Responsible Ownership
Being a responsible owner involves more than knowing how to take care of your birds. It also includes following your city’s regulations for poultry and being a good neighbor. This section will include:
Debunking common myths about bird ownership
Finding your city’s regulations about poultry ownership
How to sell your eggs
LATEST BLOG POSTS ON THIS TOPIC:
Sour Crop: The Name Says It All!
From the name “sour crop” you can deduce the anatomical location (aka the crop) and the smell (aka sour). What and where is the crop? The crop is a pouch (see Figure 1) just “south” of the esophagus, used for softening feed and temporary food storage in prey species (predator avian species typically do not have a crop) of birds including chickens. The purpose of the crop is to allow a bird to quickly swallow what food it can, store it in the crop, then fly to safety and digest the meal. Food enters the crop after exiting the
Don’t Judge your Chickens…Unless of course you are a Chicken Judge
Judging chickens is a fascinating skill that requires a keen eye, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of poultry standards. Whether you're a backyard chicken enthusiast or aspire to participate in poultry shows, knowing a little about the basic of poultry judging is a good skill to have. In this article, we will delve into the basics of judging chickens, providing a comprehensive guide for beginners to start their journey in the captivating world of poultry evaluation. If you really get interested in poultry judging, get in touch with your local 4-H and FFA chapters to start participating
Basic Health Assessment of Chicks
If you are purchasing and/or raising baby chicks, it is important to regularly monitor their health to ensure they are thriving. In this article, we will discuss how to make a basic health assessment of baby chicks. Appearance The first thing to look at when assessing the health of a baby chick is their appearance. Healthy chicks should have bright, alert eyes and clean, fluffy feathers. They should also be active and moving around, rather than huddled in a corner. If a chick appears lethargic, or has a drooping head or wings, or is standing with one leg tucked
Good Riddance to Rickets
Causes of Rickets Rickets in humans’ chickens and every other animal that gets rickets is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin D3, phosphorus, or imbalance between Calcium and Phosphorus. Of all these, a deficiency of Vitamin D3 is the most common, and that is often secondary to bad feed that has been depleted of fat-soluble vitamins including Vitamin D. Ultimately, rickets usually occurs due to improper nutrition which results in poor skeletal calcification. Signs and Symptoms In chickens, rickets typically causes soft and pliable or rubbery bones and beaks that appear deformed. You can see this and other clinical
What Exactly is 4-H???
First of all: what is 4-H??? 4-H is the largest youth development organization in the United States. It's designed to teach children a variety of skills between the ages of 8 and 18. Its set-up to be cost effective and flexible with respect to learning opportunities and meeting times. The overall goal of 4-H is to provide critical learning resources for kids and teens throughout the year by empowering them to be leaders using a learn-by-doing approach. The 4 H’s stand for Head, Heart, Hands and Health which represent the 4 values members work on through their programs. If
Preparing for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in SoCal: Tips and Resources for Backyard Owners
Our temperate winter climate is not only appealing to the estimated 39 million people that reside in California; it is also the perfect habitat for the approximately 6 million ducks and geese that migrate south in the fall and winter. This migration of waterfowl follows the “Pacific Flyway” which traverses Alaska to the southern tip of Chile. In addition to the birds, any diseases they may be infected with, including viruses, migrate south in the fall and north in the spring with them. One of the viruses that are endemic in waterfowl is Avian Influenza (AI). Unfortunately for our