As hens get older they have a tendency to develop problems when laying eggs. As they approach the end of lay stage shells may begin to display full or partial wrinkling. This is caused by reduced elasticity of the tubes which the eggs travel down as ...
While many breeds have bantam varieties true bantams are naturally small breeds that have no large fowl counterpart. There are many true bantam breeds and those below represent a good cross-section and display a wide range of differing characteristics, appearance and temperaments. Small ...
Showing adds an extra dimension to poultry keeping outside of the supply of eggs and/or meat or pet elements that may be your first motivation. It can be a bit daunting for the newcomer but although there are rules and protocols to follow, as you ...
In the natural cycle of life a hen lays eggs, hatches them and raises the chicks until they are about eight weeks old when she will abandon them. Broodiness is a perfectly natural, hormone induced, instinct in any laying hen. However, unless you are ...
Covering such a taboo subject is always very difficult but at Pocket Farm we believe that it would be irresponsible not to include some guidance on this sensitive subject. Dispatch of your birds will always be hugely emotive but the fact is, as a ...
Until recently the Russian Orloff chicken was a rare and endangered breed but, thanks largely to the efforts of the Russian Orloff Society in the UK, is now no longer rare and is classed as a soft feather heavy bird. Formally known as the ...
Taking care of chickens and ducks during winter has already been covered as a subject but how many readers realise that they can actually suffer from hypothermia and frostbite? Hypothermia Some chickens, particularly youngsters who are not used to ...
With a New Year just around the corner, chicken keepers know that temperatures are going to drop; with the usual wind and rain of autumn and early winter soon to be accompanied by an icy chill. This decline in temperature usually witnesses some ...
Much as we would prefer our poultry to remain healthy all of the time there will inevitably be times when they fall ill. Quick identification and treatment can literally mean the difference between life and death so Pocket Farm is compiling its own ...
Wing clipping, if done properly, is a harmless method of preventing your chickens flying if they are predisposed to escaping an allotted area. It is used if they are likely to venture in to neighbouring areas where they are not welcome or it is ...
Guinea fowl originate from Africa where there are several wild species including ones that are vulture like in appearance; however, it is the Helmeted Guinea fowl that is domesticated and kept in this country. Within the breed there is a huge range ...
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