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Chickens, and all other species of animals that live in social groups have a dominance hierarchy—a pecking order. How do individual members of a flock figure out the pecking order? How does the pecking order work? What can you do when the pecking order in your flock gets completely out of whack?
Sulfur shelf mushrooms (aka chicken of the woods) thrive in my woods and in forested areas across much of the United States and beyond. And they are delicious! With its savory profile, chicken of the woods can easily stand in for chicken in a variety of recipes, adding depth and heartiness to any dish. It goes without saying that chickens everywhere support this substitution!
This year, as always, I’ve read a whole stack of books with a chicken theme or connection. As is my tradition, I’ve narrowed down that stack to a short list of favorites. Here’s the list along with some commentary. If you chose to move any of these gems onto your reading list, don’t forget to look for them at your local bookseller. If they’re not on the shelves, your bookseller will happily order them for you!
Do your chickens have worms? If you keep multiple generations of chickens on the same plot of ground for a number of years, like we backyard flock-keepers do, then yes. Your chickens are probably harboring worms. What should you do?
Q: Why did the chicken tell an entire ridiculous elephant joke to the very end? A: To get to the other side.
You’ve probably heard it more than once: “The chicken is the closest living relative to T. rex.” And, sorry, but that is a misleading statement. Birds are the closest living relative to T. rex. All birds. Not just chickens. Birds. How did this crazy half-truth got started in the first place? I tell the whole tale right here.
A few years ago, I wrote an article about the dino/chicken connection. It has proven to be one the most popular posts on my blog. But ever since I took the time to research and write that article, I’ve been sensitized to the continuing drumbeat repetition of the half-truth of that “The chicken is the closest living relative to T. rex.” The time has come, I’ve decided, for me to do what I can to set the record straight. And while I’m at it I’ll delve into how this crazy half-truth got started in the first place.
New rules governing organic eggs have just been put into effect. The old rules were riddled with loopholes that some large producers of “organic” eggs slithered through in order to sell their eggs at high organic prices while underhandedly maintaining their flock in subpar, inhumane conditions. In this interview with Very Finest Organic Eggs CEO John Barn, we discuss the new rules, the old rules, the loopholes, slithering and underhandedness. Some would say this is the very, very best interview that’s ever been conducted.
Most roosters, and some hens, have spurs; spikey projections that grow from the inside of their shanks just above their toes. Spurs should be trimmed. Read this to learn more about spurs and to get some good practical information on spur trimming.
Are you confused about the merits or issues that surround giving yogurt and other dairy to poultry? Read this!
Here are my 2023 chicken-themed book picks! Whether you’re a seasoned backyard chicken keeper or simply fascinated by these feathery creatures, I think you’ll find something here to fascinate, educate, and inspire you.
Tove Danovich has written a heartfelt, personal account of her journey through process of becoming a backyard chicken owner.. But woven into that account is some excellent reporting: Behind the scenes at a chick hatchery, an Ohio poultry show, 4-H, chicken therapy, a Minnesota chicken rescue. Chicken-themed topics that I’ve never seen in print before. Under the Henfluence is, in my estimation, the best new chicken-themed book this year.
Chicken health advice from an avian vet! Topics include antibiotics, bumblefoot, euthanization, pain management, and scaly leg mites.
Most eggs sold in the US come from hens stuffed into cruel cages. As more and more people have come to realize how badly modern animal farming has gone off the rails, a number of organizations have emerged to shine a light on abusive animal husbandry practices and work to change cruel and inhumane animal farming systems. The Humane League (THL), one of the most effective of these organizations, is hard at work to get hens out of cages.
Chicken City will show you how steeped in history the chicken really is. Who would have thought that chickens have been around since the dawn of history. They have been worshipped, abhorred, adored, sacrificed, maligned, sentimentalized and idealized. Artists, musicians, authors, film makers, and even politicians have reflected on the chicken.
I researched the beginnings of chickens in Egypt and discovered that all evidence points to their arrival with the Persian conquest of 425 BC. But there’s a problem. There are ancient recorded instances of chickens clucking and pecking around Egypt before the Persians arrived. Way before! Thousands of years!
Egypt: The pyramids. The desert. The Nile. The chickens.
Yes, the chickens.
In 1323, an Irish friar named Simon Fitzsimmons traveled to Cairo. He was amazed by the sight of thousands of chickens in the streets of Cairo; pecking up grain that had fallen from the bags carried by passing camels.
In 2023 I traveled to Egypt. I was also amazed.
Perhaps there are some chickens that man was never meant to tamper with.
When people think of Polish chickens, they think of those elaborate, beautiful crests. Most people don't realize that Polish chickens also have “vaulted skulls.” Vaulted skulls are misshapen, with a large knob or vault sticking up from the top. A misshapen skull results in a misshapen, unusual, “hourglass” shaped brain. Vaulted skulls are often filled with holes. The only thing protecting parts of the chicken’s brain is a bit of skin and some feathers. Thus, chickens with vaulted skulls are vulnerable to brain damage. What are the genetics behind crests and vaulted skulls? And are these two traits connected?
