Poultry Blog & Guides
A curated feed of recent articles on raising chickens, coop care, and flock health. Every card links to the full article on its original site.
Article titles, summaries, and images are sourced from strombergschickens.com/blog and remain the property of their respective authors. Click any card to read the full article on the source site.
Tips for Collecting Cleaner Eggs
If you have backyardchickens, you know that cleaning fresh eggs is often just part of the daily routine. While a little dirt is normal, cleaner eggs are easier to handle, safer to store, and require less washing be…
Which Meat Bird Is Right for Me?
A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Choosing the Best Meat Birds for Your Homestead Choosing the right meat bird depends on your goals, setup, climate, and how you want to raise your flock. Some poultry keepers want the f…
8 Practical Tips to Simplify Poultry Processing
The first time we processed chickens on our homestead, I thought I was prepared. I had done my homework, watched videos, read forum posts and ordered what seemed like the right equipment. But no matter how much res…
Getting Started with Chickens: Your Beginner’s Guide
Thinking about raising chickens? Whether you want a steady supply of fresh eggs, healthy meat for the table, or just some entertaining feathered friends, keeping chickens is one of the most rewarding backyard projects yo…
Winter Chicken Coop: 7 Tips for Winterizing Your Coop
Keep your flock safe and warm this winter with these practical coop prep strategies. Learn how to insulate, protect, and prepare your birds for the cold: Add deep bedding for natural insulation Block drafts, but mainta…
Raising Chickens 101: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Beginner chicken raising is rewarding, but it's easy to make mistakes early on. Avoid these common mistakes to keep your flock safe, healthy, and productive. From coop space to feeding and biosecurity, here's what …
The Truth About Chicken Egg Color: What It Really Means
TL;DR Chicken egg colors are determined by genetics—not nutrition or quality. From white to brown to blue, each color has a simple explanation. Here's what you need to know: Genetics determine egg color by breed O…
7 Symptoms of Bird Flu to Look Out for in Backyard Chickens
The H5N1 bird flu outbreak is deadly and fast-spreading. Learn to spot early warning signs of avian influenza symptoms in chickens to protect your flock: Lethargy and loss of appetite Coughing, sneezing, or nasal disch…
How to Safely Store and Wash Fresh Eggs
TL;DR Keeping fresh eggs safe starts with understanding how to store and clean them properly. Use these tips to preserve freshness and avoid contamination: Unwashed eggs can stay at room temp for up to 2 weeks Washed eg…
How to Tell If a Chicken Is Egg Bound: Symptoms and Treatments
TL;DR Egg binding in chickens can be life-threatening if not caught early. Learn how to identify, prevent, and treat this serious condition: What is egg binding? An egg gets stuck in the hen's reproductive tract S…
Keeping Chickens Hydrated: A Guide for Large Farms and Homesteads
Water may seem like a simple part of poultry care, but it plays a critical role in the health and productivity of your flock. One of the most common questions we hear is: "Why did my chickens stop laying eggs?" A surpris…
Batten Down the Coop: Fall Predator-Proofing Tips for Your Flock
As the sun dips lower on the horizon and the crisp bite of autumn settles in, a quiet shift happens around the chicken yard. The days grow shorter, the nights colder—and out beyond the fence line, hungry eyes begin…
Introducing New Birds
We often get asked how to introduce new chickens to a coop with older hens. It's a common situation—maybe you're growing your flock or replacing birds you've lost. So let's walk through how to safely in…
What to look for if your flock has Bird Flu
Firstly, Bird Flu has two forms. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI). If your flock has HPAI, then you will likely have little to no warning that they are sick w…
Why Ducks are a Valuable Addition to Egg-Laying Flocks on Large Farms and Homesteads
With chicken shortages affecting availability across the U.S., now is the perfect time to consider adding ducks to your existing flock. Ducks are excellent egg layers that complement chickens well, offering consistent pr…
The Guide to the Perfect Chicken Coop
Chicken Coop Considerations: Build a Happy Home for Your Flock Spring is finally arriving, and if you've welcomed baby chicks into your life this season, congratulations—you're officially a chicken pare…
Quality Coops 101: Build a Henhouse That’s Safe, Smart & Cluck-Approved
Why a Quality Chicken Coop Makes All the DifferenceYour chickens aren't just backyard companions—they're egg-laying MVPs, garden tillers, and feathered comedians! And just like any VIP, they deserve a c…
Understanding When Chicks Can Go Outside
Introducing your baby chicks to the outdoors is a significant step in raising chickens, marking their transition from the protection of their mother hen and the safety of the brooder to the wider world. Understanding whe…
Your Guide for Using Heat Lamps with Baby Chicks
Raising backyard chickens can be an exciting and rewarding journey—but did you know the baby chicks' survival depends on creating the perfect warm and cozy environment? Heat lamps are your secret weapon, mimi…
How Cold is Too Cold for Chickens? What You Need to Know
When temperatures plummet, chicken owners face the challenge of keeping their flocks safe and comfortable. Chickens are surprisingly resilient if they're healthy and housed in proper conditions. However, extra steps are …
Ordering Chicks Months Before They Hatch
Whether you're just getting started in the lively world of poultry or looking to add to your flock, ordering chicks is an exciting process with feathered rewards. Let's break down the hassle-free proces…
7 Tips for Winterizing Your Chicken Coop
When winter comes around, a homeowner needs to make sure everything in their house and yard is ready for the freezing temperatures and potential snowfall. You should do the same for your backyard flock. While ch…
What's the Scoop on Wonder Products?
WHAT'S THE SCOOP ON WONDER PRODUCTS? Many people have heard of probiotics and their healthful benefits in poultry, but what are probiotics exactly? What benefits can they offer if given to chickens? Let&rsqu…
Winterization: Heat Lamp With Safety Switch & Heated Waterers
Chickens do far better in the cold than you might imagine, but there are still a few simple but important things you must do to prepare your chickens for the winter. Implementing a reliable source of heat for your chicke…
Taking Care of Your Chickens While on Vacation
It's a dilemma every pet owner faces: what happens when I go on vacation? We all deserve some time off once in a while, but it's hard to enjoy a weekend getaway when you're worried about the welfare of …
How to Care for Baby Chicks, Ducks, & Geese
BABY CHICKS NEED FEED, WATER, HEAT, LIGHT & SPACE. For chicken enthusiasts, particularly those new to the joy of raising chickens, knowing how to care for new chicks is essential. Here's a comprehensive guide to ensu…
Getting Started with Chickens
Thinking about getting started with chickens? This comprehensive guide will point you in the right direction for getting started with chickens. In no time you will be getting started with chickens and heading down the ro…
Essential Equipment For a Chicken Coop
Welcoming chickens into your home requires more than just a coop; it's a commitment to their comfort, safety, and health. From the all-important roosting bars that ensure a comfortable night's rest to proper temper…
How to Prevent Frostbite in Backyard Chickens
Frostbite is a danger for anyone who spends a lot of time outside in the winter, which means your backyard chickens are no exception. Extremely cold weather, combined with wind chill, can lead to severe frostbite, especi…
The 4 Chicken Developmental Stages
Raising backyard chickens can be a beneficial and captivating hobby. Chickens can provide eggs and their manure stands as a potent source of organic fertilizer. These fascinating birds can also create hours of entertainm…
Glossary Of Poultry And Waterfowl Terms
ABA: American Bantam Association – One of the national poultry organizations, standards bodies and Judge Licensing organizations for the United States. Their focus is strictly on large andbantam chickens, duc…
How Does a Chicken Incubator Work?
When a hen lays, cares for, and hatches her eggs, instinct tells her exactly what to do. From keeping the chicken eggs warm with her own body heat to adjusting them throughout the day so that they lay just right, a hen k…
Chicken Breed Glossary
Choosing a breed ofchicken doesn't have to be a difficult project. Use this handy guide to select the bird with the traits that are right for you! CORNISH ROCK A hardy and heavy meat bird. Known to have an e…
Tips for Building Your Own Chicken Coop
When you set off on your chicken-keeping journey, the first thing you need is a home for your incoming flock. Building a chicken coop is a crucial first step. Chicken coops come in endless sizes, styles, and functions. T…
How to Prevent Disease Spread in Backyard Flocks
Just like humans,chickens can fall sick with various illnesses and diseases. One sick chicken can infect the rest of the flock, causing a small cold to become a big issue in yourbackyard chicken coop.The good…
Safe Handling Techniques for Baby Chicks
Like any baby animal,chicks are as fragile as they are adorable. Getting new chicks for your flock is always exciting, but mishandling them can lead to injury or disease—for both you and the chicks. That&rsqu…
3 Tips for Training Your Backyard Chickens
Like many pets, your backyard flock ofchickens can learn basic tricks and commands. Training your chickens can be both fun and useful. Maybe you want to teach your hens how to run through obstacle courses or behave…
How to Prepare to Raise Chickens at Home
Have you ever looked out across your backyard and wondered what it would be like to have your very own flock of chickens roaming around? Keeping chickens is a surprisingly low-maintenance hobby. Plus, the fresh e…
Feeding Chickens at Various Ages
Just like humans,chickens of different ages have different dietary needs. You want to keep every member of your flock happy and healthy by giving them the food they need to grow and thrive. Here are some tips for f…
3 Strategies for Chicken Flock Entertainment
No one likes to be bored, least of all yourchickens. Your birds are naturally curious creatures who are extremely good at making their own entertainment, but sometimes they need a little help. Toys, treats, and new…
3 Factors that Stress Chickens Out
Like any animal,chickens can experience stress due to both physical and psychological factors. This stress can negatively affect more than your birds’ moods. Stress in chickens influences their health, laying abili…
7 Benefits to Raising Backyard Chickens
Are you interested in poultry and find yourself asking, “Should I raise chickens in my backyard?” These funny, feathery friends are popular among hobby farmers and regular homeowners. After all, who doesn&rsq…
Most Common Health Issues Chickens Face
A healthy flock is a happy flock. Like any pet or livestock, it's important to keep yourchickens safe from harmful diseases. Chicken diseases spread in a variety of ways. If left unchecked, they can infect th…
How to Keep Chickens in an Urban Environment
Chickens can be wonderful and profitable pets, so it's no wonder chicken raising is catching on—even in large cities. However, if you're making plans for a metropolitan flock, there are a few different …