Nick is a chicken fan, writer, and an all-time chicken fanboy holding a master in engineering. He has a passion for chemistry and he loves running with his border collie that's protecting his flock.
Hens are fantastic egg layers with an efficient reproductive system to produce our daily eggs. Roosters, on the other hand, have a very simple reproductive system. It’s useful for any chicken owner to understand the basics of these miniature egg factories. Overview of the Chicken Reproductive System Hen Reproductive System Ovary Infundibulum Magnum Isthmus Uterus […]
Chickens have an ingenious respiratory system that is quite different from ours. Unfortunately, there are many respiratory diseases affecting backyard chickens. It can come in handy to understand how a chicken breathes, how the lungs and air sacs work, and why your chicken is panting when it’s hot. We’ll cover everything there is to know: […]
Vitamin K is an essential vitamin for the metabolism of chickens. It regulates blood clotting and bone health. Optimal values will improve egg laying and growth. But what are the optimal values? When should we be afraid of deficiencies, and how can we recognize them? And why should you care? Vitamin K for Chickens Types […]
Chickens love parsley. It’s a leafy herb, popular in many cuisines. Some people call it a superfood as it comes loaded with nutrients. But is parsley as innocent as it seems? Can it be toxic? Unfortunately, yes, it can be harmful. Pregnant women are even advised to avoid parsley altogether. Let’s see if feeding your […]
Chickens love shrimps and will fight for them. But how healthy is it to feed them shrimp? Should you consider it as an occasional treat? Let’s see. Can chickens eat shrimp? Shrimp nutrients Shrimp as poultry feed Effect of shrimp diet on egg-laying Effect of shrimp diet on growth Acid-Treated Shrimp Meal How to serve […]
Chickens can lay eggs in all colors, including white, brown, blue, green, and even pink. But how do the eggs get this color? And how much is genetically defined? Scientific research added a lot of insights in the last decade. Let’s have a look at egg color and explore chicken genetics. How does an egg […]
As a breeder, you have a couple of possible ways to set up for selective breeding. They all come with their own advantages and trade-offs. How are the genes passed? What are the pitfalls? What’s the best way of mating birds? Let’s discuss. Breeding and the Gene Pool Chicken Genetics Breeding Strategies Outcrossing Linebreeding Mating […]
Vorwerk chickens are a German breed with a beautiful black-on-gold pattern. Next to the large fowl, there is also a Bantam version with a European strain and a separate US variety. Let’s have a closer look. Eggs 170 eggs yearly Egg Color Cream Egg Size Medium Weight 5 – 7 lbs Hardiness Cold Temperament Active […]
Double yolk eggs are pretty rare but not very uncommon. They happen approximately in 1 in every 1000 eggs. This brings us to the following questions. How do these double yolk eggs happen? Are double yolked eggs fertile? Can you hatch double yolked eggs? And if so, will the twin baby chicks be healthy? Let’s […]
Chickens are shaking their head for different reasons. When head-shaking and scratching become more frequent, it can indicate an underlying condition. Should you be worried? Let’s find out. Why does a chicken shake its head? Chickens naturally shake their head from irritation. It’s usually something innocent like annoying flies, a difficult swallow, or water in […]
