAY
morning, and use the nest boxes ACCURATE. DEPENDABLE.
and roosts. It would have been nice AUTOMATIC.
to build something fancy, but for
now, this is totally fine and func-
tional. For a first-time coop, I think
its fabulous.
Cherie Langlois is a freelance writer and

former bird keeper who has kept chick-
ens (and ducks!) on her Washington
hobby farm for nearly 30 years. Shes
the author of Ducks: Tending a
small-scale flock for pleasure G.Q.F. Manufacturing Company
and profit and tries to remember to Incubators, Brooders, Cages & Supplies
tend her blog at www.cherielanglois.
wordpress.com.
GQFmfg.com
A to Z
Avian influenza to conjunctivitis
our new health series kicks off
with some serious issues.
By Kristina Mercedes Urquhart
W
elcome to our new series on poultry health.
Throughout the year, well head down the
alphabet, from A through Z, to cover some of
the most common and concerning poultry ail-
ments, illnesses and diseases as well as how to
prevent and treat them. Lets get started with letters A through C.
Avian Influenza
We dont waste any time, do we? This is a big one. Before we
get into how it might affect your flock, though, lets first bust one
myth about the bird flu: that youll get the influenza virus if your
birds do. Its much more complicated than that. While its true
that the avian and human influenza viruses are the same type,
huge genetic differences exist between the subtypes that infect
birds and people. While its possible to become infected when
coming into contact with a sick bird, the spread to humans is
incredibly rare.
When avian influenza hits birds, it ranges so widely in symp-
toms that it can be difficult to diagnose without the assistance
of an avian veterinarian because it can look like so many other
NICK BEER/SHUTTERSTOCK
ailments. Sick birds might show mild symptoms or be so severely

afflicted that rapid decline and death occur before diagnosis.
Symptoms include coughing and sneezing, loss of appetite or
loose stools, and obvious problems relating to the nervous sys-
tem. Hens can also stop laying or lay soft-shelled eggs.
STOCK PHOTOS/SHUTTERSTOCK
Prevent
USGA/FLICKR
bumblefoot
Bumblefoot
by not Far less fatal and far less serious, bumble-
letting foot is an easily preventable yet unfortunately
your birds rather common ailment in young and mature
spend time chickens. Bumblefoot is a chronic infection on
on wire the footpad, often the result of an injury that
flooring. became infected. Its easily diagnosed by locat-
ing the abscess on the footpad.
Bumblefoot is very easily prevented, far
more so than treating it once it has occurred:
Reduce or eliminate, if you can any time
that your birds spend on wire. Keep the coop
and all enclosures clean with deep, dry bed-
ding, and clean the litter regularly. Keep all
roosts sanded down and at heights birds can
reach. In short, avoid situations where the feet
might become injured.
Bumblefoot can be very difficult to treat. In
some cases, a veterinarian can inject penicillin
Avian Influenza into the swollen area. Otherwise, the abscess

needs to be removed manually, dressed prop-
It is rare for people to get infected with bird erly and kept incredibly clean. For humans,
flu viruses, but it can happen. Bird flu viruses can impetigo is a mild health risk, so wear gloves
infect people when enough virus gets into a per- when handling birds with bumblefoot.
sons eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Blowout
www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/bird-flu-basics.htm Properly called prolapse, a blowout occurs
when the lower part of the oviduct is turned
Blowout
If you have a high incidence
of prolapse in the flock, consider
using a very low-wattage red
bulb. In red light, the birds wont
be as attracted to the everted
oviducts, reducing damage to the At Natures Best, our feed is created and tested
oviducts that are slow to return by poultry nutrition experts using only organically farmed,
to the body.
Non-GMO Project Veried crops.
University of Kentucky Extension.
http://articles.extension.org/
pages/65423/prolapse-in-poultry-
kept-in-small-and-backyard-flocks
inside out and ends up on the out-

side of the vent. Its a reproductive
complication that can occur in any
pullet or hen but is more common
in certain breeds and strains of
those breeds.
Applying hemorrhoid cream to
the vent and isolating the hen until
she improves can remedy minor My family has been milling
prolapsed vents. If shes not treated feed for 70 years. We guarantee
your satisfaction.
or left with the flock, the other
n, President
birds will undoubtedly pick at the Jason R
obinso
vent and worsen the situation.

Dont take chances with flock can-
nibalism. (See Cannibalism entry
in the next section.) Manufactured By
Prevention is important but cant

always save a hen from developing
a blowout, as some hens are bred to Produced in a Safe
Feed/Safe Food
lay early or lay exceptionally large JLY[PLKMHJPSP[`
eggs, making them more prone to
prolapse. Raise breeds that dont
lay gargantuan eggs or start too
Organicfe esBestOrganic
early. Feed birds a properly man-
aged diet that matches their age
and stage of life; hens with too Circle No. 120 on the Reader Service Card.
much fat in their diets can accumu-
Live to
late fat stores in their reproductive
system, making reproductive disor-
ders more likely.
Farm
Cannibalism
Chicken cannibalism is a highly
unfortunate, sometimes heartbreak-
ing, evolutionary tactic bird flocks REAL, HONEST, PROUD
have developed. In a healthy flock,
with plenty of physical space for
each bird, the flock keeps a hierarchy
of alpha to subordinate birds. Each SUBSCRIBE TODAY
HobbyFarms.com/subscribe
bird knows where she stands in the Or Call 800-627-6157
hierarchy. That status is reinforced
NICK BEER/SHUTTERSTOCK
IRENE KIGHTLEY/FLICKR
in subtle as well as overt ways daily. If a rooster

is present in the flock, he is almost immediately
considered the alpha, and the hens still fall
within the hierarchy below him. Mild pecking,
picking, chasing and grabbing at feathers are
natural ways birds will reinforce these roles,
but when the pecking order gets out of bal-
ance, aggressive pecking begins and others will
follow suit.
Cannibalism is not reserved solely for adult
birds, either. Mature chickens will target chicks,
and even minor pecks on tiny chicks can be
fatal. Mature birds will also consume eggs
under certain circumstances, a big problem
known as egg-eating.
Bumblefoot The previous few paragraphs might paint

a scary picture, but theres some really good
If it is detected while the lesion is soft and pliable, chances for news when it comes to chicken cannibalism:
successful treatment are higher than if treatment is delayed until the The prevention is exactly the same as the
lesion becomes rock hard. Early bumblefoot infections can be suc- treatment, and that is to simply give the birds
cessfully treated with antibiotics, separating the affected bird from more space. Its much easier to build a larger
the flock and providing deep bedding to limit stress on the sore foot. coop before you have a flock of chickens that
University of New Hampshire Extension. need more space.
www.extension.unh.edu/poultry The big takeaway is to create adequate
housing for a flock larger than you anticipate
SUTIDAS/SHUTTERSTOCK
Prevent egg-eating by collecting eggs daily

Cannibalism and providing a nest box that is enclosed, low
to the ground, dark, soft and dry. Eliminate any
Placing colored or shiny items for the egg-eating hens from your flock as soon as you
birds to pick at and occupy their time can can, because the behavior is quite contagious.
draw attention away from other birds [pre-
venting cannibalism]. Hanging shiny cans Coccidiosis
just above eye level can serve as a toy. Several protozoa known as coccidia cause
Penn State Extension. a rapidly advancing, often fatal disease called
www.extension.psu.edu/poultry- coccidiosis in very young and developing birds.
cannibalism-prevention-and-treatment Nine strains affect poultry.
Coccidia exist everywhere outdoors and are
carried and sometimes transmitted from wild
keeping at first, just to be safe. Average 10 birds or other chicken flocks. While its possible
square feet of housing per bird in an outdoor for adult chickens to contract coccidiosis, its
enclosure, and 3 to 5 square feet per bird for most common in chicks 3 to 5 weeks old and in
the coop (if the coop is used only for laying humid, warm and damp conditions.
eggs and safely roosting at night). Allow your Unfortunately, the mortality rate of coccidiosis
birds to free-range on pasture, if possible, and is very high. Its most easily diagnosed by blood
more often than not. Letting chickens be chick- in the stool, but at that stage of development, the
ens and demonstrate their natural behaviors disease is almost always fatal, and the bird will
grazing, hunting for bugs, dust bathing and not live long. Chicks with coccidiosis will show
preening in the sun are the best ways to pre- signs of droopiness, crouching with feathers ruf-
vent cannibalism, because it basically comes fled, little or no appetite, and slow or no growth
about from boredom. in the early stages of the disease.

JILL LANG/SHUTTERSTOCK
KATHY SHEA MORMINO
Damp Good sanitation is a crucial preventative
conditions measure against coccidiosis. Keep chick brood-
can lead to ers clean, dry and free of excess droppings.
coccidio- Expose chicks gradually to any existing adult
sis, signs flocks to build their systems tolerance to
of which the protozoa that live naturally in their envi-
include ronment. This is important of birds born in a
blood in hatchery and shipped to new surroundings.
the stool Prevention also includes administering a
(right). vaccine on the first day of life. However, there
are some caveats. Vaccines must be given only
on the first day of life to be effective, and the
inoculations cover only six of the nine strains.
Treatment for coccidiosis includes a medica-
tion called amprolium, and surviving birds are
rarely as strong as birds that never contract
Coccidiosis
the disease. Amprolium given in the drinking water
for three to five days is a common treatment
Conjunctivis for coccidiosis Realize, however, that no
The signs of conjunctivitis are clear, but you anticoccidial is effective against all the dif-
must look closely at the bird to read them. An ferent strains of coccidia and that, over time,
affected bird will avoid sunlight and attempt to coccidia can become resistant to anticoccid-
rub its eyes with its wings. The eyes can appear ial drugs.
cloudy, or they might water, later becoming Mississippi State University Extension.
crusty with discharge. Blindness follows in http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/
progressed cases. Mortality varies among birds publications/coccidiosis-backyard-chickens
and flocks, considering the initial and overall
Conjunctivis
The most common eye
irritant in intensive animal pro-
duction systems is ammonia gas
[which is] extremely irritating to
the membranes that line the eye-
lids, eyes, sinuses and trachea.
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of
the conjunctiva (membranes that
line the eyelids) and the exposed
sclera (white part of the eye).
Affected birds have reddened,
swollen eyelids, and are sensitive
to and avoid light. If high ammo-
nia levels persist, the cornea, the
outermost part of the front of the
eyeball, becomes ulcerated and
blindness may occur.
University of Florida
IFAS Extension.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps031
health of the hens. It some cases, it

resembles a respiratory disease.
Thankfully, conjunctivitis is
not contagious, but it is environ-
mental, meaning sanitation and
healthy management practices
are paramount to preventing it.
Dusty and dry conditions can
exacerbate it, but its often caused
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!
by the buildup of ammonia fumes www.facebook.com/hobbyfarmschickens
in flocks confined to coops or
enclosures without adequate air-
flow and thus are rather damp.
Prevention is to replace soiled and
wet litter with dry and clean bed-
ding, and allow the flock adequate
outside time to pasture.
T
hank you for joining us on
this first installment of our
yearlong health series, and
be sure to check in on the upcom-
ing March/April issue for ailments
beginning with letters D (for diges-
tive) and E (for egg-related). Until
then, stay healthy.
Kristina Mercedes Urquhart is the

author of The Suburban Chicken:
The guide to keeping healthy, thriv-
ing chickens in your backyard. She
lives with her husband, menagerie of
animals, and two daughters near the
mountains of Candler, North Carolina.
Between the Lines
In part one of this three-part series,
we look at breeding chickens.
By Kristina Mercedes Urquhart
hicken breeders usually fall Starting with a related pair or trio (two
C
into one of two categories: the hens and one rooster), the birds are care-
serious/dedicated breeder, fully bred in isolation, and the resulting
often with the goal of pre- chicks are thoughtfully monitored and
serving rare breeds, or the culled as necessary (more on culling later).
backyard hobbyist, interested in the fun This method of breeding is a complex,
and experience of hatching chicks. Each long-term project not for the faint of heart.
approach has vastly different goals, so the Only true breeders, passionate experts
means to each end have few similarities. on their breeds, will take on this method.
The former requires diligent work, patience They will perfect it to produce birds up to
and good record keeping. The latter is often the breeds standard, a written description
a hands-on learning experience, with a lot by the national breed club of how an ideal
of fun and experimentation along the way. member of the breed should look and act.
Each has merits, and the breeds we know The best way start professionally
and love today wouldnt be what they are breeding a particular strain is to source
without a bit of both. a breeder who has diligently worked on
a particular line and buy a pair or a trio
Linebreeding from that individual. Novices should avoid
The most common method of breed- raising breeds with traits that might lead
ing chickens is called linebreeding. to severe health impairments if not moni-
Linebreeders aim to improve stock and tored properly, such as short-legged breeds
carefully maintain rare breeds. Linebreeding and those with ear-tuft genes and frizzles.
is, to put it directly, scientific inbreeding. Often, breeders will not sell hatching eggs
Welcome to The Hatch, a three-part series that will

take you from breeding to the brooder. Look for upcoming
installments in the March/April issue (incubation) and
May/June issue (brooding) of Chickens magazine.
D.MAGE/SHUTTERSTOCK
MICMACPICS/SHUTTERSTOCK
,
WK
/-
----&y

Breeding for specific breed traits means working with the written standard
for that breed.
for this purpose; there are many occurs, how a hens eggs are fer-
unknowns, and the birds that hatch tilized and which eggs to hatch.
might not be up to standard for A good place to start is Poultry
breeders. Genetics For Small and Backyard
Once youve found your source Flocks: An Introduction by Jacquie
(and, we hope, a mentor), you Jacob of the University of Kentucky
might have to wait a significant Extension (http://articles.extension.
amount of time to receive your org/pages/65363/poultry-genetics-
birds. Be patient! It will be worth for-small-and-backyard-flocks:
the wait. Breeders can be quite -an-introduction).
particular about who they send Sourcing your pairs or trios from
their birds home with, so you might a reputable breeder and prob-
encounter an interview process to ably paying quite a bit for them
qualify as a buyer. should be the last thing you do.
A project of this magnitude Have everything ready once you get
requires a lot of preparation. Youll them home. Proper breeding also
need to do a lot of research on means having the right housing:
poultry genetics. Knowing what Your pair or trio will need separate
will happen if you breed hen A to housing from any other chickens
rooster B is paramount to your suc- you keep. Most breeders using these
cess. Its also important to know techniques wont allow the hens
the anatomy of chickens in general, to sit on the clutch, hatch the eggs
particularly their reproductive and raise the chicks herself, so you
details, including how mating will need incubating equipment
Counting Your Chickens
Are you ready to expand your flock and considering incubator, of course, as well as a safe brooder box in which
hatching your own birds? Do you have a single-breed to raise the chicks, complete with a proper heat lamp.
flock with a rooster, or are you curious to see what
your crossbred chicks will look like? As long as youre Hatching with a Broody Hen
prepared to care for the resulting chicks, it can be an When youre ready for new chicks, watch your hens
enjoyable experience. Also, realize that chickens hatch at closely. When you notice one is broody, assess her temper-
a roughly 50/50 female-to-male rate, so have a plan for ament and potential to raise chicks. Not all broodies make
those unwanted cockerels, which will start crowing in excellent mothers; thankfully, those breeds prone to broodi-
four or five months. ness also usually happen to do great at rearing young.
Here are some other tips to help you get started in Immediately move your mama-to-be to an isolated
one of two ways. broody pen. This space should be a secure enclosure, safe
from predators. Design it so that shes comfortable with
Hatching in an Incubator warm, soft, dry and relatively dark nest boxes, and consider
When hatching chicks in an incubator, you can deter- the spaces capability of housing chicks. An adult flock will
mine the timetable and choose the time of year. Rather than almost inevitably kill chicks that are released into the coop
relying on a broody hen, collect the fertilized eggs you wish with them. Dont take any chances. Isolate the broody hen
to hatch over the course of a few days when youre ready. through the duration of her incubation and until the chicks
Youll need to add equipment to your arsenal to hatch are the size of adults and fully feathered. Only then should
chicks this way if you dont have it already. Youll need an they be combined with the rest of the flock.
Ask for Red Lake Earth at your local farm and feed stores.
Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Registered to add to animal feed
GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe)
OMRI listed for use in all organic production
To find out how Red Lake Earth

What does OMRI listed mean?
can benefit your flock, visit O
F
OMRI the Organic Materials Review Institute evaluates input

E
www.absorbentproducts.com or OD D
-GRA materials to see what products are allowed for use in organic
contact us at 1-800-667-0336.
production. The OMRI seal provides instant recognition that a
w w w. a b s o r b e n t p r o d u c t s. co m product has passed OMRI's technical review and is compliant
with organic standards. To be sure that a product is suitable for
organic use, organic producers, gardeners and certifiers check
the OMRI Products List to ensure compliancy.
STEFANO CARELLA/SHUTTERSTOCK
If youre not and brooder space and gear to care for the but who want to expand their own flocks,
looking to young birds. many possibilities exist. The blanket term
improve a Linebreeding with trios and pairs is a metic- flock-breeding method covers multiple
breed and ulous process, but it makes selective breeding approaches, including isolating a few of your
just want possible under controlled mating environ- hens with a particular rooster and hatching
to expand ments. Your goal will determine whether this chicks from the birds kept in your flock as they
your flock, is the right breeding path for you. are. Of course, chicks hatch only from fertilized
you can use eggs, so if you dont have a rooster, your hens
the rooster Flock-Breeding Method eggs will not be fertile and will not hatch. You
and hens For chicken keepers not interested in show- might be surprised at how many non- and new
from what- ing their birds (see Show & Tell on page 50) chicken-keepers dont realize that.
ever breeds
you already
have.
VALERIA VECHTEROVA/SHUTTERSTOCK
Many backyard poultry-keepers dabble in chicks, in many cases. What traits you remove
breeding by hatching fertilized eggs in an incu- from your breeding program are entirely sub-
bator. This requires a bit of planning (finding jective: Your choices rely heavily on the breed
and sourcing fertile eggs from a breeder), some youre working with, the traits you want to see
investment in equipment (an incubator and flourish and those you want to diminish.
a brooder), and some knowledge on rearing There are many ways to go about breeding
chicks and their particular needs. your birds and many reasons to make any series
Another and probably the most common of choices. Most importantly, the breeder takes
way hobbyists become novice breeders is responsibility for the birds he or she brings into
noticing when a hen goes broody and letting the world. Make sure that caring for additional
her raise the chicks. Going broody is the hens birds is within your budget. If you plan to cull any
urge to remain on the nest unmoved, with the birds, have homes in place for those birds before
intention to hatch eggs. Some breeds, such breeding. Also, prepare housing for the largest
as Cochins, Orpingtons and Silkies, are more number of chickens possible; that way, youre
prone to this behavior than others. never short on space when the time comes.
The Importance of Culling

B
reeding your own chickens is an exciting,
For those aiming to refine a breed standard rewarding activity that can expand an
and save a rare breed, culling is essential. existing hobby or spark a lifelong pas-
Culling is the process of weeding out birds that sion. If this has piqued your interest, start your
exhibit undesirable traits. Culling is not synon- research and get hatching!
ymous with harvesting, however. You can also
cull a bird from your breeding program by put- Kristina Mercedes Urquhart is the author of The
ting it with the other nonbreeding birds, giving Suburban Chicken: The guide to keeping
it to a friend or rehoming it in another way. healthy, thriving chickens in your backyard
For better or worse, the best breeders are (2015). She lives with her husband, menagerie of
ruthless in their culling practices. They cull animals, and two daughters near the mountains of
often and early when their birds are still Candler, North Carolina.
O O
S O D

Reinforce your chicken run
to make it safe from predators.
Article and photos by Lisa Steele
nless you have a dedicated livestock guardian for your flock, its only a mat-
ter of time before a fox, coyote, raccoon, hawk or even a neighbors dog runs
across your free-range chickens and gets a free meal. Building a secure pen
or run is your best bet for keeping your chickens safe during the day,
especially if no one is home. While most predators roam at night, plenty
hunt during the day, especially at dawn and dusk. It takes only one predator, one
time, to lose an entire flock.
However, confining your flock to a run can be more dangerous, unless you ensure
that its predator-proof. At least in a free-range situation, chickens under attack can
fly to a tree branch or hide under a bush or behind something in the yard. Locked in
a run, they have nowhere to go if a predator breaches the pens perimeter. Building a
sound and secure run is critical.
Here is a sample list of materials we used to
secure our chicken run.
1-by-6 boards
2-by-2s
2-by-4s
3-foot rolls of 1-inch welded wire fencing
3-foot rolls of 12-inch welded wire fencing
4-by-4 fence posts
concrete mix
door handle
exterior paint
hinges
plywood
spring-loaded eyehook
U-shaped nails
wood screws
To make
sure her
chickens
were safe
during the
day, Steele
construct-
ed a run
(above),
with secure
posts
(right) and
a pergula
(opposite
page).
Game Strategy combination. You should not use chicken wire.

When my husband and I moved to Maine Despite its unfortunate name, chicken wire isnt
from Virginia, I realized that in addition to the really good for anything in the coop or run. A
foxes and hawks that we mostly worried about raccoon, fox, mink or dog can rip right through
in the South, we could now add coyotes, fisher it, and mice, snakes and weasel can slip through
cats, bears, minks, weasels and eagles to the the holes. It also rusts fairly quickly. Chicken wire
predators that might come nosing around our is best left for fencing in your garden or landscap-
chicken coop. We needed to take every precau- ing, separating two groups of chickens during the
tion possible when building a pen for our birds. integration period or doing craft projects.
Of course, our chickens are locked in their coop Our run measures about 16-by-40 feet, much
at night, but they needed to be safe during the larger than we needed for our mixed flock of
day in their run as well. two dozen chickens and ducks, but its best
Depending on the type of predators causing to allow as much space for them as you can.
concern, you might use chain-link, 1-inch welded However, you can adapt the following instruc-
wire or 12-inch welded wire for the fencing, or a tions for any size pen.
FORGET TO CLOSE THE COOP AGAIN?
WHEN WILL YOUR LUCK RUN OUT?
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Stadium Construction dirt to really pack it into the holes. ZLWK EUDVV SLYRWVQR ZRRG
First, we measured how big we We temporarily attached pieces of Battery 6WDWXV /LJKW
wanted the run to be found a loca- scrap wood to support the posts 3KRWR VHQVRURSWLRQ
tion. We laid down 2-by-4s to map until the concrete set and used Charging options: Y EDWWHU\
out the size. We planned to allow a level to make sure the posts all ZLWK VRODU SDQHO RUFKDUJHU
8 feet between the side supports stood straight. 1R VZLWFKHV WRIDLO QRVWULQJ WR
to reduce the amount of cutting, Once the concrete had set, we EUHDN QRSODVWLFDUPV
as most boards come in 8-foot screwed 16-foot 1-by-6s across the %8,/7 72 /$67 )DVW6KLSSLQJ
lengths. My husband used the trac- top of the run to further secure the Many IHDWXUHV RWKHU GRRUV ZLVK
tor to scrape a trench around where posts and then removed the sup- WKH\ KDG
the perimeter of the run would be port boards. At this point, we ran 7KUHHVL]HVDYDLODEOH
so we could sink the fencing into a length of rope across the tops of 6WDUWLQJDWRSWLRQV
the ground. Plan on the fencing the posts to make sure they were
going down 8 to 12 inches into the all the same height and used a
ground and curving outward a bit hand saw to trim those that were a
to keep predators from digging bit too tall.
underneath. Alternatively, you can It was then time to nail up the
fill the trench with rocks or stones fencing. We started at the bottom
to prevent digging. Because we with 12-inch welded wire. Using
have lots of rocks in the soil, we did anything larger wont keep out
a combination of both. small predators such as snakes or
Next, we marked off 8-foot mice, so for the bottom 3 feet, we
lengths and dug holes for the fence chose 12-inch. We nailed the fenc-
posts. We then positioned a post ing to the posts with heavy-duty
in each hole, poured concrete mix U-shaped nails. ZZZFKLFNHQGRRUVFRP
KL N G
and water in the holes, then refilled Once we had the bottom roll of
them with dirt and stomped on the fencing on, we screwed 2-by-4s
Steele used
across at the midpoint, securing them to the that we used for part of the top of the run. We
birch trees
fence posts. Then we got the top half of the planned a sort of pergola-style roof at each end
that had
been cut side fencing nailed up and attached 2-by- of the run for appearance. Plus, it keeps larger
down ear- 4s along the top. For the top 3 feet, we used predators from climbing up the side and get-
lier instead 1-inch welded wire, mostly as a cost con- ting in, and it prevent hawks or eagles from fly-
of lumber sideration. Using 12-inch on the whole run ing in. It still allows in some sunlight, though,
as center would be the most predator-proof choice, but while being sturdy enough to hold up to Maine
supports because this is just a day run, the 1-inch is snowfall in winter. For extra predator-proofing,
for the run fine, less expensive and easier to cut and work use 1-inch welded wire across the entire top of
for added
with. It should keep out all predators except the run.
strength
maybe a small weasel. For the pergola top, we cut the ends of each
and a little
decoration. You can use 1-inch fencing for an entire run, 2-by-2 at an angle and then screwed them to
but to err on the side of caution, we instead the top support boards. We spaced them about
used the 12-inch for the bottom. Raccoons will 2 inches apart, using a scrap of 2-by-4, at each
reach through fencing to try and pull chickens end of the run. In the center area, we used fenc-
through, and while raccoons are not normally ing across the top. Because we get a lot of snow
out during the day, it can happen. We used any in the winter and because the run needed extra
leftover pieces of fencing in the trench, and we supports in the middle, we used some birch
screwed 2-by-6s along the bottom to secure the trees that we had cut down earlier instead of
fencing and finish off the bottom. lumber as center supports for the run.
Next, we built a solid roof over the part of
Odds and Ends the run adjacent to the coop. This provides the
Next, we painted the exposed wood with chickens a sheltered area for when it rains or
exterior paint and cut and painted the 2-by-2s snows and a dry place for me to put their feed
and dust bath. We built a wooden frame that Steele
attached to the side of the coop at one end and (above)
to the center support board at the other end added a
and then screwed two sheets of plywood to the spring to
There are several types of fencing options frame. We covered the plywood with a piece the door
for coops and runs. of plastic sheeting to keep it from rotting. We (above left)
plan to shingle the roof in the future, but at to make it
the least for now, its functional and keeps that close auto-
Pros: inexpensive, easy to cut and work with area of the pen dry. matically.
Cons: not predator-proof, rusts quickly I left one section at the end of the run for
Best Use: garden fencing last. It was time to install the door I had built
using 2-by-4s and 12-inch welded wire. Using
hinges, I fitted the door into the frame we
Pros: inexpensive, easy to cut and work with had constructed. I also added a spring to the
Cons: not predator-proof hinged side so the door would automatically
Best Use: pasturing poultry swing shut behind me. For the latch, I used
a spring-loaded eyehook to prevent the door
being opened by a wily raccoon. Raccoons are
Pros: keeps out large predators notorious for sliding deadbolts, lifting latches
Cons: difficult to reconfigure or change the and turning knobs. A spring-loaded eyehook or
size, wont keep out small predators latch with a carabineer is the best type of latch
Best Use: for runs when bears, coyotes or large for your run door.
does are a concern
I
t has been more than two years since we
finished building our run. In that time,
Pros: keeps out all but the smallest predators other than a mouse digging underneath
Cons: can be expensive and popping up in the run looking for food
Best Use: run fencing and a raven hopping down into the run after
perching on one of the pergola boards, the run
has proven to be a safe place for our chickens
Pros: keeps out even the smallest predators to spend their days. Heres hoping your run will
Cons: difficult to cut, hard to find in large rolls be as safe and sound for your flock.
Best Use: vents and windows in coop, bottom
part of run Lisa Steele is the creator of Fresh Eggs Daily (www.
fresheggsdaily.com) and the author of several books
including Gardening with Chickens and her
Pros: good for large areas and large predators newly released childrens book Lets Hatch Chicks!
Cons: can be expensive A fifth-generation chicken-keeper and master gar-
Best Use: added layer of security around fenc- dener, she lives on a small farm in Maine with her
ing; pasture poultry husband, two dogs, indoor/outdoor barn cat and
assorted flock of chickens and ducks.

IN THE KITCHEN
recipe and photo by Eva Kosmas Flores
Baked Curry
Chicken C racklings
C racklings are a Southern appetizer that

traditionally consists of pork skin thats
deep-fried until crispy and puffed. These
cracklings are baked rather than fried, which
reduces the greasiness that fried cracklings tend to
PREPARATION
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking
sheet with parchment paper.
Take a piece of chicken skin and lay it flat on the
cutting board. Use a blunt knife to scrape the excess
have. It also ensures a nice and crispy crackling as fat off the skin. Set the skin aside on a paper towel,
does scraping off as much of the excess fat from the and repeat until all the chicken skin has been cleaned.
underside of the skin as possible. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, rosemary,
This helps dry out the skin while its baking and garlic powder and curry powder until combined.
makes a nice crunchy chip rather than a chewy Place the chicken skin on the baking sheet, leaving
one. The baked cracklings are tossed in a garlic and about 1 inch around each piece. Sprinkle with half of
rosemary curry seasoning mixture that makes them the spice mixture. Place another sheet of parchment
even more savory and that much more of an addic- paper over the chicken skin and another baking sheet
tive appetizer. But their enjoyment isnt limited to on top of it to keep the skin from curling up as it cooks.
snacking, they also make a great crunchy topping Bake for about 40 minutes, until the skins are crisp
for sandwiches and wraps, and make for a savory and golden brown, rotating the pan 180 degrees once
gluten-free crouton substitute in salads. This recipe halfway through cooking.
calls for 1 pound of chicken skin, which you can Use tongs to move the chicken skins to a large
either get from a butcher or acquire through saving plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
and freezing raw chicken skin as you use the meat of Transfer to the serving plate, sprinkle with the
the bird. remaining spice mixture and serve.
YIELD: 2 servings
Recipe from Adventures in Chicken:
150 recipes from the creator
INGREDIENTS
of AdventuresInCooking.com
1 pound chicken skin by Eva Kosmas Flores.
34 teaspoon kosher salt Copyright 2016 by Eva Kosmas
12 teaspoon dried rosemary Flores. Used by permission
12 teaspoon garlic powder of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
12 teaspoon curry powder All rights reserved.
GIVE THE GIFT OF
CHICKENS!
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Or Call 888-556-2893
Before you enter your showgirl
in Best of Breed, check out an event
to see how its done.
By Kenny Coogan
P
oultry has mesmerized me since childhood. Every
year, my parents would drive more than three hours to
Syracuse for the New York State Fair. I loved to study
the birds in the two-story showroom for so long that
my parents would take turns watching me, as the other
explored the fairgrounds. When I was about 16, I had the privilege
of staying in an RV for the week of the county fair, where I cleaned
show cages, gave the daily presentations on how to give a chicken a
bath and watched the judges as they analyzed the birds.
With more than 25 show tag abbreviations, hundreds of breeds
(each with its own varieties) and men in white coats, poultry shows
can be overwhelming for a layman who has never entered the ring.
If you dont raise birds for show, attending an event is a great way
to network, discover new breeds, add fresh bloodlines and get your
questions answered by experts.
Get the Show on the Road

In addition to state and county fairs, a variety of clubs host poul-
try shows. Finding the closest show to you can be a challenge, but
PoultryShowCentral.com lists exhibitions by state and region and is
a good place to start. Depending on what organization is sponsor-
ing the show, the poultry could include large fowl (standard) and/
or bantam chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowl and turkeys. Some
shows also include pigeons, although they arent unanimously con-
sidered poultry.
BECKER1999/FLICKR

Weeks The shows I attended while growing up in AOSB. Each breed also has a written standard,
before Western New York were always in the spring developed by the national breed clubs, which
your show, and fall, which equated to cold and wet. the judges use to score birds. The standard is
you should Dressing appropriately for the show is crucial. the book that all exhibitors and judges use as
train your Wear layers that you dont mind getting dirty. the guide for all breeds of standard poultry. It
birds to be When you return from a show, disinfect your depicts a perfect example of a breed show look
accustomed footwear before attending to your home flock the ideal shape of the body, comb, face, eyes,
to being so you dont track in disease. Bagging shoes tail, weight, color and so on.
in a cage before entering your vehicle for the ride home The standard is what you should reference
and han- is a proper biosecurity measure. Always wash if you want to improve your flocks chance of
dle them a your hands after handling animals, too. winning shows.
few times Before leaving the house, dont forget your The birds [in APA-sponsored events]
each day camera, notepad and pen, a few carrying cases are judged using the American Standard of
as a judge and money for purchases. You never know Perfection, says John Monaco, president of the
would. what youll find. Most shows last a whole day, APA. It has been published continuously by
while those in larger venues last two. Many the APA since 1874. It has all the color and type
clubs sell food and beverages to raise money to descriptions for all standard breeds of chick-
support the organizations. ens, waterfowl, turkeys and guinea fowl.
The original standard had 46 breeds and mul-
Show Stoppers tiple varieties. It was 102 pages, compared with
What makes the ideal Wyandotte or Rhode the current standard, which is around 400 pages.
Island Red? Judging what seems like an end- The American Bantam Association publishes
less line of identical chickens appears to be its own bantam (miniature chicken) Standard
a daunting task. But the poultry judges have of Perfection, which is the standard by which all
help from several national organizations and licensed ABA judges judge the bantam classes
publications. in all ABA-sanctioned shows. There are an esti-
The American Poultry Association is the mated 350 ABA-sanctioned shows held annually
oldest livestock organization in North America, in North America. Since 1914, the ABA has repre-
LEE CANNON/FLICKR
founded in 1873. It places exhibition large sented bantam breeders and their interests. The
fowl in one of six classes: American, Asiatic, ABA standard gives full descriptions of 57 breeds,
Continental, English, Mediterranean and Any 85 plumage patterns and more than 400 varieties
Other Standard Breed, sometimes shortened to of bantam chickens and bantam ducks.
The key to doing well at shows
is to buy quality birds
from reputable breeders.
John Monaco, American Poultry Association president
SHOW ABBREVS.
A tag on a birds cage at a poultry show can
look like a bunch of letters that mean nothing,
but each abbreviation has a specific meaning.
AOCCL = All Other Combs Clean Legged

AOSB = All Other Standard Breeds
AOB = Any Other Breed
AOV = Any Other Variety
B, BT, BTM = Bantam
BB = Best of Breed
BV = Best of Variety
C = Cock
Ch. = Champion
Cont. = Continental
DQ = Disqualification
H = Hen (female older than 1 year)
K = Cockerel (male younger than 1 year)
LF = Large Fowl (a standard size chicken)
Med. = Mediterranean
OT = Old Trio (two hens and a cock)
P = Pullet (female younger than 1 year)
RCCL = Rose Comb Clean Legged
RB = Reserve of Breed (second place of breed)
RC = Rose Comb
RV = Reserve of Variety (second place of that
feather coloring)
SCCL = Single Comb Clean Legged
SC = Single Comb
SF = Standard Fowl (a full-size chicken)
KENNY COOGAN (2)
WF = Waterfowl (ducks and geese)

YT = Young Trio (two pullets and a cockerel)
During your visit to a show, study the tag-
abbreviated comments on the birds cages, so
after the judges have gone through, you can
see how they rated the birds on their age, sex,
breed and breed characteristics. In the Standard
of Perfection for each variety (color), it will spe-
cifically say the colors judges should look for
in each sex. Black with greenish sheen, bluish
black forming a wide distinct bar across wing,
or dull black stippled with golden brown are
three specific examples.
First-time poultry show attendees should
just relax and observe, says Karen Unrath, ABA
secretary. The selection of breeds and varieties
can be overwhelming. Walk the showroom with
an open mind.
She also says to arrive early, as there will be
judging throughout the day. Most times, the
areas that are being judged are closed off to
foot traffic so you may have to work around
the judging to view all the birds throughout the
day, she says.
Many shows dont charge admission, or if
they do, its usually minimal, so its a great day
of fun that fits everyones budget.
Judging a Winner
Just like a single-elimination sport tour-
nament, where teams are placed on brackets
which represent a series of games to be played,
When the different poultry categories compete with one
judging is another to make it to champion row.
over (right), First, all the birds within a breeds variety
many of the vie with one another. For example, the best
birds will White Cochin cock (male older than 1 year),
be for sale hen (female older than 1 year), cockerel (male
(above). younger than 1 year) and pullet (female young-
er than 1 year) are chosen.
Then, those four are judged against each
other to be awarded the Best Variety.
The BV-winning White Cochin is further
judged against the other variety winners of its
breed Cochin colors recognized by the APA
are Buff, Partridge, White, Black, Barred, Silver
COURTESY MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION; DALE McNEILL/FLICKR
Laced, Golden Laced, Blue and Brown to win

the status of Best of Breed.
Because a Cochin is an Asiatic breed, it then
competes with the other breeds in its category
Brahmas and Langshans before it can compete
with the best American, English, Mediterranean,
Continental and AOSB.
The champion standard then contends with
the champion guinea, turkey, waterfowl and ban-
tam to be judged for overall grand champion of
the show and reserve (second place) champion.
Monaco recommends that first-time poultry
show visitors observe all the different breeds
and varieties. There are hundreds to look at,
COURTESY MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Youth
programs
allow kids
to get
involved
in poultry
raising and
showing
at an early
age.
he says. Dont be afraid to talk to the exhib- announced, so are the fanciers. To keep the
itors and the breeders, most are willing to show focused on the birds and to prevent
answer any questions. human biases, the show tags will have only a
In my experience, everyone is friendly and number and not the exhibitors information.
eager to talk about their birds, why they love After the prizes have been awarded, many
them and how you can get started. They will fanciers will go through and place business
also share secrets and tips, such as on groom- cards or contact information on the show tag
ing and genetics. to advertise their breeds. If you want to meet
someone but dont know who he or she is, ask
Thats Show Business the show secretary, who is often sitting at the
The key to doing well at shows is to buy front of the show or entryway.
quality birds from reputable breeders, Monaco If you do come home with new birds, quaran-
says. If you are under the age of 18, get tine them for at least a month before introducing
involved in the youth programs that are avail- them to the rest of the flock. Disinfect cages and
able. It makes for a much more enjoyable and equipment with household bleach and water,
rewarding experience. with a ratio of 34 cup bleach per 1 gallon of water.
Unrath says to prepare well, wash your birds
S
approximately one week before the show, howing poultry is not just competing
groom your bird clip nails and beaks, shine for awards. It is also about breeding
feathers, clean legs and feet and just relax. to improve a breed or variety, Monaco
Every person showing birds at the show is says. It is a great hobby for all ages. From the
hoping to win, she says. However, we all younger members to senior citizens, there is
know that there is only room for one top bird, something for everyone at a poultry show.
so learning and enjoying the hobby along the Unrath agrees. Attending a poultry show as
way is critical. a competitor or even a visitor is a great expe-
At the show, dont miss the showmanship. rience, she says. There is lots of excitement
The youth program will include kids impressing and lots of opportunities to join in. Whether
the judges with handling skills, general poultry you just want to observe or compete, the end
knowledge and specific breed facts. result is usually a great day with great people
As the show wraps up, hopefully youve and beautiful birds.
entered the general raffle with the chance to
win feed, poultry products, chicken-themed Kenny Coogan, CPBT-KA, is a pet and garden col-
apparel and possibly live birds. Hang out umnist. He shares his 1-acre permaculture home-
in the sales area until the end as many of stead with ducks and chickens. Search Critter
the venders will discount their stock. Now Companions by Kenny Coogan on Facebook to learn
is the last time to network. As winners are more about poultry as pets and gardening.

UP TO
Scr atch
Supplementing your chickens with a little
scratch throughout the year can be beneficial
to their health and state of mind.
By Deb Brandt
S tanding at the snack bar in a local urban feed store looking at

an assortment of specialty grains might leave you scratching
your head. Which are best for your hens? How much should you
offer to your flock on any given day? And what mixture is nutri-
tionally sound?
Chickens scratch the ground every day searching for seeds, insects and
other tasty treats. Offering them scratch grains, such as cracked, rolled or
whole grains (corn, barley, oats or wheat), stimulates that behavior while
providing them with added food resources. Scratches are a source of men-
tal and physical stimulation particularly during the winter months when
weather conditions reduce the presence of natural treats such as insects,
grass and seeds. Understanding the content of scratch mixes can help you
determine what to choose from the buffet at your local feed-supply store.
A word of caution: Scratch grains are not meant to be the primary source
of nutrition for your flock. Think of scratch as a limited treat something
hens enjoy but should not consume in large quantities. Feed mixes are nutri-
tionally balanced resources your hens need for healthy living. They contain
nutritional elements including calcium and protein that support growth
and egg production. Chickens need those resources much more than tasty
scratch offerings that they will inevitably enthusiastically eat.
MALINKA GALINA/SHUTTERSTOCK
Its not Diet Matters source of food a small flock receives. Scratches
necessary According to Laura Harper, owner of The are always treats, and understanding their con-
to feed Urban Chicken store in Raleigh, North Carolina, tent can improve the health of your birds.
scratch the average hen eats about a quarter pound of
grains food a day. Scratch should make up only about Cold-Season Scratch
(above) 10 percent of that. Any more will affect their During winter months, cracked corn is a
to chickens nutrient balance. good addition to any scratch recipe. Cracked
that receive Scratch is so low in protein that it doesnt corn is a high-energy carbohydrate made of
a com- support hen health, Harper says. starch and sugars. Chickens love it. Fed before
plete diet. As with humans, too much of a good thing dusk on cold days, the corn provides a thermic
However, isnt necessarily a good thing. effect creating heat as its digested. This helps
scratch is a Robert Litt, owner of the Urban Farm Store in hens stay warm on long winter nights.
great treat Portland, Oregon, says chickens eat for energy,
and can and if you provide cracked corn with unfet-
provide
added
energy
tered access alongside layer feed, they will eat
all their calories in corn. And corn offers only
7 percent protein while prepared chicken feeds
Scr atch Advice DREAMER COMPANY/SHUTTERSTOCK; AMY KERKEMEYER/SHUTTERSTOCK
in winter offer 16 percent protein with corn in the mix. Here is what Dr. Jacquie Jacob, poultry
(above Chickens that are consuming too much extension project manager at the University
right). scratch can experience extended molts of Kentucky, says about chicken scratch, in
because of the low amount of necessary pro- Feeding Chickens for Egg Production.
tein. A lack of nutritional balance can also Scratch grains are like french fries; chick-
affect egg production and cause birds to ens that eat too many scratch grains have less
become unhealthily overweight. When hens of an appetite for more nutritious feed. If you
choose between their regular feed and scratch, are using scratch grains, feed them to chick-
the feed lingers untouched in feeders, attract- ens in the afternoon after birds have eaten
ing mice and rats to your run. complete feed, and then provide only as much
With nutritional needs in mind, Litt and scratch grains as chickens can finish in 15 to
Harper educate people about the use and offer- 20 minutes.
ing of scratches. Scratches should not be the only
When hens choose between their regular feed
and scratch, the feed lingers untouched in feeders,
attracting mice and rats to your run.
Scratches can also help bored hens during Summer scratch can contain whole oats to
the wintertime. Cold months often limit hen help with heat stress, Harper says.
activity levels, keeping them inside the coop It, along with dried soldier fly larva, which
and more sedentary than during other seasons. adds calcium, is an excellent resource during
During these times, flocks become more dis- the peak egg production days of summer.
ruptive, pecking at one another when boredom Harper sees people mixing their own summer
sets in. Scratch provides mental and physical scratch blends by including flax seed and rai-
stimulation for a small flock. sins along with the whole oats. Hens that have
During the winter, I suggest that people some free-range time in a backyard each day
offer scratch in the form of a flock block or in gain the benefits of natures own scratch: new
a toy that makes the girls work harder for the grass, insects, seeds, weeds and more. These
food, Harper says. fresh local foods are great for flock health
Toys that require the hens to work harder to because hens must work hard to find them.
obtain the treats promote activity, fight bore-
dom and keep hens busy. Rather than picking Mix & Match
on one another, hens will puzzle out how to Litt and Harper offer their own special
get their favorite treats. blends of premixed, seasonally sensitive
scratches. Each shop owner also provides
Summer Scratch scratch bars with resources for customers to
GALITSIN/SHUTTERSTOCK
During the hot days of summer, eliminate corn make their own blends.
from scratch. Because corn stimulates metab- Harper suggests a wide range of ingredients
olism, it can cause heat-related stress for birds. when blending your own. She uses meal-
The summer is a time to add alternatives that worms, dried soldier fly larva, oats, barley,
provide nutrition, such as calcium and protein. wheat, flax seed which is high in omega-3

Scratch in for egg laying sunflower seeds, raisins, kelp health problems including weight gain, longer
winter (top) and a vitamin/mineral supplement. Harper molts and summer doldrums in egg production.
U.KLINGER/SHUTTERSTOCK; VLADIMIR VORONCHENKO/SHUTTERSTOCK
can provide also suggests making grit available on a free- Litt and his wife, Hannah (a nurse midwife),
some enter- feed basis. work to find natural resources for hens that
tainment promote better health and egg production. The
for your Scratch Cautions pair co-authored A Chicken in Every Yard (2011)
cooped- Chickens can like humans become and have researched the use of natural options
up birds, addicted to their favorite scratch food items. for feed and scratches. For instance, Hannah
while sum- Litt says that these hens become pushy, Litt discovered that black cumin (nigella sativa)
mer might grumpy and demanding, expecting and choos- seeds could support egg production and size.
be better ing available scratch over the feed they need The Litts offer it in a mash so that none of
served with for a balanced diet. the tiny black seeds are wasted. Their interest
garden Employ a tough-love approach; give hens lim- includes energy for hens. For instance, ama-
leftovers ited access to scratches, with their health and ranth is another scratch ingredient that can
(above). well-being in mind. Too much scratch can cause add protein energy.
O
Robert Litt noted that people often offer verall, scratches offer benefits in mod- Scratch
hens kitchen scraps, such as pastas and bread. eration; just like us, hens need care and should
These too have low nutritional value because attention when it comes to choosing not make
they dont contain much protein. Small meat a diet. Seasonal offerings can help your hens up more
scraps are a good protein option from the have successful molts in the fall and winter than about
kitchen table. and begin the spring and summer season with 10 percent
Some people have begun growing their good egg production. Experiment with creating of your
own scratch. This includes raising fodder by your own scratches by observing what your birds total
sprouting seeds that are fresh and inviting. hens do and dont prefer. daily food
STRUVICTORY/SHUTTERSTOCK
Litt suggests a windowsill fodder system. consump-

Chickens also like silage, fermented greens Deb Brandt grew up on a hobby farm with dogs, tion.
left from the summer season. Silage offers horses, goats and a rooster named Clarence. Today,
helpful probiotics that are partially digested she lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she grows
and enable chicken keepers to offer greens vegetables, has kept urban chickens and bees, and
throughout the winter. daily throws the ball for her Welsh corgi, Fenway.

Chicken
Chat | column and photos by Leigh Mackenzie
Hedy Advice
I first met Hedy while visiting my mother in
Colorado: The little spring chick huddled
with other chicks in a cardboard box at the
post office at 6 a.m. With a few other fluffy yel-
low birds bravely cheep-cheep-cheeping their
way into that first week of their lives, the post-
master gave my mom the straight run of fancies
she had purchased from a hatchery in Ohio.
I couldnt tell you which one was Hedy
then, honestly. She probably had a tiny tuft of
feathers atop her little head, like a good Polish
should. All the chicks were soft, warm and, lit-
erally, stinking adorable, surviving the long trip
from the Midwest to the Rocky Mountain State.
Back at my moms home, we carefully placed
the chicks in a large metal washtub filled with
bedding, with a heat lamp off to one side. A low
bowl of chicken starter and a watering con-
tainer, although starting pristine, were a mess
within minutes. Leigh Mackenzie watches Hedy and her sis-
ters peck around their Midwestern backyard.
Chicken Haul
By late fall, dear Hedy and her boxmates of her chickens. After consulting with my
were still growing and had been accepted into husband, we jumped at the chance. It seemed
my mothers much larger flock of 30. Hedy Hedy would head back to the Midwest. Driving
survived this transition and was becoming five chickens, two kids, two parents and a tea-
the beautiful young chicken she was born to cup poodle over four state lines in 15 hours, we
be. As I drove in from Illinois with my family made it home before midnight.
for Thanksgiving, my mom called and asked Backyard chickens are just beginning to
whether we would consider taking home some catch on in our area. Most people here have
Tell Us Your Story!

E mail the story of you and your chickens in 750 to 1,000 words to chickens@luminamedia.com
(subject line: Chicken Chat). Be sure to include high-resolution images or photos of yourself,
your chickens and/or your coop. The author of each issues published essay will receive a special
farm sign and T-shirt from Strombergs Chickens and Game Birds Unlimited (800-720-1134;
www.strombergschickens.com), which offers a selection of birds, books, supplies and
equipment for the breeding, rearing and management of poultry, ducks, guineas, waterfowl,
game birds, peafowl, pheasants, quail and doves!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER. Contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States or District of Columbia,
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See Official Rules on page 64. Void where prohibited by law. Sponsor: Lumina Media LLC.
never seen the exotic breeds like our Polish and Hedy (left)
are fascinated by our flock. Hedy, being a very is not at
tame Buff Polish with funny hair, as many the top of
kids call her headdress, is always someones the poultry
first hold in chickendom. While she is closer pecking
to the bottom of the flock pecking order, she is order; she
the highest attention-getter among humans. is more
Everyone loves Hedy, and she has been featured of a people
in many selfies and social-media posts with her person.
new human friends.
Last spring, we added three hens to our
existing five. They have been a wonderful addi-
tion, but the pecking order has been turned
upside down. Hedy used to be somewhere in
the middle with her old sisters, but now shes
at the bottom with the addition of the new.
Fowl Friends & Foul Weather

Living beside the Mississippi River, we have an
enormous variety of birds of prey, including bald
eagles, prairie falcons and red-tailed hawks. Lots
of old trees inhabit our area, too, so owls love it so much it looks like a down pillow exploded
here as well. Hedy and her flockmates have sur- in the coop. They resemble children who have
vived multiple air attacks. We always keep an eye taken scissors to their own hair without their
on the sky when they are free-ranging. momma knowing it. I have read that it can be a
Aerial assaults arent the only hardships for painful process to regrow pinfeathers, and my
our flock. Weather can be unpredictable, too. girls get easily agitated with one another.
Winter that first year was snowy and icy across During one molt, Hedy, with her majestic
much of the Midwest. Our backyard was no bouffant atop her head, had some real issues.
exception. But one warm, sunny morning, I left I guess it was a rough day in the coop because
the door to the coop open and my girls happily I found her with blood running down her beak
spilled out into the snow. and one eye sealed shut. Her pinfeathers had
Watching carefully and monitoring the yard, been broken off and part of her beak had been
I went about my day, occasionally checking in to pecked. The claw on her right foot had also
make my regular chicken count. Afternoon came, been dislodged and was bleeding. Once again,
and as I counted my girls, one was missing. It we carefully nursed her back to health. Sweet
was Hedy. I made a quick search of the yard Hedy was now blind in her left eye, but she did
to no avail. My son joined the search, and we relearn to walk, high stepping with her left foot
began to scour our property. in a somewhat comical way as she regained her
We finally saw dear Hedy on her back on the balance and perspective.
frozen stones between some patio furniture
W
that had been set on its side to weather the atching Hedy step forth bravely
winter. With superhuman strength, my son in spite of what she has lost gives
pulled away the heavy furniture, and I gath- me pause to think about my own
ered Hedy into my arms. life. Not only has Hedy lost her original home
My son began to sob, thinking his favorite and flock but also her position within ours.
girl was dead. We had no idea how long she Physically, she no longer has her straight tail
had been there. She was listless and cold. feathers, full eyesight, a toenail or even the
We brought her into the house and nursed ability to walk normally. However, she still
her back to health with warm blankets and walks about the yard, friendly to all, head held
a water-filled dropper. Her tail feathers from high. She knows that no matter what the other
then on were crooked, off to one side a little. chickens think of her, she is still her masters
But she did recover. In fact, it gave her even favorite. To me, she remains the beautiful bird
more personality to go with her beauty. she was born to be.
A Rough Molt Leigh Mackenzie lives with her family, chickens and
Molting time for my flock is awful. The ladies teacup poodle in Quincy, Illinois, and blogs at The
look pathetic, feathers drooping and falling off Church Girl Writes, www.leighmackenzie.com.

FULL SWEEPSTAKES & CONTEST RULES
SHUTTERCLUCKSPHOTOCONTEST(page68) CHICKEN CHAT ESSAY (page 62)

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Advertising Index
RS No. Advertiser Page No. RS No. Advertiser Page No. RS No. Advertiser Page No.
101 Absorbent Products Inc. .................................................. 3 112 Egg Carton Store, The .................................................... 72 128 Mealworms by the Pound .............................................. 41
(800) 667-0336; www.absorbentproducts.com (866) 333-1132; www.eggcartonstore.com (830) 331-2322; www.mealwormsbythepound.com
102 Absorbent Products Inc. ................................................ 39 136 Featherman Equipment ................................................ 38 122 Metzer Farms .................................................................. 35
(800) 667-0336; www.absorbentproducts.com (660) 684-6035; www.feathermanequipment.com (831) 679-2355; www.metzerfarms.com
135 ALLogic Inc. /AdorStore ................................................. 72 113 Formex Mfg Inc. .............................................................. 23 123 Meyer Hatchery ................................................................ 9
(832) 444-0192; www.adorstore.com (770) 962-9816; www.snaplockchickencoops.com (419) 945-2651; www.meyerhatchery.com
103 Alpine Structures ........................................................... 26 114 Goodwinol Products Corp. ............................................. 35 124 Murray McMurray Hatchery .......................................... 24
(330) 473-0664; www.alpinestructures.net (970) 573-1923; www.goodwinol.com (515) 832-1235; www.mcmurrayhatchery.com
104 American Bantam Association ..................................... 73 115 Gqf Manufacturing ......................................................... 27 125 Nite-Guard ...................................................................... 25
(973) 271-3335; www.bantamclub.com/aba (912) 236-0651; www.gqfmfg.com (800) 328-6647; www.niteguard.com
105 Brinsea Products Inc. ..................................................... 73 116 GreenFire Farms ............................................................... 5 126 Poultry Butler .................................................................. 27
(321) 267-7009; www.brinsea.com (866) 954-2968; www.greenfirefarms.com (724) 762-2507; www.poultrybutler.com
106 Cackle Hatchery ............................................................. 72 127 Happy Hen Treats ........................................................... 15 129 Sierra Sage Herbs ........................................................... 11
(417) 532-4581; www.cacklehatchery.com (800) 531-1097; www.happyhentreats.com (512) 738-7527; www.greengoohelps.com
107 Chicken Safe Inc. ............................................................ 24 117 Hen Saver ........................................................................ 72 130 Standlee Hay Co. ............................................................ 18
(662) 385-5888; www.chickensafe.com (800) 980-4165; www.hensaver.com (208) 358-4108; www.standleehay.com
108 Chickendoors.com ......................................................... 45 118 Hubbard Feeds ............................................................... 17 131 Strombergs Chicks & Gamebirds Unlimited ............... 19
(512) 376-0003; www.chickendoors.com www.hubbardlife.com (800) 720-1134; www.strombergschickens.com
109 DBC Ag Products ................................................... Cover 3 119 Ideal Poultry Breeding Farms Inc. ........................ Cover 2 132 Sweet PDZ Co. ................................................................ 13
(717) 509-5724; www.dbcagproducts.com (800) 243-3257; www.idealpoultry.com (800) 367-1534; www.sweetpdz.com
110 Dunlap Hatchery ............................................................. 38 120 Kreamer Feed Inc. .......................................................... 31 133 Sweeter Heater ............................................................... 73
(208) 459-9088; www.dunlaphatchery.net (570) 374-8148; www.kreamerfeed.com (715) 651-9757; www.sweeterheater.com
111 Easy-Garden ................................................................... 72 121 Manna Pro Corp. .................................................... Cover 4 134 TDL Industry Inc. ............................................................... 7
(417) 649-7277; www.easy-garden.com (636) 681-1709; www.mannapro.com (406) 702-4665; www.roosterboosterproducts.com
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General Store
Bring the chickens inside with rooster, hen and chic(k) dcor.
By Sarah E. Coleman
1
3 4
1. Keep makeup handy in stain-resistant, chicken-print Large Cosmetic Bags, or bring charm to the kitchen with a Rooster and Hens
Pot Holder Set. $16, per cosmetic bag, three print choices; $13, one pair of potholders. Fluffy Layers, www.fluffylayers.com 2. Squeeze
the handle of this Pecking Roosters Classic Tin Toy and two roosters take turns pecking into the white bowl. $3.98. Tin Toy Arcade,
www.tintoyarcade.com 3. This handmade, wearable Henny Penny and Tale of Chicken Little Story Book Pendant will remind you
that the sky is not falling. $9.50 (without chain). The Pendant Emporium, www.etsy.com/shop/thependant emporium 4. Purina
Layena Plus Omega-3 helps hens produce eggs with up to five times as much omega-3 as store-bought eggs. Prices vary. Purina Mills,
www.purinamills.com 5. Update any room in your home with Lisle Grey Roosters and Script Wallpaper decorated with a weathered
script of colorful roosters. $5 for an 8-by-10-inch sample. Home Depot, www.homedepot.com 6. All-natural, nontoxic, biodegradable
Healthy Pen protects coops, stalls and barns from unwanted winter guests, including spiders, fleas, mites and other arthropods. Prices
vary. Carefree Enzymes, www.carefreeenzymes.com 7. This weatherproof, self-locking MKII Hentronix Auto Door Opener specifi-
cally made for Snap Lock coops opens just after dawn and closes just after dusk; includes a rechargeable battery and charger; and is
shipped from the U.K. $238 (shipping extra); The Clever Coop Co., www.theclevercoopcompany.com 8. The 100 percent All Natural
Green Goo Poultry First Aid Kit is made from plant-based ingredients and includes Castile Poultry; Poultry Bugs Be Gone; Poultry
Respiratory Care and Animal First Aid. $24.95. Sierra Sage, www.greengoohelps.com

Winner! KERR MEEK Moore, Oklahoma
SHARE YOUR PICTURES!

Email us an image of your chicken(s) to chickens@luminamedia.com with the subject line
Shutterclucks, and include your name and mailing address.
Well send one person two security lights from Nite Guard Solar (www.niteguard.com),
which scare the wits out of night predators including coyotes, foxes, hawks, owls, raccoons,
skunks, weasels and more.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER. Contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United

States or District of Columbia, age 21 or older. Entries must be received between 12:00:01 a.m. PT on 11/28/2017 and
11:59:59 p.m. PT on 1/28/2018. See Official Rules on page 64. Void where prohibited by law. Sponsor: Lumina Media LLC.
Gavin Hill Deborah Manning Juanita Hering
Andersonville, Tennessee Rathdrum, Idaho Trenton, Georgia
Nichole Medley Joyce LaConte Diane Zlogar Nafis

Lead Hill, Arkansas Chipley, Florida Chews Landing, New Jersey
Rachel Dickson Abbie Paay Haylee Shultz

Delta, Ohio Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Sulphur Springs, Texas

Poultry
Science | by the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis
Breeds 101
C hickens are quirky social creatures, and
compared with other farm animals, they
are relatively easy to raise and dont
require large amounts of space. In addition,
chickens provide fresh eggs, and their meat
Ornamental Appearances
Ornamental breeds are usually bred because
of their interesting looks and not so much
because of their high egg or meat production.
COCHIN While these hens are not the
serves as an inexpensive source of high-quality best layers, averaging only two eggs per week,
protein. For all these reasons, its no wonder why they have remained a favorite among backyard
backyard chickens are becoming increasingly poultry enthusiasts because of their unique
Rhode Island popular again in the U.S. curved necks and short but fluffy tails. This
Reds (below) Whether you want to show chickens or raise breed is also hardy in the winter, adjusts well
are a great them for eggs, meat or both (so-called dual- to confinement and is known for its friendly
dual-purpose purpose chickens), there is a breed right for you. and peaceful demeanor.
heritage This column provides a brief overview of some POLISH The large crest of feathers at the
breed. common backyard poultry breeds and helps you top of its head and v-shaped comb make this
identify what characteristics to consider when bird special. However, Polish dont make very
Ameraucana choosing your next backyard birds. good layers. Specifically, on average, hens will
lay medium- Keep in mind that we generalize each breed lay two typically tiny eggs per week. At 4 to
sized eggs here. There are, of course, outliers. For example, 5 pounds in weight, Polish also dont make for
in various while you might have an ornamental breed that very good meat birds. Nevertheless, they are
shades produces six eggs a week, this is not a common docile, friendly and quiet.
of blue result. Hence, we focus on common outcomes so SILKIE The Silkie is easily recognizable
and green poultry enthusiasts can make the best decision because of its black skin, hairlike feathers and
(below right). for their own backyards. head puff. While it is a smaller breed, weighing
ANNA HOYCHUK/SHUTTERSTOCK
GARRETT HEATH/FLICKR
SPONNER/SHUTTERSTOCK
TERESA OTTO/SHUTTERSTOCK
just 2 pounds, it produces an average of three

small eggs per week. However, its sweet, friendly
and fun personality has made it popular among
backyard poultry-keepers. The Silkie is often
considered a good breed choice for families with
children. (Note: The U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention recommends that
children younger than the age of 5 should not
handle chickens due to the risk of contracting
pathogens such as salmonella by touching chick-
ens and then touching their faces and mouths).
All About Eggs

If your main interest is to have fresh eggs
daily, here are some egg-cellent layers.
AMERAUCANA On average, this hen will
produce three medium eggs per week in vary-
ing shades of blue and green. Additionally, it their eggs are usually a cream or tinted color. Welsummer
has a sweet and gentle disposition in combina- Lakenvelders are not especially docile. chickens
tion with hardiness in the winter and an ability (above left)
to adjust well to confinement. If you dont Broiler Bests make for
have the option of letting your chickens roam In general, all Cornish crosses are productive good dual-
on pasture and you live in a colder region, this broilers (otherwise known as meat birds). purpose
bird is worth considering. CORNISH While these birds can grow to flocks,
ANCONA This hen lays a whopping aver- 8 pounds or more in as little as six weeks, while Polish
age of five large eggs per week. Similar to the they dont make very good layers. On average, (above)
Ameraucana, the Ancona is hardy in the winter. cornish hens produce one small egg a week. are fun to
However, it prefers large spaces and tends to Nevertheless, they are hardy in winter and do exhibit.
be more active and flighty, preferring to avoid OK in confinement, though they tend to be
humans. Therefore, if being able to socialize with flighty around humans.
your chickens is important to you, and you cant
them free-range, consider another breed. Meat and More
LAKENVELDER Similar to Ameraucanas, If you want a bird that is suitable for the
Lakenvelders lay about three medium eggs table and productive as a layer, youll want a
per week. However, unlike the Ameraucanas, dual-purpose breed, such as one of the following.

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While these breeds are supposed THE FARMERS MARKET
to be good at laying eggs and put-
ting on the pounds, they wont be
as superproductive as the breeds
solely focused on egg laying or meat
production. However, as the name
dual-purpose implies, they can be
pretty good at both.
RHODE ISLAND RED This
breed is a favorite among backyard
poultry enthusiasts. It really seems
to have it all. Rhode Island Reds
are rapid growers and heavy set
weighing an average of 7 to 8 pounds
while also being productive layers,
producing five extra-large eggs a
week. To top it off, they do well in all
sorts of climates and in small hous-
ing areas and tend to be easygoing.
WELSUMMER These hens can
produce about four large eggs per
week while being able to maintain
a body weight of 6 to 7 pounds. As Celebrating 40 years of incubator design
an added bonus, these hens do OK
Brinsea the world leading incubator manufacturer is adding
in the winter and can easily adjust
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to confinement. Much like Rhode
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Island Reds, Welsummers also tend All with 3 year warranty.
to be social and friendly.
WYANDOTTE This breed lays NEW
around four large eggs per week. range
However, their bodies are a bit
heavier; reaching an average weight
of 7 to 8 pounds. They also adjust
well to the winter. While they are
usually friendly to their fellow peeps,
they do like to be the dominant one. Free
Color
For more information Catalog www.brinsea.com
www.brinsea.com
C
hicken breeds differ dramat-
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ically. Therefore, consider
what is important to you
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when selecting breeds. If your chick-
ens are comfortable not too hot
'RQW %H /HIW LQ WKH &ROG &DOO
or cold they will produce more

eggs and better meat, and they will
be healthier, too. In the end, research
what your chickens need and what
you have to offer. That will go a long
way toward ensuring your flock is
happy and productive.
Myrna Cadena is a graduate student

in avian sciences at the University of Safest Specific Area Radiant Heater on the Market
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Best of Cluck
Photo Contest ENTRY
DEADLIN
APRIL 9,E
2018!
Here it comes again:

our annual photo contest!
T
o honor you and your beautiful birds,
weve put together another great photo
contest that allows you to win some
awesome prizes. We are again offering
five categories to enter: Cutest Chick,
Best Coop, Best Hen, Best Rooster and Best
Group. See the following pages for more infor-
mation on these categories and how to enter.
How to Enter
First, read the official rules on page 76. Then,
take a digital photograph, using a digital camera Cutest Chick
or smartphone set at its highest resolution. (Check Sponsored by Manna Pro (800-690-9908,
your owners manual if you arent sure how to www.mannapro.com) and Harris Farms
do this.) All digital files must be in JPEG format. (www.harrisfarmsllc.com) poultry hard goods.
The minimum size at 300 dpi is 3-by-5 inches. Assignment: Oh, those little balls of fluff! Chicks
To submit your digital photograph, email make great models. Theyre just so cute! Send us an
it as a JPEG file to chickens@luminamedia. image of your chick(s) that will make us smile. It can
com, with the subject line Best of Cluck. be a solitary shot or several peeps together. Just
In the email, include the category you are make sure well melt when we see it.
entering, your name, your mailing address, What You Could Win: A Harris Farms 2-hole
your phone number and any thing else youd Nesting Box (approximate value $60) with front and
like to share, such as the name of the bird(s), back panels, made from rust-resistant galvanized steel
what you like best about keeping chick- with folded edges and ventilation holes and featuring
ens, etc. Just keep it to 100 words or less. a hinged perch to allow
You may enter all five categories, but you closing; a quick-filling
may enter only two digital photographs per and easy-cleaning
category. If you are entering multiple cate- Free Range 10-pound
gories, you must email each digital image Feeder ($23), made
separately, and each email must have all the from lightweight and
requested information. Due to the amount of durable plastic, for
entries, we will not be able to respond to emails. feeding 15 to 25
Only the winners will be notified. Enter now: birds; and a easy-
As always, we wish you the best of cluck! fill, easy-clean Free
KRISTI METTLER (CUTEST CHICK 20117)
Range 312-gallon
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER. Contest is Drinker ($23), which
open to legal residents of the 50 United States and
District of Columbia, age 21 or older. Entries must be can accommodate
received between 12:00:01 a.m. PT on 1/1/2018 and up to 56 chickens or
11:59:59 p.m. PT on 4/9/2018. See Official Rules on game birds.
page 76. Void where prohibited by law. Sponsor:
Lumina Media LLC.
Best Coop Best Hen
Sponsored by Sweet PDZ Sponsored by Brinsea Products (www.brinsea.com)
(www.sweetpdz.com) Assignment: Send us a pic of your favorite hen doing
Assignment: Send us an what she does best, be it posing on the roost, loung-
image of your chicken-coop ing on the nest or
setup. The photo can be of strutting her stuff
the coop interior or exterior, down the chicken
with or without chickens in it run(way).
What You Could Win: What You Could
$100 worth of Sweet PDZ Win: A Mini II Eco
Products. Sweet PDZ is Manual Turn 10 Egg
the pioneering brand and Incubator (retail
the leading stall, coop and value: $130), the
pet-habitat deodorizer on the market smallest egg incu-
today and has been for more than 34 bator on the marke
years. All-natural, perfume-free and cer- with precise pro-
tified organic (OMRI) granular mineral, portional electronic
its pet-, people- and planet-safe. Sweet temperature control and fan-assisted air circulation
PDZ neutralizes and captures for reliable hatching results of a wide
ammonia and odors through range of species. Comes with a tem-
a unique mineral process, perature factory preset and external
makes a great amendment to water top-up and offers all-round
compost and gardens, and is visibility of hatching eggs, great
proudly made in the U.S. for beginners or children.
REBECCAH RAINEY (BEST COOP 2017); TRACE FROST (BEST HEN 2017); RACHEL BUCHANAN (BEST GROUP 2017); AMY LYNNE (BEST ROOSTER 2017)
Best Rooster Best

Group
Sponsored by
Rooster Booster Products
(www.roosterbooster
products.com) Sponsored by
Assignment: Do you Goodwinol (www
have a cocky rooster that goodwinol.com)
likes to have his picture Assignment:
taken? If so, snap away Take a photo of a rooster and hen snuggling, a hen with
and send us an image of yo g her chicks, hens gossiping or your flock free-ranging.
What You Could Win: $100 worth of Rooster What You Could Win: $100 worth of products from
Booster Products, the most trusted name in poultry Goodwinol, including VetRx and LeGear Pig Swig. VetRx,
health for 20 years. Rooster Booster Products enhance originally known as STB, has been a trusted name in
and promote good health in all classes of poultry and poultry care for more than 50 years. Whether dealing
fowl. They are dedicated to helping your flock achieve with hundreds of chickens or two, always have VetRx
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and condition Pig Swig
and have Piperazine
been thor- water
oughly wormer
tested on the can be
farm and in used on
the backyard pigs as well
and show pen as chickens.

Best of Cluck Photo Contest Official Rules
Sponsor/Entry Period: Enter purpose, including advertising for Conditions: Entrants agree to the
between 12:00:01 a.m. Pacific Time Sponsor or others without further con- Official Rules and the decisions of the
(PT) on 1/1/2018 and 11:59:59 p.m. PT sent or payment to you or any other Sponsor, which are final and binding.
on 4/9/2018 (Entry Period). Sponsor: person or entity. The Entry may be Entrants release, defend and hold harm-
Lumina Media LLC, 5151 California Ave., published and posted online, but you less Sponsor and companies providing
Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92617. agree that Sponsor has no obligation to prizes from any and all liability whatso-
Eligibility: Open to legal residents of post or publish your Entry and that such ever against Sponsor and companies
the 50 United States and D.C., 21 years posting or publication has no bearing providing prizes arising out of Entrants
or older. Employees of Sponsor are not on whether you are a winner. You will participation or use of a prize. Sponsor
eligible to enter. hold Sponsor harmless from any claim is not responsible for any error in the
How to Enter: Email your photo(s) by any third party relating to any rights printing of the offer, administration of
(Theme) to chickens@luminamedia. in your Entry. the Contest or the announcement of
com, with the subject line Best of Winner Selection: Five potential any prize or in the event Sponsor is
Cluck and include the category you Winners will be selected by Sponsor prevented from continuing the Contest
are entering, your name, your mailing from all eligible entries received during by any event beyond its control. Entries
address, your phone number and any the Entry Period. The odds of winning that have been tampered with, altered
other information youd like to share are determined by the number of eligi- or generated by an automated device
about the photo. You may enter all five ble Entries received. are void. Sponsor is not responsible for
categories, but you may enter only two Judging: Judging consists of two lost, late, illegible entries or delay, error
digital photographs per category. If rounds of evaluation. In round one, or interruption in transmission of Entries.
you are entering multiple categories, editors will select five entries from Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify
you must send each digital photograph among all eligible entries based on the any Entry or terminate the Contest if it
separately, and each email must have following criteria (Judging Criteria): (1) becomes technically corrupted and/or
all the requested information. One Creativity: 50 percent; (2) Photographic select winners from among all eligible
entry per category/per person/email/ Quality: 50 percent. The entries selected Entries received prior to termination. If
household. in round one will proceed to round two. there are not enough qualified Entries
Requirements of Entry: Entries must In round two, editors will collectively to qualify as Finalists, Sponsor reserves
meet the following requirements and you select a winner for each prize level the right to select less than the number
represent and warrant and agree that: based on Judging Criteria. In the event of Finalists listed in these Official Rules.
Your Entry was created by you or of a tie, the tied entries will be resub- In the event of any complaint alleging a
you have the rights or received prior mitted to the Judges for a rejudging violation of any third-party right relating
permission from any person involved between the tied entries alone. In the to an Entry, Sponsor reserves the right
in its creation or any person depicted event that a tie remains after rejudging, to disqualify the Entry. By participating,
in the materials and you have the right the entry with the highest score in the Entrant acknowledges that Sponsor
to use the Entry, and all elements of creativity criteria will be declared the does not waive any rights to use similar
the Entry, and can grant the license winner. Decisions of the Judges are final or related ideas that might be contained
granted herein; and binding. in an Entry. Any and all claims in connec-
The Entry does not contain any Winner Notification: Potential tion with the Contest must be brought
prominent use of third party trade- winners will be notified on or about in a court within the State of Delaware
marks, trade names, brands or logos; 5/1/2018 via the email address they and the all disputes will be governed by
The Entry does not depict any provide at entry. If a winner doesnt the laws of the State of Delaware and
individual other than the Entrant; respond within 72 hours, the email is shall be resolved individually, without
The Entry does not defame or undeliverable (sent three times over resort to any form of class action. BY
otherwise violate the rights of any third five days), if entrant is ineligible or PARTICIPATING, ENTRANT HEREBY
party; and doesnt accept the prize, the prize will WAIVES ANY RIGHTS OR CLAIMS
The Entry can't be offensive or be forfeited and the next runner-up will TO ATTORNEYS FEES, INDIRECT,
contain any elements such as nudity, be selected. Acceptance of prize consti- SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL
graphically violent imagery, sexually tutes permission (except where prohib- OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF
suggestive imagery or be explicitly ited by law) to use each winners name, ENTRANT, WHETHER FORESEEABLE
racial, profane, slanderous or visually city and state where winner is located OR NOT AND WHETHER BASED ON
depict alcohol or gambling or be and likeness for promotional purposes NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE.
contrary to the interests of Contest without further compensation. Winners List: For the names of the
or Sponsor, as determined in the sole Prizes: The prizes to be awarded and winners, mail a self-addressed, stamped
discretion of the Sponsor. the approximate retail value (ARV) envelope to Sponsor at Chickens mag-
Grant of License: By entering, you will be disclosed on pages 74-75. azine, 470 Conway Court, Suite B-6,
grant Sponsor the perpetual, fully Winners are responsible for any taxes Lexington, KY 40511.
paid, irrevocable, exclusive license to on prize. No substitution or cash equiv- Privacy: Information you submit
reproduce, distribute, license, display alent permitted, except by Sponsor. will be subject to Sponsors Privacy
or otherwise use throughout the world Prize is nontransferrable. One prize per Policy found at www.luminamedia.
your Entry in any manner for any person/household. com/privacy.
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Featuring...
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Chickens Gallery January/February 2018 CHICKENS 77
78 CHICKENS ChickensMagazine.com Chickens Gallery
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www.chickenscratchpoultry.com
COUNTY LINE HATCHERY Best assortments. SUBSCRIBE TODAY

Chicks, ducklings, goslings, turkeys, guineas,
peafowl, hatching eggs. 319-350-9130; rranch@
iowatelacom.net; www.countylinehatchery.com Or call 800-456-6049

LAST
Squawk
Winter is the time for comfort, for
good food and warmth, for the touch
of a friendly hand and for a talk beside
the fire: It is the time for home.
DAME EDITH SITWELL (1887-1964), BRITISH POET
OLGA V SOKOLOVA/SHUTTERSTOCK
Healthy birds
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Help promote optimal digestive health and support a functioning immune system in times of stress and during severe intestinal
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throughout the year.
Zyfend A, is part of the Backyard Chicken Health Pack, a three step, all natural solution to promote bird health by helping maintain
a healthy digestive tract every day.
Healthy Flock DBCAgProducts.com

Prepare your Flock
For the coming cold
Molting season is nearly upon us, and it can be a stressful time for many
chicken breeds. This year, ease the transition by fortifying your ock
with the essential amino acids and protein found in Calf-Manna
performance supplement. This multi-species supplement is a longtime
favorite of farmers and ranchers; many have been feeding Calf-Manna
to their chickens for decades. They enjoy seeing their
ock recover more quickly from the effects of molting,
and being able to maintain their weight during the
winter months. You will, too!
&OR3PECIAL3AVINGS&OLLOW 5S ON &ACEBOOK AT-ANNA0RO(OMESTEAD


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PREDATOR-PROOF ENTER THE BEST OF CLUCK WINTER vs.

THE ESSENTIAL JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

CHICKENSMAGAZINE.COM CHICKEN CAF

20 Coop Shopping 101

74 Enter Our Annual

contest that allows you to win some

January/February 2018 CHICKENS 1

EDITORIAL ADVERTISING SALES

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40612608.

to: IMEX Global Solutions, P.O. Box

Circle No. 116 on the Reader Service Card.

Pure Marans Mature

The Biggle Poultry Book

IMAGES COURTESY INTERNET ARCHIVE BOOK IMAGES/FLICKR

JUST A CLUCK AWAY...

We know you love your chickens, so we have

Food for Thought

Kitchen Food Waste

A child and a treasured pet are

NUTRITION FOR LIFE . Its in our nature.

Circle No. 118 on the Reader Service Card.

Circle No. 131 on the Reader Service Card.

Consider your wants and needs as well as the wants and

Circle No. 113 on the Reader Service Card.

Chicken Safe, Inc. 662-385-5888 good choice, he says.

To Protect Your Property From Night Predator Animals

Circle No. 125 on the Reader Service Card.

For Sale: Used Coop

Circle No. 103 on the Reader Service Card.

I actually put mine together by Automatic Coop Door

together, only needed a few tools,

To Mod a Coop 6WDUWLQJDW 

Cherie Langlois is a freelance writer and

ailments. Sick birds might show mild symptoms or be so severely

Avian Influenza into the swollen area. Otherwise, the abscess

inside out and ends up on the out-

vent and worsen the situation.

Prevention is important but cant

much fat in their diets can accumu-

in subtle as well as overt ways daily. If a rooster

Bumblefoot The previous few paragraphs might paint

Prevent egg-eating by collecting eggs daily

January/February 2018 CHICKENS 33

health of the hens. It some cases, it

Kristina Mercedes Urquhart is the

Welcome to The Hatch, a three-part series that will

Circle No. 110 on the Reader Service Card.

Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth

To find out how Red Lake Earth

OMRI the Organic Materials Review Institute evaluates input

The Importance of Culling

Circle No. 128 on the Reader Service Card.

Game Strategy combination. You should not use chicken wire.

January/February 2018 CHICKENS 47

C racklings are a Southern appetizer that

GIVE A SUBSCRIPTION TODAY!

Get the Show on the Road

January/February 2018 CHICKENS 51

AOCCL = All Other Combs Clean Legged

WF = Waterfowl (ducks and geese)

Laced, Golden Laced, Blue and Brown to win

January/February 2018 CHICKENS 55

S tanding at the snack bar in a local urban feed store looking at

To Mod a Coop 6WDUWLQJDW

&OR3PECIAL3AVINGS&OLLOW 5S ON &ACEBOOK AT-ANNA0RO(OMESTEAD