Tag: Chickens

According to a 2013 study by the University of Bristol, chickens can exhibit self-control and are born with the ability to track numbers up to five, surprising many who underestimate their intelligence. This intelligence, combined with their unique personalities, makes chickens an enriching and educational pet choice for children and families.

Over 87 percent of all eggs produced in the United States are unfertilized 'table eggs' intended for human consumption. This means the eggs you typically purchase from a grocery store are not fertile and cannot hatch into a chick.

Candling eggs, once involving candle flames, is now a standard practice. Knowing how should you candle an egg is vital for monitoring embryo development and removing non-viable eggs to ensure successful hatching.

According to a study published in *Environmental Research*, lead was detected in the eggs from 98% of backyard chicken households tested in one urban area. This raises the critical question for many poultry owners: are eggs high in lead, and should consumers be worried? For commercially produced eggs, the risk is generally very low; however, for backyard eggs, the potential for lead contamination is directly linked to the lead levels in the surrounding soil.