A Visit To Your Local Poultry Show

JANE WOODS says if you’ve never been then you are in for a treat!

How Intelligent Is A Chicken?

PAUL DONOVAN explains chickens are far more intelligent than most imagine

Cochinisation And Orpingtonisation

Expert poultry man Fred Hams considers the 'utility' features in these pure breeds today – and the so called 'feather duster effect'.

Fatal Attraction?

As we head into the breeding season, over-amorous cockerels can start causing real problems for their favourite hens. Fortunately, poultry saddles offer a simple solution.

Recipe For Success

British Hen Welfare Trust founder, Jane Howorth, MBE, celebrates the charity’s 12th anniversary, with a look back over the many successes achieved.

Too Much Trouble?

I was interested to read Colin Crowther’s letter in last month’s issue (Unrealistic restrictions?, PP159), and have to say that I agree with much of what he says.

In The Zone

Joanna Palmer BSc Hons, nutritionist for the Smallholder Range, offers some timely advice to help keep your flock safe and healthy given the threat posed by the latest outbreaks of avian influenza.

Important Choices

We highlight a few of the essential decisions that need to be made as newcomers to the hobby plan the arrival of their first chickens.

Frozen Solid

Alan Holtham seeks assistance in his annual battle with the frozen drinkers in his chicken pens, but are electric heaters a viable answer?

Andalusian

Chris Graham sings the praises of the Andalusian; a really useful breed that, despite its many plus points, remains stubbornly stuck in the wings.

Running Repairs

After refurbishing his hen housing last month, Alan Holtham switches his expert, practical attention to his chicken runs, and what’s needed to bring those back up to scratch.

How Are They Doing?

Winter can take its toll on the general health of your chickens, so now’s a great time to take a step back and assess what’s what.

Dabbling With Ducks

Chris Ashton examines domestic ducks - how history shapes the present

The Majestic Rouen

- a flamboyant wild mallard, developed from the farmyards of northern France. Chris Ashton

Making A Personal Choice With Poultry Breeds

Sarah-Jayne Bowers explains how a move to Fife infl uenced her choice of chicken breed

Going Back To Nature

Janice Houghton-Wallace Looks At Natural Incubation

The Woodland Trust

Trees: a basic necessity for hen health and well-being

Fred Hams

The beginning of another new poultry year

The Poland

In all the breeds of Poultry in this country, one that can lay claim to be the most decorative and ornamental is the Poland, with their fantastic ‘Tennis Ball’ shaped crest of tightly packed feathers on their head and in some of the colours this is accompanied by a full beard and muffling.

Counting Chickens In The USA

The Livestock Conservancy’s (TLC) Watchlist equivalent is its Conservation Priority List (CPL) which classifies livestock breeds most in need of conservation, with status determined by genetic uniqueness combined with census findings on breeding populations. Unlike the RBST Watchlist, however, TLC is also able to classify US poultry breeds, which it does by carrying out a poultry census – something that RBST would like to be able to emulate in the future.

Safety Measures

Andy Marshall looks into the practical aspects of the AI-related Protection Zone, and explains the implications for back garden hen keepers and their birds.

Poultry Through The Dark Days Of Winter

JANICE HOUGHTON-WALLACE says think now to keep birds safe

Could You Take Part In Helping Hens?

You could quite literally be a lifesafer.

Ultra-Utility

FRED HAMS makes the case for a new dawn in Utility Breeding

Seeds Sewn Early!

Mindie Dittemore reflects on the wisdom her parents showed when they introduced her to chickens; something which she’s now emulating with her children.

Don't Buy A Bad Egg Incubator

A cautionary tale for new buyers says Liz Fairbrother

The Red Peril!

As the spring approaches and ambient temperatures start to rise, red mite in hen houses across the land will be stirring ominously. So it’s important to start taking action now!

Up on the Roof!

Here’s our practical guide to the various hen house roofing material options, and the important differences between them.

You Are What You Eat

JANICE HOUGHTON-WALLACE looks at how feed relates to fitness in poultry.

Andy's Diary

Working with a shorter day length and thoughts on late hatching