The Urban Chicken Podcast - The Urbanite's Podcast Resource for Keeping Backyard Chickens

Springtime is the season most usually associated with getting started with baby chicks. However, autumn (and even winter) can be viable seasons for you to get a jump start on next year’s flock.  There are a few marked advantages to … Continue reading →

On this episode of the Urban Chicken Podcast, I answer a new set of listener questions on a variety of topics.  How long after your husband treats your lawn with a chemical weed and feed can you safely put a … Continue reading →

How many grizzly bears are in the United States? 1,800. How many grey wolves in America?  5,443 in the lower 48 states (there is an estimated additional 7,700 -11,000 in Alaska.)  How many Redcap breed chickens in the States? Fewer … Continue reading →

It is time again for another session of Urban Chicken Podcast Listeners’ questions and answers.  This Q and A session we consider and discuss ISA Brown chickens, a rooster who is acting like a hen, issues with spilt feed in … Continue reading →

Backyard chickens molt every year to replace broken, frayed and old feathers.  Though conventionally, chickens molt in late summer/early fall, a bird can molt anytime of year that suits.  Molting is both a physically and emotionally stressful time for the … Continue reading →

In 2013, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) studied urban chicken keeping in four major cities (Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York City) and discovered that less than 1% of households had backyard chickens.  The study however further … Continue reading →

Today on the Urban Chicken Podcast, I answer more chicken questions posed by listeners in Session #4 of Listeners’ Q & A series.  The chicken issues being discussed and considered in this session are: 1) understanding “sex-link” chickens; 2) dealing … Continue reading →

Burgeoning U.S. national debt Islamic fundamentalist terrorism Continuous spewing of Fukushima radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean Instability in the dollar’s position as the world’s reserve currency Ebola outbreaks Growing tensions edging towards a new world war Unfettered immigration Peak Oil … Continue reading →

Earlier this month, my sister and I dipped our toes into the pool of competitive chicken shows by entering several birds at our local county fair.  When I first started down the backyard chicken trail, I would have never considered … Continue reading →

What is really happening inside of your chicken coop?  Who is the naughty feather pulling hen?  Is there mischief occurring in your flock that you’re simply unaware of? For the average chicken keeper, it is impossible to know the answers … Continue reading →

Across all continents and cultures, man has been using herbs for their medicinal and beneficial properties for thousands of years.  Even today it is estimated that 80% of the world’s population relies on herbal medicines as part of their primary … Continue reading →

If you have backyard chickens then you probably abound in your birds’ gift of eggs, eggs and more eggs.  Your backyard bounty is delicious, nutritious and delightful, right? Conventional medical “wisdom” over the past few decades would say, “Nay!”  Current … Continue reading →

Are backyard chickens, beehives, gardens a “farm” is the owner sells part or all of the bounty of the eggs, honey and vegetables from his/her yard? Until recently in Michigan, the answer was “Yes” urban, suburban and other micro-farming set-ups … Continue reading →

  Fermenting certain foods is a very traditional method of food preservation and also enhancing nutrition.  When it comes to feeding our backyard flock, fermentation is an excellent method to improve the diet and health of our flock through improving … Continue reading →

  Question: How do you make the most strikingly beautiful, large, feather-legged, dark brown egg-laying chickens?  Answer:  Ancient Chinese Secret! Langshan, Cochin and Brahma are the three breeds that comprise the entire Asiatic Class of chickens recognized by the American … Continue reading →

It started off as a match made in heaven.  You got some backyard chickens and they started laying you delicious eggs.  It seemed perfect at first.  That handful of hens though, turn out to be fruitful birds… I mean, REALLY … Continue reading →

  When life gives you lemons, make lemonade – so the old saying goes.  Amanda Maxwell and her husband Andre followed the wisdom of that age old advice when tragedy struck their small backyard flock.  The Maxwells met over a … Continue reading →

  Currently, there is an important property rights bill being considered in Arizona, Senate Bill 1151, also known as the Homegrown Freedom Act.   This piece of legislation, which some glibly call the “Chicken Bill,” will have significant ramifications for … Continue reading →

Today on the Urban Chicken Podcast I answer more chicken questions posed by listeners in Session III of Listeners’ Q & A series.  The chicken issues being discussed and considered in this session are how to break your backyard hens … Continue reading →

  What separates the average from the extraordinary? Perhaps you think it depends on the context or subject matter that is being considered.  I disagree.  In all things and all people the extraordinary distinguish themselves by seeing what can be … Continue reading →

Predators are always a concern for chicken owners.  What may not be widely known amongst chicken keepers is that the risk of attack upon your flock may actually be worse in winter months than during other times of the year. … Continue reading →

Allegedly, it all began with the Coronation Sussex – a chicken variety developed to celebrate the coronation of King George.  In 2007 Florida Attorney, Paul Bradshaw noticed a demand for Coronation Sussex Chickens in the United States.  Though Coronation Sussex … Continue reading →

Like most people, I love to receive mail (so long as it is not a bill or junk).  Recently, I have gotten several messages from Urban Chicken Podcast listeners, who wrote to either pose a burning chicken question they have … Continue reading →

  The Marans chicken breed is marvelously varied!  The untrained observer could see a Black Copper, a Blue, a Wheaten and a Cuckoo Marans and never realize that these chickens, with vastly different coloring and feather patterns, were of the … Continue reading →

Frida Chicken turned up in the coop mostly naked and looking quite chilled a couple weeks ago – just before Christmas.  Wintertime in Boise, Idaho is cold and snowy, with the days hanging at or below freezing.  This is a … Continue reading →

What do Andre “the Hawk” Dawson, Phil Collins (with his band Genesis), and Tony Albritton all have in common?  All three gentlemen were inducted into their respective industry’s Hall of Fame in 2010.  Eight-time All-Star Player, Andre “The Hawk” Dawson … Continue reading →

It is always gratifying to get feedback and interaction from the Urban Chicken Podcast audience.  Recently, Carla Allen of Georgia email me and posed a few questions that were interesting and applicable to all chicken keepers.  Her questions are in … Continue reading →

Lee Lynn Thompson, owner and operator of Scratch A-Lot Farm has a lifetime of experience in raising chickens.  She and her husband have recently opened their farm which primarily raises, processes and sells heritage breeds of poultry in Washington State. … Continue reading →

The Kentucky Specks chicken is an American rare breed of chicken that is shrouded in much lore and mystery.  These small white and black mottled chickens – splashed with red hackle feathers and blue, green and red saddle and tail … Continue reading →

Keeping you backyard flock of chickens healthy and safe requires more than just providing them clean water and food and secure housing.  One of the most important considerations for the conscientious chicken keeper, that is unfortunately often overlooked, is the … Continue reading →

Everyone has anticipated something or some event in their life, only to find that reality and their imagination do not match up exactly.  The imagination can be a dangerous thing – it can give one expectations that are unreasonable and … Continue reading →

Eggs: they’re colorful; they’re delicious; and they’re supposed be the hard-shelled and oval.  However, sometimes they’re not shaped and formed as they ought to be. Today, on the Urban Chicken Podcast we are discussing why chickens sometimes lay soft-shelled or … Continue reading →

Whether a chicken has a qualitative conscious state of being is surprisingly a matter up for debate. Recently, a co-worker told me that chickens do not have any feelings.  He went so far as to even doubt whether chickens are fully … Continue reading →

Mercedes-Benz recently released a new commercial in which several chickens are rolled and moved about by anonymous human arms.  The point of the commercial is to demonstrate the fact that a chicken’s head is incredibly stable despite its body’s movements … Continue reading →

The Pacific Northwest Poultry Association is one of the largest poultry organizations west of the Mississippi River.  Commonly called the PNPA (though the full name is a solid name, its a bit of a mouthful), the group has historical roots … Continue reading →

Ears and Eggs.  In chickens the two are oddly linked.  There is a general rule that the color of a chicken’s ear (actually it’s earlobes, since the ears are covered in feathers and not readily visible) can help you determine … Continue reading →

Lisa Steele is the author of the wildly popular chicken related blog and Facebook page – Fresh Eggs Daily.  She shares practical techniques with her audience on how to raise and keep backyard chickens naturally with the aid of herbal … Continue reading →

So you have backyard chickens and they’re great.  They provide you fresh eggs daily; they eat bugs and weeds in your yard; and best of all, they provide you with countless hours of entertainment watching them flit and play in … Continue reading →

There are an estimated 900,000 black bears living in the wild throughout North America (USA+Canada). There is additionally an estimated 1,000 grizzly bears in the lower 48 states and 30,000 more of these massive creatures in Alaska.  Many of these … Continue reading →

You are what you eat.  This adage also rings true indirectly – you are what your chickens eat as well, if you eat your birds or their eggs.  Studies have shown that the quality of food that a chicken consumes … Continue reading →

Urban Chicken Podcast listeners have been reaching out lately and sending me their chickens questions.  These questions are interesting and relevant to all chicken enthusiasts and so I have decided to answer their questions on today’s episode.  The Main Segment … Continue reading →

If you think summertime heat is uncomfortable for you, imagine being wrapped up in a down comforter and trying to stay cool out in the hot weather.  Your backyard hens are essentially robed in their own down comforters and dealing … Continue reading →

There are hundreds of different breeds of chickens.  Literally, hundreds.  Though one likes having options – it can also be daunting to try to sift through the variety of birds to find the breeds best suited to your own personal … Continue reading →

Probably, if you have been following this podcast for a while now, you have noticed that I can’t get enough of the stories and news items that are based in the realm of the bizarre. Despite my clear predilection for … Continue reading →

  If you have backyard chickens there is a good chance that you are looking to eat more locally and organically.  However, the retail cost of purchasing organic chicken feed can be  daunting or even cost prohibitive.  There may be … Continue reading →

  So you’re chicken curious, but feel trepidation about jumping head first into backyard chicken ownership.  If only there was a way you could try out backyard chickens without having to commit.  Now you can try before you buy chickens … Continue reading →

    Lately, chickens are the centerpiece of a growing political battle in America.  Little did Henny Penny know, that one state’s effort to pass a state law to provide her with a slightly larger battery cage at the factory … Continue reading →

Lice and mites are creepy-crawlies that can torment your birds and cause them serious suffering, physical ailment and in extreme cases, lead to the death of your chickens.  There are many things to know about chicken lice and mites such … Continue reading →

  Soak your eggs in water with one cap of bleach…wash your eggs with warm water…wash your eggs with cold water…wash your eggs with non-toxic dish soap…wash your eggs with baking soda… don’t wash your eggs…etc.  There is a lot of … Continue reading →

  What do Johnny Cash, Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Orville Redenbacher all have in common?  4H – they were all members of 4H in their youth.   It was suggested by one of my guests in a recent episode that … Continue reading →

Many people take up chicken keeping for the particular purpose of having more control over this food source of eggs (and sometimes meat) in a direct response to the world of large agribusiness.  These individuals want hormone and antibiotic free meats … Continue reading →