Untimely broodiness – breaking the habit

In normal circumstances I welcome broody chickens with open arms (although given the manner of some of my broodies I mean that metaphorically as you would be lucky to get anywhere near them!) However during the late summer months, and in particular during July and August, it can be a real problem if you find …

Avian flu prevention zone extended to 28th Feb – Press releases – GOV.UK

The Chief Veterinary Officer has extended a Prevention Zone to help protect poultry from avian flu. Source: Avian flu prevention zone extended - Press releases - GOV.UK UPDATE 6th Jan 14:30: for the full legal declaration read here https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/581957/ai-prevention-zone-170106.pdf Just in case you needed a reminder, the lock down on poultry flocks and ban on poultry gatherings …

Let sense prevail… incubators off.

As another breeding season draws to a close I find myself looking back over my hatching records, and the cross section of growers I have on the go. In front of me on the wall is a 'post-it' note that states “No Eggs To Be Set After End Of May”. It is in my son’s …

WorldPoultry – Commercial poultry embryo sexing a step closer

Excellent development and something I've been following and commenting on in Country Smallholding column for a couple of years.

WorldPoultry – German parliament rejects male chick cull ban

....but is killing them before they hatch really the answer or just the cheaper option?

Radio 2, Podcasting and Planning

It's been an interesting past 7 days or so that involved being invited on to Simon Mayo's Radio 2 Drivetime to explain another listeners three word Wednesday of "washing show chickens" to podcasting about pet poultry with Alys Fowler and Jane Perrone. In between I've played a few games of Crown Green Bowls with this …

Chicken & Egg by Andy Cawthray and James Hermes | The Womens Room

The first review of the new book and hopefully the first of many positive ones too 🙂 Chicken & Egg by Andy Cawthray and James Hermes | The Womens Room.

Blatant Book Plug – Chicken & Egg: An Egg-Centric Guide To Raising Poultry

Well it's my blog, so why not plug my new title due out in the Spring of 2015.....? The title might sound a little corny however the focus of the book is in fact "eggs". The origins and science of eggs along with the ways to get the best out the breeds you choose with …

Egg Packing, post or collect? – Hatching Guidance

When it comes to hatching eggs collecting them directly from the breeder is always preferable if you can as it not only enables you to meet the breeder and their birds but it also means that you can keep an eye on the eggs from the point of collection to the point they are put …

Hatching Responsibilities – have you a plan for the unwanted?

Hatching chicks via a broody or an incubator is fascinating. I constantly find it an amazing process both as a biological scientist and a chicken keeper, and I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had a hatch (actually that’s not true, I’ve recorded the details of every hatch I’ve done but perhaps that’s …