If you’re a poultry fan curious about the world’s cutest chicken breeds, you’ve come to the perfect spot. Discover, read, ... Read more
Many of us have observed animals adopting unusual postures and actions, whether it be our own pets or a documentary on the natural world. These occurrences can produce visual illusions that deceive your perception and lead you to wonder about the reality of what you are witnessing. We have compiled a collection of some of the most impressive animal optical illusions that have been documented by people. Clifford, Is That You? At first sight, you might question how you’ve never come across a dog that’s larger than a house. Is it possible that a living Clifford would not be more
via Flickr
Most Beautiful White Silkie Bantam Chickens and Baby
With their friendly personalities, cute and fluffy appearance, and solid egg production, Buff Orpingtons are a popular choice for new and experienced keepers alike. While not the most strictly practical birds, this is one of my personal favorite chicken breeds, because of its beauty and charm. Table of contents🐓 TemperamentEgg Production Size and Appearance What
Meet the newly hatched chicks that are taking over our urban art farm!
And just like their plainer-looking cousins, they're just as useful on a farm or homestead. Fluffy chickens can be prolific egg-layers, while other breeds are
Are Silkies bantams or standard fowl? How many types and sizes are…
18 Dogs Thinking About Summer and Chilling in the Pool - World's largest collection of cat memes and other animals
Sammi lives in Destin, Florida, with her devoted owner, who loves taking her on road trips
The new baby chick is giving me the skunk eye. Gah they're so cute. These are not egg-layers though so they are short-term. I can't get attached.
🐥Egg Tooth🐥 Did you know that as chicks form in the shell they create a special extra piece on the end of their beak called an egg tooth? This day old Ayam Cemani chick is modeling it perfectly. The egg tooth helps them in the long journey out of the egg and falls off naturally
Dress: Doen, Shoes: Stubbs & Wootton c/o, Necklace: Kiel James Patrick Harry: Sweaters: Ralph Lauren, Kiel James Patrick Meet the newest addition to our family — a flock of baby Isa Brown chickens. Kiel and I have wanted to raise chickens for a while and now seemed like the perfect time to finally do it. Some of my fondest early childhood memories were spent at my grandmother’s house helping her feed her pet chickens and rabbits.
How I make $1,000 a month from just 15 chickens! It's possible to make money with chickens even if you only have a small flock. By choosing the right breeds for your area and marketing them correctly, you can make up to $250 a week from your flock.
Time To Take In The Weekly Dose Of Cute (#76) - World's largest collection of cat memes and other animals
A batch of baby chicks arrived yesterday and man oh man are they ever sweet and fuzzy. Someone tagged me in a pic of chicks with cupcake liner tutu's on and I was directed to replicate it... however these dudes are too wee for ballet class just yet. (Seriously, the cupcake liners are bigger than they are!) So I gave them fairy wings instead. I mean until their feathers come in they could really use some help in the fluttering department. Before you begin to worry, cross my heart, none of these babies were harmed or in any discomfort at all wearing these wings. I created tiny harness', weighing less than a gram, that rested, nestled, into their fluff that easily slid on and off. And speaking about those wings... after a number of requests I've created a new transparency sheet with a single style of 'Fae Wing' in a natural neutral colour. AND... AND... I have all transparency sheets listed at 20% off all weekend so pop over to the etsy shop and have a gander if you're making winged things. Hope you've been dandy. Wash yer hands and stay safe, lovelies.
This week by week guide to raising chickens will show you what to do and what to expect from baby chicks until they are full grown.
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Well, aren’t these little guys wonderful! Sebrights are a very special breed of bantam chicken in that the males and females have exactly the same feathering. It took Sir John Sebright over 3…
In the 2010s Australia finally realised how dreadful caged eggs were – and the chooks came home to roost
Introducing our exquisite Silkie Chicken Bow Collection, designed to add a touch of charm to your beloved feathered friends! Made with love and meticulous attention to detail, these bows are crafted for your chickens, ensuring a perfect fit and enhancing their natural beauty. With an impressive selection of 30 stunning colors to choose from, you can truly make your chicken stand out from the flock! Features: Tailored for Silkie chickens: Our bows are carefully designed to fit the unique size and shape of Silkie chickens, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit. Premium quality materials: Each bow is crafted from high-quality tulle that is gentle on your chicken's delicate feathers. Easy to use: The bows come with a small white rubber band that effortlessly attaches to your chicken's feathers, providing a hassle-free experience. Vibrant color options: Choose from an extensive palette of 30 different colors, ranging from bold and vibrant hues to soft pastels, allowing you to find the perfect match for your chicken's personality. Stand out from the flock: These bows are specifically designed to make your Silkie chicken the talk of the town. Give your chicken the attention it deserves with these eye-catching accessories. Elevate your Silkie chicken's style and make a statement with our exclusive bow collection. Whether you're participating in a poultry show, capturing adorable photographs, or simply adding a touch of flair to your flock, these bows are the perfect choice. Spoil your Silkie with the finest accessories available and watch as heads turn in awe of their unique charm. Don't miss the opportunity to make your chicken a true fashion icon. Order your Silkie Chicken Bow today and let your feathered friend shine! Just gather up your silkie’s fluff and put it in this adorable mini tulle hair bow. It’s attached to a small elastic rubberband to easily place some feather inside to secure it on top of their cute little head. 💛 This listing is for one mini tulle hair bow please CHOOSE COLOR WHEN YOU CHECK OUT. The following 31 colors are available: (one of the photos in the listing shows all available colors) 1-Burgundy 2-Red 3-Orange 4-Yellow 5-Pale Yellow 6-Pear 7-Olive 8-Green 9-Neon Green 10-Lime Green 11-Navy Blue 12-Royal Blue 13-Turquoise 14-Teal 15-Aqua 16-Light Blue 17-Purple 18-Dark Lavender 19-Light Lavender 20-Magenta 21-Hot Pink 22-Black 23-Dark Gray 24-Light Gray 25-Gold 26-Silver 27-Cream 28-White 29-Pink 30-Coral Pink 31-Powder Pink Each one measures approximately 1 1/2” x 2 1/4”and secured on a white small rubberband. This bow is created with tulle. Please do not leave chickens unattended while wearing any type of accessory. Colors may vary due to different computer settings. Excellent quality and craftsmanship. Each item is handmade by ME! ❤️ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you ready to step into the world of MariMari Collection and stay up-to-date on all the exciting happenings? 🌟 Follow us on Instagram @MariMariCollection, your ultimate destination for new products, stunning designs, upcoming sales, contests, giveaways, and exclusive flash sales! By joining our Instagram community, you'll gain access to: 🎉 New Products: Be the first to know about our latest additions to the collection. Discover unique and trendy items that will elevate your style game. 🎨 New Designs: Stay in the loop on our fresh designs, whether it's clothing, accessories, or home decor. We're constantly creating captivating pieces that reflect your individuality. 💰 Upcoming Sales: Get the scoop on upcoming sales and special promotions. Save big while adding exquisite pieces to your collection or finding the perfect gifts for loved ones. 🎁 Contests & Giveaways: Participate in exciting contests and giveaways for a chance to win fantastic prizes. From exclusive products to surprise gifts, there's always something amazing up for grabs. ⚡ Flash Sales: Don't miss our limited-time flash sales, where you can snag incredible deals on selected items. Act fast because these offers won't last long! So, what are you waiting for? Join the MariMari Collection community by following us on Instagram @MariMariCollection. Stay ahead of the curve and get ready for lots of fun, inspiration, and unbeatable offers. See you over there!
Chicken portrait ...und ein wenig Photoshop ;-)
We're fortunate today to have the following guest post by Kate @ Beautiful Chickens. Kate has hundreds of chickens at her property just west of Brisbane and she knows a lot about them. ♥:♥:♥ Silver campine, one of the rarest breeds in Australia but also one of our best layers. Having chooks in the backyard has so many advantages that it’s hard to list them all. They make great pets, provide us with amazing nutritious fresh eggs (tasting nothing like the store bought eggs), are an intrinsic part of any vegetable garden system and are just delightful creatures that brighten everyone’s day. Having said all of that if you have never had chickens before and are not well prepared then keeping them can become an arduous task. So before you go out and buy your first chickens, think on the following and plan well. Have you had chickens before? It’s best to start off simple. Try to avoid anything too fancy and choose easy care breeds which give good egg production and friendly nature. Do you have any particular colours or breeds in mind? Sometimes one just falls in love with a breed when you see it and really that is a personal thing! So long as they are available and would suit your particular setup then you should look for the breeds you love. However a word of warning, many internet sources and books list breed traits that can be misleading! So take the advice of the breeder on temperament and their particular traits. How many eggs does your family require a week? It’s no good buying only bantams and expecting enough eggs to feed a large family. One of our pretty cross breeds….heritage unknown but from a long line of farm bred chooks that have been thriving on a local farm in Mt Samson for decades. Is there a budget on spending? It is important to be aware that some breeds are priced highly simply because they are rare, are show quality, may be difficult to breed and/or are in high demand. Many breeders devote a lifetime to breeding quality birds at considerable cost to themselves. Don’t expect these breeders to part with their lovely birds cheaply. Without their commitment many heritage breeds would no longer exist in Australia. There are chicken breeds and crosses to suit every budget and if cost is an issue then go for crossbreeds or younger stock. Gold laced Barnevelders Do you already have a coop? Is it a chicken tractor, a small wooden style or a walk in large coop and will you free-range all the time, occasionally or rarely? Some breeds would be quite happy in small chicken tractor where others require more freedom. It’s also worth considering the block size ie suburban block vs acreage available for free-ranging. If there are circumstances that prevent free-ranging such as space, garden constraints, over-zealous dogs or predators then you should not feel guilty, just ask advice on the breeds and numbers that would work for your situation. Try to give them some sort of run if possible and supplement with a good variety of greens. While the cheap online coop may look appealing in the beginning if you plan to add more hens you will soon become frustrated with the size as will the hens, overcrowding is not good for them for many reasons. Also many of these coops do not last long in the weather so end up being an expensive option. eBay and Gumtree, (if you are patient) can be a good way to buy a better quality coop for reasonable cost as can a bit of DIY with recycled materials. Just make sure it is predator proof. In areas with pythons use bird mesh. Foxes and dogs can easily dig under a fence so look at ways to deter this and do not underestimate their determination. The ideal predator-proof coop is a concrete floor and a solid structure with bird mesh so when locked in nothing can get to them. Position of the coop is also very important. They need protecton from cold winds but plenty of ventilation and shade in the heat. In Australia, generally north-east facing is best but depending on trees and aspect you need to plan accordingly. The coop itself also needs shade even if just another layer of corrugated iron, shade cloth or tarp as they heat up quickly in hot weather. Blue Australorps Cleaning the coop. When a coop smells it’s time to clean as there is a build up of manure and this can adversely affect the health of the chickens just like humans! Deep litter systems are wonderful as they provide months of healthy living before bedding needs changing and then provide already composted manure for the garden. Most coops are not set up for this but if you have the option it’s worth doing! Do you have a second housing option? Having a second housing option may sound extravagant but it gives you the freedom to bring later additions into the flock gradually thus avoid bullying issues, particularly if the new chickens are younger. It is also good for broody and sick hens. It can be as simple as a guinea pig cage, large bird cage or a segregated area off an existing coop with whatever materials are available. Do you have other pets? Some dogs are well behaved and leave chooks alone but for many when left to their own devices the temptation is too great! Whether it’s your own dog, a neighbour’s dog or wild dogs please consider how you will manage them. It may mean that free ranging is only possible when you are home or the dog needs containing or that a fenced run is required. They are only following instinct so it is up to us to be aware. Coloured silkies. Is it important to you that the chooks are friendly and easy to handle for children or yourself? Again research and take advice on this as there are breeds that are more friendly than others. Bantams make great pets and look gorgeous but lay limited eggs. There are breeds that lay large eggs that can be friendly too but not all! Favorelle crosses are a great friendly all round layer. Thinking about rearing chicks? There is nothing as cute as a fluffy day old chick. They however require more commitment on your behalf as they need a heat source, dry bedding and medicated chick starter feed. If you don’t use mediated feed then cocci is a big risk that can cause death very quickly. It’s not hard but rearing chicks does need to be done correctly. The alternative is letting a broody hen rear them, this will require a separate run or coop until chicks are bigger. What is pecking order? All chickens have a pecking order. This can be distressing to a first time chicken owner but it is the way of the chicken! There will always be a dominant girl and this will be most obvious when you try to bring a new bird into the flock. This bird will eat first, drink first, lay first and usually is the healthiest and probably the most productive. It may appear brutal but usually settles quickly. As mentioned before having a second housing option will help ease this as you can introduce new birds gradually. Younger birds or placid natured birds are more in danger of being bullied so never introduce one hen on its own if you can help it. Sometimes it is necessary to rehome a chicken who is a persistent bully but this is not common. Are you aware of poultry health? There are certain husbandry requirements to owning poultry and if you are aware you will avoid problems! It’s no different to owning a dog or cat. Prevention is better than cure. Lice and mites: a dust bath area is imperative. Decide on treatment you will use and have on hand. Timber nests, roosts and straw are ideal hiding places for mites so treat these areas also with lime, diamataceous earth or your preferred treatment. Worms: Check regularly, dirty feathers around the vent is a sign and treat Respiratory: Chickens can get colds or respiratory symptoms that are caused by exposure to wild birds or new birds, moldy dusty bedding, poor intestinal health or from anything that causes stress including overcrowding, dirty smelly coops, transport, mites/lice, worms, change in weather hot/cold and bullying from other chickens. Be careful of dusts for treating lice and mites as they are irritating to their respiratory system too. So be aware and act quickly if you see any sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge or rattly breathing. Most recover with some tender care or may need antibiotics from a vet. Separate the bird from the flock while unwell. These problems are of no danger to humans but practice good hygiene all the same. Pekin bantams, just one of the many colours. Feed and water Quality feed keeps hens healthy and give you more eggs! Speak to your local producer and decide which layer mash (grains) or pellets you will use. Mixed grain is not a complete feed as the protein is too low, 10% vs a quality layer mash which has 15-16% protein plus added vitamins, minerals and calcium. Feed should be available all day if you are not able to feed twice daily. Consider feeders that limit access by rodents or put feeder way at night. Chick starter: 0 to 6 week old chicks Pullet grower: 6 to16 week old pullets Layer ration: mature pullets over 16 weeks Chooks love scraps but again they are not a complete feed so give only what they will eat each day and give a good mix of greens, fruits, bread, pasta or whatever you have! Again make sure there is none left for the rodents at night. Shell grit is also important for the hen to digest food and add calcium for egg shells. Make a separate dish and keep it full always as they will take what they need. Fresh cool water is also a necessity. If you are not able to change water daily look at making or buying a waterer designed to minimize slime and muck from chooks using nipples or lube cups. These also allow a greater storage of water. Apple cider vinegar is a great product to put in the water weekly as it helps to maintain a healthy gut, reduces slime build up in the waterer and is a general tonic for chickens. Do not use in hot weather. Be aware of where you buy food from It’s always best to buy from a reputable produce store or a breeder who is willing to offer you after sales service and advice.
High heat is dangerous for chickens and measures must be taken by their caretakers to ensure their well-being, particularly when temperatures increase suddenly or exceed 85° F. Heat stroke, heat-induced stress and death can result when a chicken is overheated. CHICKENS ARE NOT
This year’s batch of chicks arrived in the mail and I took way too many adorable photos of our new chicks so I have a lot of baby chick photos…
Add Color to Your Flock with the Colored Egg Laying Chicks available for Sale from Cackle Hatchery, a Family Owned & Operated Hatchery. Click for more!
Chickens make great pets - check out my picks for top pet chicken breeds!