Category: Backyard farming

While protein is a critical nutrient for egg formation and overall hen health, scientific studies show that a higher protein percentage isn't always better for laying hens. Finding the optimal balance is key to ensuring consistent egg production and avoiding health complications in your flock.

Many modern backyard chickens, unlike their free-ranging ancestors, are at a higher risk of obesity due to sedentary lifestyles and overfeeding. This excess weight can lead to a host of serious health problems, decreased egg production, and a shorter lifespan.

Overfeeding chickens can lead to obesity and other health issues, so it's vital to be mindful of their diet. While chickens will eagerly consume it, bread offers very little nutritional value for chickens and should only be given in very small amounts as an occasional treat.

According to several poultry experts, almonds can be a healthy, protein-rich treat for chickens when prepared and served correctly. The important distinctions to remember are that plain, unsalted almonds are safe, while wild 'bitter' or salted varieties are highly toxic.

Despite being a popular and enjoyable treat for backyard chickens, most commercial chicken scratch contains little to no calcium. Understanding the stark difference between these energy-dense grains and a nutritionally complete layer feed is crucial for the health of your flock and the strength of their eggshells.

According to the USDA, an egg cannot legally be labeled 'organic' without undergoing a specific certification process. This means that backyard chicken eggs, while often raised in a natural and humane way, are not considered truly organic by official standards, regardless of the quality of care they receive.

Did you know that standard eggs contain only about 50 mg of omega-3 fatty acids, mostly as ALA? To significantly increase this amount, the secret lies in adjusting your flock's diet, as a chicken's nutritional intake directly impacts the fatty acid profile of its eggs. By enriching your chickens' feed, you can easily get more omega-3 in eggs.

According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, sleep disturbances can contribute to stress and lowered immune function in chickens. If a chicken is sleepy more often than usual, it can be a sign of illness, stress, or other issues like poor nutrition or external parasites.

Live poultry, including backyard chickens, can carry *Salmonella* germs even when they appear healthy and clean. Understanding this risk is key to knowing if it is safe to eat backyard chicken eggs, and what essential precautions to take to prevent foodborne illness.