Guest Blog by Andrea Mitchell: "Got Chickens? 7 Top Chicken Keeping Answers"

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Got Chickens? 7 Top Chicken Keeping Answers 

Seabuck 7 loves to hear from all of their friends! We want to chat with all of the chicken raisers so we can help you be even better at making those birds happy.  Cheerful chickens = smiling keepers. Ever wonder about the top questions regarding keeping chickens?  

Here are the top 7 “most asked” questions about chickens.

1. Are chickens dirty?
Not at all! These feathered beauties are even tidier than cats. Chickens smell like linen hung out to dry (they really do) – they do not sweat or produce scents like mammals do. A chicken’s feathers are very clean.  Like all birds, chickens are fastidious, they must keep their feathers clean as a primary survival point (and they don’t do this by licking them – they indulge in dust bathing). As prey animals they have no scent detectable by humans and you won’t be left with hair all over your clothes - ever. Most people are not allergic to fowl, so think about adding birds to your family.

However, as with any animal, keeping their living quarters clean is important. Never crowd birds, house them in unsanitary conditions, or neglect basic daily cleaning. Expect to remove manure twice a day. Never allow any droppings to accumulate on roosts or other coop furnishings. Livestock manure is a valuable fertilizer, and gardening friends will be lining up to bring home your wonderful supply. Installing a droppings board under the roost area in your coop can greatly reduce time spent cleaning.

2. The rooster and the egg

Do you need a rooster? Every flock must have a rooster for everyone to feel protected and safe.  If it is allowed in your community, you will need to add these stunning males to your coop. Please fight to change anti-rooster laws, roosters are part of the natural social structure of any flock and chickens just happen to hatch out as male and female. Always try to purchase from hatcheries that sell straight run, or as hatched, to stop the destruction of male chicks. Male chickens, properly called cocks (under one year-old males are cockerels) are beautiful, clever and very loving. Most roosters live together without an issue, as they quickly establish a social order. Males raised together are even more likely to get along. A mixed flock of different ages and sexes provides a natural living arrangement that tends to prevent behavior or training issues. Older males and females train and guide the younger birds — a job that will fall on the human handler in same age flocks!

Roosters protect hens, they police the flock and they insure everything runs without too many hitches.  They help with foraging, nesting and the roosters all keep an eye out for danger. You will experience far fewer predator losses when running roosters with hens. Male birds are hard-wired for vigilance, and they keep hens safe while the females rustle up food. Don’t be surprised if egg production increases, because the roosters’ presence reduces stress in the flock. 

Crowing is nothing to “crow about.” A crow is quieter than a barking dog, less shrill than a parrot, less incessant than the drone of traffic, far lower in volume than lawn mowers or lawn machinery, and roosters do not crow incessantly. Roosters will not crow at all hours and they only crow for a reason. If your birds are caroling at night, you probably have a predator problem disturbing their beauty sleep! Crowing frequency reduces as the bird matures.

Tip: Purchase a “No –Crow” collar (or make your own with Velcro) if you do not like crowing.

3. How big should the coop be?
Your coop needs to be as big as you can afford! Coops should be shed or barn sized. Do not purchase rabbit hutch styled coops, they are far too small and not suited to housing birds. The minimum sized coop for standard breeds is roughly 6×6. 

A well-built chicken house has many purposes and it is worth any money you spend, but don’t skimp on quality materials. Expect a good coop to last 50 years or more. Nicely constructed chicken houses enhance your property and have resale value, as they can easily be re-purposed into tool sheds, gardening sheds, etc. 

Chicken coops need to be roomy enough for you to walk around, for the chickens to feel comfortable, and to house all of the coop furnishings from roosts to nest boxes.

Coop Must-haves:
• You should be able to walk into the coop and move around comfortably.
• The coop must have roosts, nesting boxes, and areas for supplies (grain bins, shelving, trash bin, cleaning tools).
• The coop needs good ventilation. It will need to remain cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  Larger coops provide better air circulation. 

4. What do chickens eat?
Chickens are omnivores and that means they eat a variety of foods. Birds have big appetites contrary to the folk saying. Foraging is essential for chickens’ health and happiness. Allow your flock to benefit from natural behaviors. Letting birds enjoy scratching and grazing prevents chronic stress and behavior issues. Purchase an organic laying feed if that is available. Never skimp on feed quality.

Provide fresh, washed vegetables and fruits. In cold weather offer “heat” foods like nuts, sunflower seeds and corn. Never feed raw meat or spoiled food. Mycotoxins in spoiled grains are deadly.
Healthy antioxidants and other superfoods are important in our diets – they are for chickens too. You will want to supplement your birds’ diet with protein and “goodies” that supply nutrients, probiotics and phytonutrients. Consider adding sea buckthorn and other foods like kelp.  Turmeric and oregano oil are also good to try, and these nutritional additives are used by large farms as disease preventatives and health enhancers.

Note: Grain that promises “yellow” yolks through coloring agents like marigold petals are safe, but you want the birds to get their nutrition through more varied food, including grasses, fruits and vegetables. You want yellow yolks to be a secondary bonus from REAL nutrition sources. High polyunsaturated fats in eggs come from a good diet, and that means healthier eggs for you too.

 5. Can I train my chickens?
Absolutely! Chickens are visual/verbal thinkers and observational learners. Their brains are geared for socializing. They are precocious, meaning they hit the ground ready to learn. Chickens’ cognitive function rival those of parrots, crows and primates With the ability to practice empathy, forethought, abstract thought (including trickery, comprehending mechanical workings and even mathematics), your birds are built to learn.  Chickens acquire information through observation, they can also understand human language so be sure to teach them a few words. These little brainiacs are so easy to train. In fact, your flock  will be training you before you train them! Never underestimate a chicken’s intellectual skills. 

These birds are far easier to train than dogs. Expect a chicken to understand a lesson after one session – without any repetition. 

6. Meet and greet  - introducing new flock members

Since every bird is an individual, this can be a difficult question to answer. Always take introductions as a case-by-case situation. Social interaction is complex and it is changeable. Birds that got along great, may not at a later date. Generally, separate new birds for a few days to see how they adapt. You will want to be present during the first few introductions. Things almost always go smoothly. Special care should be taken when adding new roosters.

Give the roosters a few days to meet each other, but not get close. Place the new rooster far enough away from the established male to prevent fighting through the fences. Many roosters will be fine with several males in the flock. However, if aggression is intense and ingrained, the birds will need to be separated. Fighting can lead to serious injury and death.  Be especially careful and vigilant when introducing new adult males. Some territorial aggression can be mitigated by introducing two or three new roosters instead of one bird, as the attention of the established rooster is going to be spread across several new additions.

When adding young chicks to an established flock, wait until they are a few months old. Older birds will attack strange youngsters. If you are hatching under a broody – no worries! Mom takes care of the introductions. She will begin to drive the young birds away as they mature. By this time, the birds will have merged with the flock.

7. Understanding chickens

The key to success with chickens rests with understanding their intelligence, inquisitive nature, social structure and boundless energy. These birds are always watching and thinking about things. Animals with this kind of brain power often present some real challenges. They are one step ahead and “too smart for their own good.” Armed with understanding, you can be ready to troubleshoot before issues arise. Chickens are determined and strong willed. Be prepared to make concessions! If the birds want a nest box to be an old shavings bag, let them have it. When you listen to what the chickens tell you—things go smoothly! 

Extra Tip: Be sure to have the contact information of an avian/exotic vet before you get birds. Local universities are good places to start your search. They will also be able to guide you in finding an avian vet in your area. With the demand for exotic vets increasing, many doctors are now able to help chickens. Don’t forget to ask. Farm vets are usually ready to help with a flock. Remember to always have a vet available before you need to contact one. An obviously ill chicken is almost always an emergency!

Well, we hope you are ready to enjoy the summer with your favorite fowl. Share your tips and know-how with all the readers! What are your 7 top chicken raising answers? Get on your crowing fence and send us a shout.

Why Aren't My Chickens Laying? - guest post by Andrea Martin

Why Aren’t the Chickens Laying?

As scarce as hen’s eggs! That is what some chicken keepers may want to say about eggs.  This is the number one question asked by bird folks. The first step towards understanding eggs, and the laying process, involves rethinking what those round “baking ingredients” really are. Eggs are nothing more than the chicken’s way of making more chickens!  It really is a chicken and egg question.

Chickens, like mammals, ovulate. Unlike mammals, they incubate their babies outside their bodies. It takes 21 days of setting for an egg’s fluffy occupant to mature and enter the big outside world. Egg production is based on three things: the day length, the chicken’s genetics and two outside influences – lifestyle and nutrition.

This is great news! We can guide and enhance two of those three factors… we can provide an enriched living arrangement and we can supply varied and beneficial foodstuffs. We can even alter the daylight - but this needs to be done with caution. More on that in a bit.

What we can’t change

Each chicken is the product of a rich and varied genetic heritage. Her ancestors supplied her size, feather color and structure, and the number of eggs she will lay. So, egg laying can be influenced through the generations by selective breeding – and this was just what humans did over the centuries. You can’t change the number of eggs that any individual bird has – they, just like mammals, are born with all of the eggs they will ever have! You won’t get 300 eggs out of a Silkie or Brahma, but you will from a Brown Leghorn and Australorp.

Raising heritage and endangered breeds of chickens is the first step to being successful as a chicken keeper and conservationist.  These breeds have been developed for vigor, slow maturation, reasonable production intended to maintain health and longevity, and the ability to utilize native range /climate to an advantage.  Research has proved that selecting these individuals is extremely important in order to salvage diversity, to enjoy disease resistance, and to support animal welfare. 

Choosing native fowl is particularly important for warmer zones. As this article from Scientifica (2016) states,  “Indigenous breeds are well known for their tropical adaptability and disease resistance, while their plumage colour helps in protecting themselves against predators.”

Happy hens

Stress, dirty and un-enriched living conditions limit reproduction in any animal. These negative factors also increase illness, create behavioral issues and lead to welfare issues in the animals. Happy healthy birds lay more and better eggs. Chickens of all breeds are designed to forage for most of the day. They need stuff to do, places to see and leafy areas to dig.  Busy birds are happy birds. 

Chickens are biologically bound to seek out flock living.  Always be sure to provide at least 4 birds to any group. You can get away with three, and this is a common breeding group known as a trio. A trio is comprised of two hens and their rooster. Roosters are a very important member of any flock. Well-bred roosters stabilize the social structure. They reduce stress in the hens, assist with activities such as foraging and nesting, alert the flock to danger and cultivate a beneficial sense of safety.

Note: Unusually aggressive or birds with genetic faults should never be bred. Responsible breeding prevents cruelty and unwanted birds.  

Choose wary and range-bred chickens, such as Spangled Hamburgs, Penedesenca, Brown Leghorns, Ancona, Welsummer and Fayoumi for natural keeping practices. Refrain from purchasing and raising breeds that are not suited to your environment. “It is important to maximize the use of existing genetic diversity…in indigenous fowl [47, 60]. …In the recent past there is a growing concern to conserve biodiversity and to evaluate potential value of indigenous chicken not only for current but also for future unforeseen uses.”

Note: Laying is determined by day length. Chickens need to rest from laying during the winter months, even in warm climates. This rest period is critical, so adding light must be done with care. Hens will stop laying during the molt as well, this is when they save their energy to make new feathers! Laying will resume after the molt. Using Seabuck 7 during the molting process is important. The birds need added nutrition and vitamins during this time.

Dinner bells

Chickens love to eat! These feathered friends can really tuck in.  Anyone who “eats like a bird” has an impressive appetite.  A chicken’s eating practices vary by several factors. Young birds have higher protein needs as they build muscle, bone, feathers and everything else! Hens in lay will eat a substantial amount more than their rooster friends and any hen that is older or not laying at the time. Birds eat less in hot weather and more in cold.

Always provide top quality grain for the flock and be sure to supplement this with fresh greens and fruits. Chickens crave protein and they will find this on range. Prevent behavioral issues and feather picking by supplying protein to your birds if range or wild sources are limited.  The protein sources and lack of variety in chicken grain diets creates many issues for the birds. Chickens naturally desire a wide variety of foodstuffs, and being omnivores, innately crave certain textures and tastes.

Note: Behavior issues can often be linked to a mundane diet (only offering processed feed with no greens or range) as well as a sterile environment. Chickens need coop and feed diversity! Stressed and bored chickens will not produce eggs, have that special show-ring bloom, or enjoy a quality life. 

Supplements

Chickens need that little extra boost to keep their bodies fighting ready! A few additions to their perfect world are the gilding that you need to put on your feathered lilies.  Provide oyster shell for calcium and shell quality, kelp or seaweed for micronutrients lacking in modern soils, grit for their digestion and natural food boosts for their immune systems and body condition.

There are many options to choose from and knowing your flock’s needs is key. Consult with your agricultural extension and with a vet skilled in natural medicine.  Be careful of what you purchase for supplementation. There are many poultry products are on the market – but they are not regulated and quality/results may not be supported.  Many supplements are not bioavailable, or they may need an additional complementary herb to boost their absorption.  Turmeric and oregano will not be utilized by the birds, or you, without the addition of “bioperine” or pepper extract (yes, it is made from black pepper). If you purchase a supplement for the birds containing flakes of dried oregano – you will only be flavoring their food. 

Best Picks:

• Turmeric with bioperine
• Oregano oil
• And…Seabuck 7!

We mention the sea buckthorn because we know that this fruit has evidence-derived, scientifically proven properties.  Read our other posts on what to expect from Seabuck 7. 

Happy laying! Share your egg-citing stories – tell us how do you keep your feathered flocks feisty?

Lead! What Chicken Keepers Need to Know

Lead! What Chicken Keepers Need to Know

What stays in the soil indefinitely and never breaks down?

Lead.

Lead is an element in the carbon group (Pb) and it is already in its “smallest” form. High school chemistry class taught us that this element can’t break down anymore — lead residue persists forever in the soil. The particles do not decompose…but remain a toxic substance even after eroding into aerosolized dust.  Once a component of paints and pesticides, lead also appears as a natural substance.  Even if you have never used any lead products, it may still be present on your property in the soil, in old barn paint and in paint chips. Lead was used in pesticides, gas, bullets and shot, as a sealant for tin cans, in batteries and as a water line solder. Even if you have removed all of the lead paint from structures, it will already have entered your soil.

Lead can be taken up through the roots of plants.  When the chickens graze lead- tainted grasses, and when they roll in the dust to bathe – they are ingesting these residual lead particles. Chickens eat dirt to help digest their food. Hens actively seek out chips of calcium when they are laying. Anything flat, small and white with the characteristics of an eggshell or chip of seashell fits the bill! Unfortunately, that is exactly what lead white paint looks like.  Chickens readily consume flakes of paint that have fallen off of old buildings or that have emerged from the soil. In fact, the soil around old structures may contain toxic levels of lead. 

Heavy metal history

Humans have been smelting lead for thousands of years; its workable properties are legendary. Lead beads have been dated as far back as 7,000 BCE. The Romans used lead pipes to transport water through their famous water engineering works. But even some of Rome’s citizens began to suspect this was not a great idea. Lead poisoning was known in Ancient Rome and some historians propose that lead poisoning may have had an impact on that society. By the end of the 19^th century, the dangerous aspects of manufacturing with lead were coming to light.  Lead poisoning (exacerbated by scurvy) was behind the 1845, Sir John Franklin Arctic expedition’s failure, as the crews’ food was sealed in lead soldered tins and foils. Lead analysis of the exhumed remains revealed heightened levels of the metal.

Lead is a dangerous neurotoxin that accumulates in plant and animal systems. We all know of the tragic cases of waterfowl that have ingested lead shot and fishing weights. The same cumulative affects will occur in the chickens and in us. Lead is transferred to baby chicks through the egg, and eggs used for the table will also contain the toxic substance. Lead is easily shared!

Old glass also holds traces of lead and chickens will snack on shards of broken windowpanes or glassware. Antique properties are littered with middens. Yup, this is the famous junk unearthed by archaeologists. Trash collection is a modern convenience, and while Victorian cities had dustbin workers, country folk simply dug pits on their homesteads and buried their trash. For those of us living on old properties, we regularly dig up these treasure troves. Some of those antique waste-bin finds have been leaching lead into the soil. And some of these “gems” are aged taste treats for the ducks, geese or the chickens that spend their days digging up things!

What you can do:

1. 1. Have your soil tested at your local agricultural university, extension office or environmental conservation service.
2. 2. Do not allow the birds (waterfowl, turkeys or chickens) access to old paint that may be on iron gates, wooden fences or buildings. They may peck at these objects and ingest the lead. Chickens and turkeys will strip and eat flaking lead paint!

Symptoms of lead poisoning

Low levels of lead toxicity won’t show any signs.  Serious lead poisoning in birds appears similar to other diseases (like Mareks).  It is usually chronic and based on repeated exposure – it also builds up in the birds’ system. Lead poisoning produces neurological symptoms including: loss of appetite, lethargy and self-isolation, bright green droppings/unusual manure consistency with diarrhea, unsteady on feet with inability to roost, weakness, increased thirst, star-gazing and cognitive issues, seizures/blindness, anemia and regurgitation. Lead poisoning is deadly!  

If you suspect illness in your flock consult your veterinarian promptly. Lead poisoning is treatable, but birds exhibiting symptoms are in real danger. This is an avian medical emergency.

Lead levels in parts per million – soil testing

If soil test results from your property reveal heavy metal toxicity, you will need to take action. Unfortunately, removing and protecting livestock from lands containing lead contamination is a real mess!    

1. Safe/natural levels: 100 ppm and under

2. Increased levels: over 100 to 300ppm

3. Toxic levels: over 300 ppm

Check your property and fencing for possible lead paint and remove any questionable objects. Getting soils tested is a key step to safe farming practices. 

Sea buckthorn research

Laboratory studies have revealed the protective and therapeutic benefits of the sea buckthorn (leaves, fruit and seeds) for preventing and treating toxicities from mycotoxins. Therapeutic benefits are based in the plant’s antioxidant activity against free radical damage since it contains “exceptionally high contents of nutrients and phytochemicals such as lipids, water-and fat-soluble vitamins, and flavonoids.” 

Sea buckthorn has liver safeguarding properties, but it also has shown positive neuroprotective benefits as well. 

This is a quote from a 2005 breakthrough study in Protective Effects of Hippophae rhamnoides L. Juice on Lead-Induced Neurotoxicity in Mice: 

“To elucidate the cognition-enhancing and neuroprotective mechanisms of HRL, we investigated the effects of HRL on oxidative stress and the changes in cholinergic and monoamine neurotransmitters induced by lead. Free radicals play an important role in lead neurotoxicity, since lead exerts its neurotoxicity through oxidative stress… Increased oxidative stress reflected as a higher MDA level in lead-treated mice was prevented by HRL. The antioxidant activity of HRL juice has been shown in in vitro, cell culture, and animal studies.” 

The researchers’ intriguing conclusion showed that the sea buckthorn revealed traceable benefits. “Because oxidative damage is also involved in Pb [lead] toxicity, we examined parameters of oxidative stress in the brain from mice chronically exposed to the metal. In this study, we used behavioral and neurochemical experiments to determine the protective effects of HRL against the neurotoxicity induced by lead.” 

Sea buckthorn continues to unfurl its beneficial health properties! But, if you suspect lead poisoning in your birds consult a vet immediately.  This is a life-threatening condition and prompt veterinary care is needed. Generally, many birds will be affected, or will soon be affected, if there is a source of lead on the property.  Your veterinarian and agricultural office will assist you in dealing with this frustrating and stressful problem.

Exciting Eggs! How is an Chicken Egg Made?

(Contest for FREE SeaBuck 7 Backyard Chicken product giveaway below.)

Exciting Eggs! How is an Egg Made?

“In the garden there was nothing which was not quite like themselves - nothing which did not understand the wonderfulness of what was happening to them - the immense, tender, terrible, heart-breaking beauty and solemnity of Eggs. If there had been one person in that garden who had not known through all his or her innermost being that if an Egg were taken away or hurt the whole world would whirl round and crash through space and come to an end... there could have been no happiness even in that golden springtime air.”  - Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden (1910)

Healthy, happy and mature chickens lay eggs. This is how birds reproduce! It isn’t any different for mammals – except that mammals brood their young inside their bodies.  As gallinaceous birds, chickens continue to lay eggs in order to replace eggs taken from the nest. Many other species of birds will do this…but chickens have a natural ability to produce many eggs in their lifetime (all females animals are born with all the eggs they will need during their lives).  

Humans favored chickens that tended to lay more eggs. This trait was desired and hens that were good layers were allowed to make more good layers.  Some breeds  known for egg laying lost the trait to set – like leghorns and other birds from the Mediterranean.  Chickens were not bred to lay too many eggs at the risk of their own health and longevity.  

Heritage breeds handle reproduction well – so try to choose those birds that were raised to be stout and sassy.  These breeds (like Rhode Island Reds, Andalusians, Fayoumi, Hamburgs, Barred Rocks, Dominiques and many more) have been bred to withstand subsistence conditions on farms for centuries – well, thousands of years. Some breeds that strutted next to the Romans, and before, are still clucking (Dorkings, Leghorns, Brahma, and Silkies were mentioned in Artistotle’s writings). 

Heritage chickens were bred to NOT have health problems.  Expect your birds to rest during the winter months and seasonal molts. Resting is very important to maintain their strength and vivaciousness. Of course providing clean housing, super feed and supplements are important to maintain bird health. Always be proactive! Sea buckthorn helps to uphold and maintain reproductive health! Don’t forget the chickens’ Seabuck 7, their oyster shell and provide dark, clean and safe nesting sites.

Why eggs are very special

“It may be the cock that crows, but it is the hen that lays the eggs.”  - Margaret Thatcher

The production of the egg takes roughly 26 hours from ovulation to presentation in the nest. The rooster’s presence has nothing to do with the formation of the egg beyond the fertilization section itself (you will have an egg that is fertilized for hatching if you run roosters). Roosters do provide significant social and structural benefits to a flock. Keeping some roosters will help to reduce stress and their presence assists in keeping the birds safe. Roosters are vigilant and designed to cater to the flock – their watchful eyes make any predator’s job much harder. Roosters also help with nest building and they aren’t ashamed to sing that boisterous “egg song” either!

How an egg “happens”:

The yolk drops to the oviduct after ovulation. The oviduct is composed of five sections, the most important of these being the —

• • Infundibulum- a 3 to 4 inch long funnel that holds the yolk for fertilization. The yolk sits in the infundibulum for less than half an hour.
• • Magnum – the yolk stays here for 3 hours. This is the time where the “egg white” (or albumin) is attached.
• • Isthmus – The narrow stretch of the oviduct where the papery inner wrapping and shell membranes are formed.
• • Shell Gland (uterus)– And finally the shell! Manufactured mostly of calcium carbonate, the shell is added around the egg. This process takes up to 20 hours! And this is where the shell’s color forms on the egg. Wow, it’s hard not to be reminded of a mini Willy Wonka factory puttering away inside each hen.

You’ll never look at those magnificent eggs the same way again. They are truly a feat of nature.

Did you know? Alfred Hitchcock was terrified of eggs! “I’m frightened of eggs, worse than frightened, they revolt me. That white round thing without any holes … have you ever seen anything more revolting than an egg yolk breaking and spilling its yellow liquid? Blood is jolly, red. But egg yolk is yellow, revolting.”

Eggstra Facts

Female chickens arrive at sexual maturity anywhere from 4-8 months of age. Hens are not gumball dispensers and they are not making eggs for you. A hen lays when she has reached breeding age. This is breed specific and trying to rush a hen’s growth can lead to serious health issues including weakened birds and even death. Her body must be physically ready to carry and give “birth” to an egg.

Hens will produce fewer eggs as they age. Keeping your birds in tiptop shape helps to prevent any health issues as they grow older and wiser.  Older hens hold the flock’s knowledge, and their calm presence helps to keep stress levels down. These matronly ladies serve a crucial role in maintaining the social order, providing skills and teaching younger birds. Don’t underestimate the value of old hens!

Case Studies:

Case Study (Bianca’s story): Andalusian pullet, Bianca, was unable to lay a shelled egg. She also did not feel well when producing an egg, and prescribed nutritional supplements had no effect.  Even though Bianca had all of the nutrients and calcium she needed to make an egg, these elements were not uniting properly to actually MAKE the shell.  Even higher doses of calcium and certain vitamins didn’t budge the process.

Homeopathic treatments (by Laurie Lofton, DVM), were able to show Bianca’s body how to combine the ingredients to make the egg. After a few months of using the remedy (calcarea carbonica) on a daily treatment plan, Bianca produced shelled eggs all by herself!

Case Study (Emily): Emily was genetically predisposed to internal laying. Internal laying is a life-threatening condition.  Emily ended up undergoing a hysterectomy and making the Tufts University Magazine.  She is now 7 years old and the queen of the coop.

GIVEAWAY:

Seabuck 7 is dedicated to flourishing flocks! Send us pictures of your blooming birds and their egg-citing eggs! Post them to our FaceBook pageSeaBuck 7 FaceBook page. We'll select a random winner for 2 FREE 1 quart bottles of SeaBuck 7 Backyard Chicken on June 30th.

Photograph Your Chickens! Tips for Successful Pics With Seabuck 7

“A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed.” 
 Ansel Adams

It is really easy to capture the personality and character of your chickens in a photographic portrait. Modern cell phones and digital cameras snap stunning images without the price tag of professional equipment. And chickens don’t require special things like zoom lenses. Chickens are natural models with a rare beauty. They are lithe, poised and uniquely balanced. Just like the subjects posing with contrapposto elegance in old master paintings, chickens have limitless grace!

“If I didn't start painting, I would have raised chickens.”  Grandma Moses chose to paint —but let’s do both!

For most of us, our cell phone is at hand…if not in hand. Your cell phone is your best tool for taking spur of the moment pics. Cameras on cell phones provide very good quality and you can quickly upload your snaps to the Internet.

Action!

The chickens are on set and ready for their close-up! All the world is a stage and when chickens are involved that takes on a whole new meaning. Be ready to capture these moments. When your birds are out and about, begin to think about “staging” good shots. This is pretty simple. Look at your yard and mark off focal points – these are the sections of the frame that your eye naturally gravitates to. Ask yourself what object, bird, or group of chickens is the first thing that you see? Bingo – that is your focal point.

Tip #1

In fact, this is more than a tip…it is a MUST. Get in CLOSE. The longer the distance, (think landscape portraits), the less impact a picture of an individual has. The subject of your picture gets washed away in the vastness of the space. While this is great if you are capturing oceans or mountain ranges, it is a disaster for subject photos! You need to get “in” there. Get up close enough to have the subject fill up the whole frame and then back off.  Take several close-up shots and look at the results. 

You will have some “pro” shots in the collection.

Try this technique with objects first. You can practice snapping photos quickly with subjects that don’t move or get bored. Professional photographers take tons of shots. In the “old days they would fill up reels. Now we have the luxury of deleting the ones that are not any good. Be ruthless in this editing…umm, deleting. You can always take more.  Henri Cartier-Bresson said the first 10,000 photographs are your worst.

Natural and Effortless

Take natural-looking photos. Atmosphere sets the content, tone and mood of the shot.  Don’t force the birds into a photo shoot. Struggling, grumpy and sour-faced expressions lead to static, bland and forced images. You want your pictures to tell a story, to reflect an image, to allow your viewer to enter the space and the “soul” of your chickens. Photography is theater. Just as if you were composing a painting, you will be setting a mood and reflecting the birds in their full glory. Think noble, think funny, think poetry — whatever the emotion of the chicken is, or what the photo wants to be, capture that.  Often the circumstance will dictate the tone in that instance, be ready to roll with that. Photography tells a story, it is a piece of art. Creativity reveals itself in a moment, and like dealing with opportunity, you need to ready!

Below are some quick tips for streamlining your technique:

• Avoid cluttered or competing backgrounds (lawnmowers, fencing, cars, houses), that cause viewers’ eyes to go haywire. Compose shots devoid of distractions. Think of everything in your frame as a prop. Some props are good - you decide.

• Change. Don’t be predictable. Altering the photographer’s angle and point of view creates drama and curiosity. Your images will pop with excitement just by changing your perspective. Get under the chickens, get in really close, get at an even height, put the chickens on a tree limb…

• White or light feathered chickens are tough to photograph. Their color creates a strong contrast that feels “hot” and overexposed. Try using subdued lighting, or take the pictures at dusk, dawn or on cloudy days. White chickens standing in the snow can be dramatic shots. Always try, you can’t go wrong. Black plumed chickens tend to wash out so use strategically placed lighting to highlight their features. 

• Expressive lighting (chiaroscuro) has its place. It can be “harsh” if not done right. Again- you are the judge. Don’t shoot into the sun or at times of day when the sun’s light is at its height. Take your pictures on cloudy days (great mood light), the early morning (magic hours) or at the end of daylight. Taking twilight shots can evoke a romantic, soft atmosphere. White birds and flowers are extra stunning in the twilight as their strong contrast comes into perfect play.

• The Portrait. Whether it is one bird that is the star, or 15, get them into an organized and composed frame (use bribes). Set out the chickens favorite treats or put treats in places you want them to be. Chickens are spontaneous and the most compelling award-winning photographs were taken in the moment. Your chickens won’t disappoint.

Art does not follow rules. It just works when it works. This is what makes a creative hobby so much fun. Anyone can take great pictures, whether you are a tech fan or a tech-phobe, modern equipment adapts to every artist.  Try different light, use props, take the photos and edit them on your computer. Click away – break rules.  It’s that simple.  Experimenting can lead to some amazing discoveries. Chickens are the perfect subjects. They are cute, charismatic, full of attitude and just plain handsome. 

We know how amazing chickens look. Share your photographic masterpieces with us at Seabuck 7 – the folks who know how to make your chickens “close-up” ready! 

“When people look at my pictures I want them to feel the way they do when they want to read a line of a poem twice.”  Robert Frank


Sea Buckthorn Shows Promise Against Bird Flu

Sea Buckthorn Shows Promise Against Bird Flu

Recent outbreaks of avian influenza (including the highly pathogenic strains) in the Midwest have sounded the alarm against this dangerous disease. While the outbreak was mostly confined to commercial farms, backyard poultry keepers need to be vigilant as well.  Without any treatment options available for poultry, the influenza virus won’t be welcomed in our flocks.

Information about avian influenza

Vaccinations are used to help prevent the contraction and spread of influenza in humans and other species, but there aren't any readily available for our chickens.

The virus was first noted in wild bird populations (waterfowl) in 2014.  The H5 virus was located on the west coast, in Washington – it has since expanded into the HPAI forms H5N2, H5N8 and H5N1 strains. The CDC explains, “the USDA is the lead agency for [tracking] such activities in domestic birds. The latest information on avian influenza findings in the Pacific Flyway is available on [the] USDA’s website.”

Tracing of the virus in wild birds continues as the spring migrations are underway, and the virus has been detected in the Pacific, Central and Mississippi Flyways.  It is paramount that backyard flocks not come into contact with wild waterfowl or have access to waterways visited by waterfowl. Poultry keepers should not visit commercial farms, come into contact with unknown fowl or handle wild waterfowl. Most HPAI is introduced through human transmission of the virus on their clothes or equipment.

At this time prevention and awareness are all chicken (and other poultry) keepers can do to prevent their birds from being exposed to this disease. In addition to reducing exposure to potential wild carriers we can ensure our birds have great nutrition, stress-free lifestyles and prebiotics/probiotics with nutritional supplements to ensure they have strong immune systems. The addition of Seabuck 7 to the birds’ diet has shown some exciting benefits. Read more to find out just how amazing the sea buckthorn fruit is for your birds.

The anti-viral properties of sea buckthorn

A study from The Journal of Preventative Medicine and Hygiene (2015) used dried sea buckthorn bud extract in an experiment to test its antiviral properties against the influenza virus. The avian influenza virus can run through a flock and become highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) very quickly.  This disease’s mortality rate is astounding! “Influenza A virus displays constant evolutionary changes, defined as “antigenic drift” [1] and “antigenic shift” [2], enabling new mutant strains to emerge and spread.”

Antiviral drugs are not particularly useful in halting or stopping the effects of the avian flu. The viruses build resistance quickly making the drugs useless. There are a few other pharmacy products that have to be tested, but the most promising antiviral substances are those that knock out the virus on the cellular level. Scientists are looking to plants for the answer. One plant’s extract stands out – and that is the one made from the sea buckthorn!

“All parts of SBT [sea buckthorn] contain large amounts of several active compounds [16] and these include: vitamins (folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, riboflavin), carotenoids…phytosterols (amyrins, ergosterol, stigmasterol, lansterol), organic acids (malic and oxalic acids), polyunsaturated fatty ac ids and essential amino acids [17].” The Journal of Preventative Medicine and Hygiene  study used extracts from the sea buckthorn bud to test for antiviral activities. The results were promising, as it was determined that the extract did have a strong antiviral effect on the H1N1 (A/California/7/2009) virus group.  The researchers in the group revealed, “that SBT bud extract is able to reduce the growth of the Influenza A H1N1 virus in vitro at a concentration of 50 µg/ml. This discovery opens up the possibility of using SBT bud extract as a valid weapon against Influenza and, in addition, as the starting-point for the discovery of new drugs.”

Another hot off the press study from the Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences echoed the earlier findings. The antiviral activities of sea buckthorn leaf extract proved even more compelling. The leaf extract was held against the commercially available antiviral drug Oseltamivir. Tests showed that “all extracts from [the] seabuckthorn leaf…inhibited influenza A and B virus infections more effectively than Oseltamivir… used as a control drug,” in the trials.

Wow. Now that is good news!

How chicken keepers can maintain flock health

Biosecurity is the first (and best) step for fencing out the virus. You want to keep the influenza viruses out of your flock. Quarantine new birds, separate birds returning from shows and don’t handle wild waterfowl. If you live in high risk regions, do not visit other farms (especially commercial ones), and if you must do so be sure to wash your clothes and disinfect footwear as well as vehicle tires – BEFORE going around your property and visiting your poultry. Never share poultry cages or equipment.

Good husbandry and ethical handling of poultry is always important. Always allow plenty of room for birds to engage in natural activities. Feed a variety of quality grain, vegetables and fruits while allowing the birds access to safe foraging areas. Happy birds are healthy birds. Add probiotics to their feed and supplement with sea buckthorn formulations such as Seabuck 7.  Birds build great immune systems when they have the nutritionally active compounds of the sea buckthorn fruit to do so.  Boosting the birds’ natural vigor while making sure they enjoy a stress free and enriched lifestyle goes a long way in keeping your feathered friends safe and cheerful! 

By SeaBuck 7 guest blogger, Andrea Martin
Mar 29, 2016

Guest Blog by Andrea Martin: "Reasons for Raising Chickens with Seabuck 7 – You May be Surprised!"

Reasons for Raising Chickens with Seabuck 7 – You May be Surprised!

Raising backyard chickens is an exciting and rewarding hobby. You want the best for your birds and you know that healthy, happy chickens produce great eggs.  Whether you are raising birds as family pets, or for exhibition, a feisty and vibrant bird is at his or her best.  While we can’t protect our birds from everything, we can take steps to provide them with a strong foundation. Here’s what you can do.

Chickens need shelter from the weather and from predators, activities to prevent boredom, vaccinations (for Marek’s, Fowl Pox, or IB) and good nutrition. Chickens, like other animals (and ourselves), require an environment that is free of chronic-stress and that allows for natural activities. Ensuring your chickens live a long and productive life involves employing a varied approach.  The birds will build a flourishing immune system when they are content, but they will need a few “outside resources” to do that properly.

 Seabuck 7 helps with that.  When you couple the following habitat suggestions with the added protective benefits of the sea buckthorn fruit  - your chickens will thank you!

Design Shelter and Forage Space for Stress Reduction

Proper chicken husbandry involves maintaining a clean, stress-free environment —but this includes creating an enriched environment that encourages the birds to enjoy natural behaviors, such as socialization and food discovery (chickens love to find their own food).  Drs. Smith and Johnson, in The Chicken Challenge – What Contemporary Studies Of Fowl Mean For Science And Ethics, warn that inappropriate housing with a high “stocking density and the lack of environmental enrichment leads to aberrant behavior, such as feather pecking and cannibalism.”  We all know that stress = disease.

It’s easy to provide your birds with plenty of room and adequate foraging time.  The domestic chicken is descended from wild fowl that roamed the verges of tropical forests.  While we can’t develop our homes into lush, palm-lined jungles, we can “chicken-scape” the birds’ run and pasture with foraging material. 
Here’s how:

1.     Plant stands of raspberries, gooseberries and blackberries. These canes offer secure foraging areas for the birds….and tasty berries to share. Mulch the plants fairly heavily with pine needles, leaves or wood chips.  Don’t forget to try grapevines (and hops…yes, the flower buds are used in beer). Grapes are fast-growing vines that give the birds shelter, cover and provide a snack when the clusters ripen. All of these plants provide beneficial resources for local wildlife as well. Landscaping for chickens instantly turns your home into a conservation minded property!

2.     Chickens forage by turning over piles of leaves and ground mulch. They find seeds, insects and plant roots to eat. Chickens also eat sand, loam, grit and pebbles to aid in their digestion. Your birds will seek out certain soils and loam for nutrients as well.

3.     Shrubs are perfect places for the chickens to relax under.  Be sure to add a variety of bushes that work in your area. Try forsythia, holly, boxwood, small evergreens, blueberries and hydrangea. These dense shrubs offer cover to allow the chickens to feel safe.  Chickens naturally avoid any open areas, you will notice them sticking close to trees and other places to hide under. This feeling of security reduces stress.

Promoting Healthy Flocks with Seabuck 7

A recent study from the journal, Anti-Cancer Research, found that the berries of the sea buckthorn provided tumor resistant properties. This is good news! Chickens are prone to many cancers as they grow older, and they suffer from the same age-related issues as other animals – and ourselves.  Offering nutrition that helps to stave off and deter arthritis, cancer and other maladies is a good idea.  We want our birds to live long and productive lives – and fortunately, reducing chronic stress and providing healthy foodstuffs, are the two easiest ways to promote poultry longevity.

The study from the publication Anti-Cancer, focused on the sea buckthorn’s phytochemicals (phenolic acids, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins and flavinoids). These phytochemicals are known to inhibit the formation and proliferation of cancers (chemopreventative).  The physiochemical benefits of the fatty acids, amino acids, dozens of antioxidants, over 20 minerals and vitamins B1, B2, C, A, E, K and folic acid are hard to ignore.  All of these elements promote exceptional immune support for your birds, helping them resist occasional stressful periods (adding new birds, weather changes, brooding, injury, egg production or showing) and to fight off disease.

Researchers noted that the “cancer protective effects of fruits and vegetables have been suggested to be due to different mechanisms such as inhibition of carcinogen activation, stimulation of carcinogen detoxification, scavenging of free radical species, control of cell-cycle progression, inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, inhibition of the activity of oncogenes, inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis, and inhibition of hormone or growth-factor activity.”[i]

The study used minimally processed sea buckthorn berry juice against 5 lines of cancer cells, revealing that the sea buckthorn berry offered one of the highest levels of cancer prevention (and reduced cell proliferation) when the fruit was not over processed.  The anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects of adding berries, especially the sea buckthorn, showed impressive abilities in these studies.

Germs With a Side Order of Mold? No, Thanks.

Sea buckthorn’s beneficial effects were also shown, in a 2013 study printed in the journal Poultry Science, to ward off the impact of dangerous mold toxins.  Sea buckthorn oil’s phytoantioxident properties were found to have significant results in preventing the effects of aflatoxin poisoning – a dangerous mold toxin known to grow in spoiled grains, in soil and in rotting vegetation. [ii] Aflatoxins are also known to encourage cancer formation as well as mortality in birds. The sea buckthorn acted by protecting the chickens’ livers against the accumulation and activity of the toxins.

The anti-fungal and anti-microbial functions of sea buckthorn seed and oil is contained in the Kaushal and Sharma study of 2011.  Coupled with the fruit’s known antioxidant and stress-lowering abilities, these additional benefits are exciting!  If aflatoxins are wary of the sea buckthorn fruit, E. coli bacteria showed similar fears![iii]

Using non-chemical antibacterial agents is a step forward, and green chemistry is providing some promising results with the sea buckthorn – including the fruit’s ability to combat strains of avian influenza and Newcastle Disease.  And that’s exciting news, indeed!

Another study found that chickens fed sea buckthorn experienced a fortified immune system and strengthened mucous membranes.  The healing properties also included:

•  reducing skin irritations from inflammation or injury

•  slowing sun damage and speeding wound healing

The positive and protective activities of the sea buckthorn fruit are not simply topical — they have a proven anti-stress activity coupled with a holistic effect on physiology allowing the animal to heal itself from within. [iv]

Moving Forward

While research is continuing on the antiviral, antibacterial and regenerative effects of sea buckthorn berries, we already see the results in our flocks.  They key to poultry management rests in setting up a holistic approach with preventative actions that keep our birds sturdy and rugged from the inside out. Ensuring they have access to forage, a nutritious and varied diet, mental activities (such as getting time to free-range in safety, good flock interaction, dust bathing), quiet and clean nesting areas, sanitary housing and reducing exposure to disease are all building stones in the foundation. Adding sea buckthorn to your chickens’ daily rations cements that approach.    

Our chickens love Seabuck 7. Apparently, they already knew what scientific studies are proving – that the sea buckthorn fruit really is a superfood and a significant support system to promote and foster the health of our flocks. With a few good husbandry practices, our chickens can have long and happy lives.

We love to hear from our readers. Share your experiences and information in the comment section. Let us know what Seabuck 7 does for your flock!

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[i] D. Boivin et al.,  “Inhibition of Cancer Cell Proliferation and Suppression of TNF-induced Activation of NFKB by Edible Berry Juice,” Anticancer Research 27 (2007): 937.

[ii] C. Solcan et al.,  “The Hepatoprotective Effect of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) Berries on Induced Aflatoxin B1 Poisoning in Chickens,” Poultry Science 92 (2013).

[iii] Manisha Kaushal, and P C Sharma, “Nutritional and Antimicrobial Property of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae sp.) Seed Oil,” NISCAIR-CSIR,” 70 (2011): 1035.

[iv] Jana Krejcarová1 et al., “Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) as a Potential Source of Nutraceutics and its Therapeutic Possibilities - a review,” Journal of the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences  85 (2015).