Autumn is a good time to make sure everything in is in tiptop shape for the cold weather that’s just around the corner. The preparations you make now can have a long-term impact on the health and comfort of your goats, so here are a few fall tips: • Even hardy animals like goats need […]

Molting is the process wherein hens lose feathers and grow new ones. It occurs naturally after 10 to 14 months of production, or it can be caused accidentally by temperature extremes, running out of feed or water, a decrease in light, or disease. Hens will not lay eggs during a molt. Molting gives birds a chance […]

If you don’t want to wait through a molt, you can cull non-laying birds and replace them. Culling is the removal of birds in your flock that are not laying or developing as they should. If the bird is not sick, it is perfectly suitable for home cooking. You should always cull lame or sick […]

Healthy hens will begin laying at about 18 to 20 weeks of age. It is not necessary for a rooster to be present for egg laying to start, but without a rooster, all eggs will be unfertilized. Hens will be at peak production at about 30 weeks. Excellent production would be considered 80 percent to […]

LIGHT: Many things can cause hens to stop laying eggs, but the primary reason is decreasing day length. Hens need a minimum of 17 hours of daylight to sustain strong production. If you don’t provide your hens with supplemental light, they will naturally stop laying eggs when daylight drops below 12 hours per day. Hens may […]

Keeping chickens, 3 months  Chickens become sexually mature between 4 and 6 months of age. With proper care and excellent nutrition the first egg is laid soon. You should still be feeding Purina® Start & Grow® Recipe to your birds. A layer diet should not be fed until 18 weeks of age because of the high calcium […]