A practical-but-honest guide for beginners who think livestock is just feeding and collecting eggs. When we started raising livestock, I thought I was signing up for fresh eggs, happy animals, and a wholesome connection to the land. What I got instead was a crash course in disappearing chickens, suicidal rabbits, and goats with a personalContinue reading “Things Nobody Told Me About Raising Livestock (That Would Have Saved Me Hours of Headache)”
Category Archives: Poultry
Feeding the Land While Feeding the Flock: Foraging vs. Grain-Based Diets in Chickens
On a warm July afternoon, there’s something deeply satisfying about watching chickens roam through tall grasses, scratching and pecking their way across a pasture. Their feathers glint in the sunlight, tails twitching, heads bobbing in rhythmic focus. They’re doing more than looking for snacks—they’re practicing the art of self-sufficiency. At Huckleberry Farms, we let ourContinue reading “Feeding the Land While Feeding the Flock: Foraging vs. Grain-Based Diets in Chickens”
Sex-Linked Chickens: How Genetics Predict Chick Color and Traits from Hatch
For poultry breeders looking to identify male and female chicks at hatch, sex-linked genetics offer a reliable shortcut. Unlike standard breeds where chicks look identical for weeks before their gender becomes apparent, sex-linked birds show differences right away, making sorting and management much easier. Sex-linked traits in chickens occur when certain feather color genes areContinue reading “Sex-Linked Chickens: How Genetics Predict Chick Color and Traits from Hatch”
Silkies vs. Satins: The Genetics Behind Fluffy vs. Sleek Feathering in Chickens
Silkies are one of the most recognizable and beloved chicken breeds, known for their soft, fluffy, fur-like feathers that look more like mammal hair than traditional plumage. But in recent years, Satin Silkies have emerged, bringing a smoother, structured feather type while maintaining many of the charming traits of the Silkie breed. Behind these twoContinue reading “Silkies vs. Satins: The Genetics Behind Fluffy vs. Sleek Feathering in Chickens”
Frizzled Feathers: The Genetics Behind the Curly Plumage in Chickens
Love them or hate them, frizzle chickens are one of the most visually distinctive birds in poultry breeding. With their curled, windswept feathers, they look like someone cranked up the humidity and forgot to bring a brush. But behind that quirky appearance is a straightforward genetic mechanism that makes frizzles both easy to breed andContinue reading “Frizzled Feathers: The Genetics Behind the Curly Plumage in Chickens”
Blue, Black, and Splash: How a Single Gene Shapes Poultry Plumage
When it comes to poultry genetics, few traits are as visually striking—or as reliably predictable—as the Blue/Black/Splash (BBS) color system. Whether in chickens or Swedish ducks, this genetic mechanism operates with clear, easy-to-follow inheritance, giving breeders a straightforward way to anticipate color outcomes with every hatch. Unlike some genetic traits that lurk unseen, requiring pedigreeContinue reading “Blue, Black, and Splash: How a Single Gene Shapes Poultry Plumage”
Breeding for Disease Resistance in Poultry: Strengthening Flocks Through Selective Selection
For poultry breeders, disease management is one of the biggest challenges in maintaining a healthy flock. While vaccination, biosecurity, and treatment protocols play key roles in disease prevention, breeding for disease resistance offers a long-term solution that strengthens birds at the genetic level. Instead of relying solely on external defenses, resistant breeding creates flocks thatContinue reading “Breeding for Disease Resistance in Poultry: Strengthening Flocks Through Selective Selection”
Farm Table Talk: When a Barnyard Mix Costs More Than It’s Worth
Listen, I’m all for paying top dollar for high-quality breeding stock—birds bred to the Standard of Perfection (SoP), with genetics meant to improve a breed rather than just pump out eggs. If that’s what I’m buying, then sure, $25 to $50 makes sense. These birds are an investment, not just random additions to the flock.Continue reading “Farm Table Talk: When a Barnyard Mix Costs More Than It’s Worth”
Building Resilience: The Power of Adaptive Animals and Survivor Genetics
When we think about resilience, we often picture steadfast humans—those who weather the storm, rise above adversity, and come out stronger on the other side. But let me tell you, humans have nothing on animals when it comes to adaptation. Chickens, rabbits, cattle, and all manner of creatures possess a remarkable capacity to adjust toContinue reading “Building Resilience: The Power of Adaptive Animals and Survivor Genetics”
Healing with Heart: A Guide to Battery Chicken Rehabilitation
Rescuing and rehabilitating battery chickens is a powerful act of compassion. These birds, often dismissed as disposable commodities, have endured cramped living conditions, malnutrition, and physical modifications, but they are anything but helpless. With the right care and attention, these chickens can recover and thrive, offering a glimpse of their resilience and unique personalities. ThisContinue reading “Healing with Heart: A Guide to Battery Chicken Rehabilitation”
