A-Z ABOUT BACKYARD CHICKEN FARMING

What are backyard chickens or Free range chickens

Free-range chickens are birds that are provided regular access to the outdoor, with an abundance of sunshine, fresh vegetation, and room to maneuver.Federal ordinances forbid the use of hormones in raising pork and poultry. The animal’s organic forage cannot contain animal by-products, antibiotics or genetically engineered cereals. Also, the food must not be grown using tenacious pesticides or chemical fertilizers. It solely means that the chickens are permitted to wander freely and devour food that is native to their diet. Farming of such chickens is known as free-range chicken farming.

Young chickens experience fresh pasture and are not bound in any way.

Eggs laid by free-range chickens

The eggs produced by free range chickens have a much greater nutritional content than the eggs bought from stores. Free-range eggs carry double the amount of Vitamin E and six times the amount of vitamin A. They also contain limited saturated fat and four times the omega-3 fatty acids. The cholesterol content is half as much as eggs laid by hens raised in factories and shelters. If you consume the meat of free-range chickens, it considered much more nutritious than the meat of factory raised chickens.

Why free range chicken farming over traditional chicken farming?

There are several reasons why people go for free range chicken farming these days.

1. Supply of high-quality food

Free range chickens give you an unlimited quantity of high-grade food. Since these chickens are raised in a natural environment and not fed unwanted chemicals, the eggs laid by them are rich in nutrition, and their meat is also very healthy.

2. Little space requirement

Since these chickens wander in the open during most of the day, they do not require large spaces for living. An individual living in an apartment can also purchase a portable chicken coop and raise free-range chickens. All you need to do is take them out in the open for food, water, and the sunshine.

3. Low cost maintenance

Free-range chickens depend on natural vegetation for food and hence their maintenance cost is low. No chemicals or chicken food is required to raise them, resulting in limited spending.

4. Reduced transmission of diseases

Since the chickens are not caged together or held in a coop, there are minimal chances of them getting a contagious disease.

  Helpful tips for free range chicken farming

If you are planning to take the free range chicken farming route, here are some helpful tips for you:

1. Make sure you buy high-quality chickens from a certified farm or  dealer

The first and the most important step in free-range poultry farming is purchasing chickens from a certified dealer. Carefully examine the breed you want to raise and ensure that it is free of any disease.

2. Take good care of the chickens until they are mature.

Keep the chicks inside a brooder till they have reached a grown period where they are ready to be brought out into the open.

3. Build a protective fence around their roaming area

Design a fenced area where the chickens may wander freely. Ensure that you keep it reasonably high to prevent the entrance of domestic hunters like cats. It does not have to be big space, but make sure that it is sufficient for the numbers of chicks that you are raising.

CHICKEN EYESIGHT

As beautiful as chicken is,  and profitable as chicken business can be, we as a chicken owner's should know the information on chicken eyesight.

Chicken eyesight is amazing! These chicken can see better color than humans, they can detect and see light and color shades better than humans, chicken have three eyelids, they can move each eye independently and have a 300 degree field of vision without turning their head before the can see.

Chickens see the same way we do. Light comes in through the cornea and iris and then stimulates nerve endings in the retina at the back of the eyeball. One of the big differences, however, is that chickens have tetra-chromatic vision, while we have tri-chromatic. Chickens have four wavelengths (blue, red, green and ultraviolet light) while human can only have three (blue, red and green.)

Chickens’ color vision is different from human because they have colored filters mixed with nerve cells. They are like little drops of oil filtering out different wavelengths and act similarly to wearing yellow goggles.

The fact that chickens see an extra sector of the light spectrum means that everything they see looks different from what human see. We have no description or idea for how much ultraviolet light is reflected from any substance. Chickens also have better motion sensing ability than we do. This is good to know if you use or plan on using artificial lights in your coop. These lights flicker on and off at a rate above what we can see. This is very annoying to your flock and may cause them to start bullying .

Birds as well as other mammals have a structure called a fovea in their retinas. It basically is a small pit that, because of its shape, acts as an image enlarger. Chickens have two foveae, which act a little differently. One is for distant vision, and one is for close up. The interesting thing is that the up close one is oval and sideways and that’s why, when you approach your chicken, they will often bob their heads and tilt their heads sideways to get the image of you into a clearer view. Shockingly, chickens actually can’t really recognize flock members until they are within about 24 inches.

Now don’t go drawing any conclusions that chickens are the best seeing creatures on the planet! Chickens, like humans and other animals, are blind when its completely dark. We need color and/or light to see so when there is no light we cannot see. Chickens, however, are blind when it is not completely dark. Regarding this issue, since chickens are like zombies at night, it makes them highly easy target to predators at night.

Sometimes when we take a picture of our chicken we see that the chicken’s eye is hazy-looking. At first glance this looks like a glitch in the camera but actually, this is the chicken’s third eyelid called the nictitating membrane. The nictitating membrane is positioned next to the eyeball, underneath its other two eyelids and works independently from them. It operates by sliding from the front to the back of the eye. It has two purposes: cleaning and protecting. When a chicken takes a dirt bath, you will see the nictitating membrane appear. This is because it is protecting the eye from dirt entry. Another time you may see it appear is when your flock is sleeping. They sometimes don’t close their eyes completely and thus, the nictitating membrane covers the eye instead.
Don't forget, looks on your chicken eye can help to detect sickness in them.

HOW TO KEEP CHICKEN COOL DURING HOT WEATHER

During hot weather there some few simple little things that we do inexpensively to help keep our chickens healthy, happy, and comfortable during the hot weather.. The last thing that I want is for our chickens to suffer or get ill from heat exhaustion. That’s why learning how to keep your chickens cool in summer is so important for anyone who raises backyard chickens.

We live in an area where we are not only graced with hot temperatures during the summer, but we also have a lot of humidity. It can become very uncomfortable for not only human, but also our animals as well. The heats may be unbearable to our chicken if correct measure is not taking.

THESE ARE THE TIPS FOR KEEPING CHICKENS COOL DURING HOT WEATHER

1. Provide fresh cool water and change the water frequently, especially during exceptionally hot days.

2. Give your chickens some shade to hide out and stay cool. The shade will help the chickens to stay cool.

3.Ensure that the chicken coop/housing is well ventilated especially during hot weather

4. Avoid foods like corn, scratch grains or anything that is harder to digest during the hotter days. Since these types of foods are harder to digest, it creates more body heat for the chickens.

5. Provide frozen treats, such as, frozen water melon, grapes, or blueberries. I like to freeze cucumbers in these silicone muffin cups with water for a little summer time treat. These will helps the chickens to cool their temps.

6. Other frozen food ideas: freeze fruits, veggies, and a little bit of herbs with just a little amount of water in these silicone muffin cups. Then, I’ll chop it up a little to create a simple slushy treat.

7. Create a chicken piñata by using a head of iceberg lettuce (big on water content) and hang with some twice. It creates fun entertainment for the chickens, too!

8. Fill a kiddie pool with just a couple of inches of water for chickens to cool off in. Chickens can’t swim, so only a couple of inches is needed.

Most chickens don’t like the water, but there are a few of ours that enjoy the kid pool.

Remember, to much heat can make your chickens sick and it can lead to death.

TEACHING CHILDREN HUMILITY

How to teach your children humility

1. Give praise when it is truly deserved.
If your children score well on a school test, commend them  if she get a low grade , do not automatically blame the teacher. That for actual accomplishments.

2. Give correction when necessary. This does not mean that you should criticize your child for every mistake. But serious error should be corrected , the same can be wrong attitudes. Otherwise, these may become more deeply ingrained.

3. Encourage your children. Prove to your child that, there is more happiness in giving than receiving.
You and your children can prepare a list of people in need of help with transportation, or repair work. Then
take your children along as you assist some of them. Allow your children to see your joy and satisfaction as you care for the needs of others. That way you will teach your children humility in the most powerful way.

4. Prepare your children for life's realities. Indulging a child's every wish can cause him to feel entitled. for example , if your child wants something you cannot afford, explain why it is necessary to live within a budget . if you have to cancel an outing or a vacation , you could explain that disappointments are part of life and perhaps discuss how you deal with such disappointments. Rather than shield your children from every hardship, prepare them for the challenges they will face as adults.

WHAT MAKES A MARRIAGE , A MARRIAGE GOES BEYOND BRIDE PRICE

Some men think the fact that they can pay bride price, means they are ready for marriage, this is a big lie.
Some believe that as far as they have their house, car and job, they are ready for marriage, which is another big lie. Marriage goes beyond all this.
Marriage is a ministry and you need the Grace of God to succeed. You don't go into marriage based on how much you have in your bank account or the house and the cars you have. Your marriage is supposed to be a place that heals your spouse and not one that inflicts more pain or sends them to the past. It is supposed to be the arms that mend and not the one that damages.
The fact that you can pay for something does not mean you can afford it. Affording comes with maintenance and responsibilities. You can pay for bride price but the real question is, can you afford to keep your woman in love with you till the end of time?
You have a big and nice house, can you and your spouse live in that house in peace and continue to love each other until the end of time? It is not about having the latest or most expensive car, it’s about riding happily and laughing together as you journey.
Marriage is not about impregnating her, but being a good example to the child you bring into this world, by first respecting the woman you call your wife, loving and caring for her, cherishing and appreciating her before diapers and wipes.
Young woman, marriage is not about how beautiful you are or how good you are in bed, but how you talk to your man, respect him, make him feel like a king, how you turn that house into a palace for him, how you praise and honour him.
The most handsome crown a man wants to wear is the woman who respects him and knows how to talk to him, who makes time to pray for him, who encourages him.
The most beautiful clothes that can dress up a wife are the arms of the husband she loves, which make her feel like a queen. Arms to which she is the sole proprietor, arms that are comforting, assuring and forgiving. Yet are strong, protect her and won't leave her.
Young man, dating her does not end when you get married to her. You start losing her when you stop doing that in the marriage. You never stop dating your wife, you make time and take her out occasionally, make time to walk and talk with her. Let her always look forward to seeing you. Don't replace that time with job or friends because you are married to her and she is your wife. Wife goes beyond the home.
Young woman, flirting does not stop when you are married to him else you are teaching him to look for that in a single woman elsewhere. You can't keep a mistress and girlfriend in your marriage. Marriage is very honourable. You are the mistress, the girlfriend and same as a wife. You flirt with your husband.
Marriage goes beyond what you see, you never stop what he saw in you which made him pursue you, you don't stop what you did for her to fall for you. You need the grace of God and His wisdom to keep your marriage. So never stop seeking Him when you are married. Marriage is work, the more you work, the more enjoyable it becomes.
In conclusion "And look out for one another's interests, not just for your own.

HOW TO RAISE CHICKENS DURING WINTERS AND COLD WEATHER

These are Tips and Tricks you can use when raising chicken in cold weather
We often asked how to raise chickens in winter or cold season when the temperature  drop and the snow starts to fall, The truth is that raising chickens in the winter is very easy, they only need a few accommodations to be healthy and happy in the cold winter months.

We learned that chickens natural physiology combined with several strategies on our part are all it takes to keep our chickens happy and healthy through the bitter cold winter.

These are five steps to safely and inexpensively to keep your birds warm during cold weather.

1. Make aure you get the right chickens for your climate

The very best thing you can do to ensure your birds will be fine in winter is to start off with cold hardy chicken breeds. Cold hardy breeds have very small combs and wattles, making them less susceptible to frostbite. They also tend to be built a little on the hefty side, which keeps them warmer when the temperature drops.

The best cold-hardy chicken breeds:
Ameraucana
Australorp
Brahma
Buff Orpington
Cochin
Delaware
Dominique
New Hampshire
Plymouth Rock
Rhode Island Red
Speckled Sussex
Wyandottes
Many of these Chickens are foreign and they are common in particular country and states.

2. Insulate the coop

It’s so important to insulate the chicken coop as best you can before winter sets in. You can do this in many ways. If you have the money, you can use foam or fiberglass insulation in the walls of the coop then cover them with plywood. Just make absolutely sure the insulation is completely covered, because chickens will pick it at. Always remember that insulation doesn’t mean make the coop air-tight. Every coop needs proper ventilation, for polluted air and moisture to escape and fresh air to get in.

3. Close off a portion of the coop

The coop interior gets warm on cold winter nights from the chickens body heat releasing into the air. If the amount of space inside the coop is smaller, there’s less airspace for the chickens bodies to warm up. If your chicken coop is on the larger side, it will pay to make the usable space a little smaller in the winter.

This can be done by hanging plastic sheeting from floor to ceiling, or putting up a temporary wall.

4. Provide quality feed and water

Chickens eat more feed in the winter to regulate their body temperature and put on some insulating fat. Make sure that the feed your chickens are getting is quality feed and give them a bit extra this time of year. We also like to toss chicken scratch on the floor of the coop to give the birds something to keep them busy and add a little winter fat to help keep them warm. Feed your chickens a little extra when it starts to get cold, and more importantly, provide them with fresh water at all times.

Drinking water helps with digestion, which helps with temperature regulation. If your chicken’s water source is frozen for even an hour during the day it will affect their ability to stay warm. If you can’t check on the founts several times a day, consider using a heated water bowl or a Water Heater Base for your fount in the winter.

5. Provide quality roosts

Roosting helps keep chickens warm by getting them up off the floor and allowing them to huddle together to keep warm. Roosts need to be big enough to accommodate all of your chickens, if you see chickens on the floors or nesting boxes at night, more roosts are in order.

The roost surface should be big enough so that a chicken can completely cover their feet while sitting on it. If the chickens can’t wrap their toes all the way around the roost, they are likely to get frostbite on toes that they can’t cover.

These tips will help in raising your chicken in winter or cold weather.

TREATMENT ÀND PREVENTION OF CHICKEN LICES

Lice is a common disease in poultry farming. This article will explain the best methods for how to treat chicken lice for beginners. This is my firsthand experience. For starters, poultry or "chicken lice" are specialist parasites and evolve to be very good at feeding on their specific host species—but aren't able to live on other species. So chicken lice can't live on people, and the lice that kids commonly get in grade school can't be shared with their beloved chickens.

Lice are common on many animals, and domesticated poultry have around 50 species of lice. They are all soft-bodied, pale-colored, flattened-bodied insects. These tiny soft-bodied insects have mouthparts used specifically to chew on feathers and scales on the host birds' skin. Severe infestations can make a hen stop laying and even stunt growth in immature birds. If this happens to your flocks, it's crucial to understand how to treat chicken lice and set up preventative methods for a healthier future for your flock.

Handle your birds often or at least on a weekly basis to check for pests, injury and missing feathers. When watching your flock look for strange behaviors that are indicators of poultry health.

Behavioral Indicators of Lice Infestation:

Sitting, resting or lying down more often than usual
Social isolation of a smaller group from a larger flock
Repetitive head shaking
Extended periods of dust bathing
Excessive preening
More small feathers in the pen or coop than usual
Oddly folded wings or a scruffy look
Itching with one foot—much like a dog
Decreased diet
Slowed growth in immature birds with more than one of the above behaviors
Less laying in hens with more than one of the above behaviors
Multiple chick deaths naturally hatched by broody hens
It all started when I was walking down the dirt road I live on heading to give a neighbor a rooster. She had pecking order issues in her coop and I thought it may help. Tucked under my arm was Boss Fluff, the biggest silkie rooster you ever laid your eyes on. He clucked with excitement as we strolled along.

Having very recently moved I hadn't spent much quality time observing or handling my birds. We stopped our leisurely walk briefly when another neighbor commented from their yard on the hilarity of us walking our chicken and chihuahua down the road. The rooster flinched twice to shake his head while we talked.

Instinctively, I observed him doing this to see if I could figure out why he was fidgeting. I hang out with chickens a lot and found this to be a little odd. I noticed a tiny insect crawl near his eye. Silkies have dark blue skin making the reddish-orange insect easy to see. I was most of the way to my chicken friend's house and continued walking seeing as she was expecting us. I didn't go near her coop upon reaching the property but instead stopped to inspect my bird by parting the feathers.

After finding several lice in a small area, I told her the issue and showed her what they look like chicken was so infested that the lice were already at all life stages. There were full grown lice, nits, and eggs. He was literally crawling with them. This was my first experience with chicken lice, but not my first time hearing about it or seeing lice on humans.
Lices can make chicken not to grow well, so you must look out for lices in your chicken and make sure you do the needful immediately tot help.the chicken.