The Chick Chat

Convincing you to add different breeds to your flock pt. 4

Americanas (The Mutts not the Purebreds): 200-240 Medium Green or Blue eggs per year

Americanas can be a wide variety of birds. There are purebreds, Ameraucana, as well as a variety of mutts that are spelled similarly but different; Americana, Americauna. For this post I will be speaking of the more come mutt variety and spelling “Americana”. They are considered mutts because they are generally Ameraucanas mixed with Easter Eggers or other color laying breeds. They are recognizable by their beards and muffs, cheek poofs, and colored eggs. I love my Americanas. They are sweet and docile and they lay me multi-colored eggs. They can be little spitfires but they are never mean to me or my other birds.

What’s your favorite breed? Would you add these to your flock?

Learn more at thechickchat.com

How much space do my chickens need?
Cold Climates - I am assuming cold climates for this post
Hot Climates - Add 1 square foot per bird
Middle Climates - Subtract 1 square foot per bird

Coop with no run (square feet per bird)
Bantams - 5
Standard - 6
Giant - 8

Coop with a run (square feet per bird)
Bantams - 3
Standard - 4
Giant - 6

The size of your run should be between 2 and 3 times the size of your coop if they will not be let out to free range. If they are let out occasionally you can comfortably make it the same size or double it. The smaller your run is the more likely you are to have a mud hole.

Coop with free range (square feet per bird)
Bantams - 2
Standard - 3
Giant - 5

How many eyelids do chickens have per eye?

3! Did you get it right?

Chickens have three eyelids per eye, an upper lid, a lower lid, and a transparent third eyelid known as the nictitating membrane which is designed to protect, clean, and lubricate the eye while still maintaining vision. The third eyelid acts as a horizontal "windshield wiper," shielding the eye from debris during foraging, dust bathing, and flying.
While the third eyelid operates frequently during the day, chickens primarily use their lower eyelids, which move upward, for closing their eyes during sleep.

Tonight’s eggs

Convincing you to add different breeds to your flock pt. 3

Leghorn: 300+ Large White eggs per year

While there are a wide variety of colors in the Leghorn breed, I will specifically be talking about the more popular, White Leghorn. The White Leghorn is most known for its prolific laying ability. Even though they don’t eat as much as a regular hen does, these birds can lay 1-2 eggs every day! They can be rather flighty and keep to themselves but they sure will pay their rent on time.

What’s your favorite breed? Would you add these to your flock?

Learn more at thechickchat.com

Did you know?

Mother hens communicate with their chicks while they are still in the shell, and the chicks can peep back.

A common question I see is,

What do I feed my rooster?

It’s a simple answer but let’s get into it. If you have a rooster in your flock and you aren’t sure if it should be eating the same layer pellets that you are giving your hens, then you would be correct. Layer pellets have a higher amount of calcium than your rooster can handle and this can lead to kidney failure. Layer pellets also tend to have a lower protein and fat content which can lead to malnutrition in your rooster. Don’t worry there is a simple fix. Just switch out your layer feed for an “All Flock” feed. This is generally a higher protein, higher fat, lower to no calcium. Your hens can eat this just fine and it won’t risk your rooster’s health. However, you can’t stop there. If you do make this switch then you will also need to add a calcium supplement for your hens, whether that is oyster shells or repurposed egg shells, they need the excess calcium to lay good, hard shells.