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Q: What’s the difference between a cockerel, cock, stag, pullet, hen, and straight run?

A: Cockerel – A young male bird from 1 day old up to 12 months.

  • Cock (or Rooster) – A mature male bird over 1 year of age.
  • Stag – A male bird between 5 and 11 months old, showing early signs of maturity.
  • Pullet – A young female bird from 1 day old up to 12 months.
  • Hen – A mature female bird over 1 year of age.
  • Straight Run – A mix of male and female chicks sold together as hatched, with no gender sorting. Typically, 100 straight run chicks yield about 50 cockerels and 50 pullets.

Q: How do I know when my pullets are ready to lay eggs?

A: Pullets usually begin laying between 5 to 8 months of age, depending on breed and care. Look for these signs:

  • Bright red comb and wattles
  • Increased vocal activity (“singing”)
  • Pelvic check: Gently feel between the two pelvic bones. If three fingers fit between them, the bird is likely laying or about to lay. If only two fingers fit, laying may begin in the next 3–6 weeks.

Q: Which birds are raised specifically for meat (butchering)?

A: The Cornish Cross, White Turkey, and Bronze Turkey are bred for fast growth and meat production. If not butchered in time, they may suffer from heart or leg problems due to their rapid weight gain and are not suited for long-term keeping.


Q: How do I treat chickens for lice?

A: To check for lice, gently hold the chicken upside down by the legs and examine the feather base around the vent (butt) area. Lice thrive in moist areas and may be visible crawling near the skin.
Treatment method:

  • Use “Sevin” garden or pet dusting powder (or a similar poultry-safe dust).
  • Apply about a tablespoon to the affected areas, especially around the vent, and repeat every 30 days for 3 months.
  • In severe cases, also treat under the wings and in the ears.
  • Clean and treat roost poles and the surrounding area to control the infestation.
  • Note: Chicken lice are species-specific and do not live on humans. However, it’s good hygiene to bathe after handling infested birds.
  • For a natural option, Diatomaceous Earth can be used as a “green” alternative.

Q: What does “Standard” and “Bantam” mean in poultry breeds?

A:

  • Standard (STD) breeds are full-sized, large poultry varieties.
  • Bantam breeds are miniature versions of the standard, typically about one-fourth the size, but just as hardy and often more ornamental.

Q: What is medicated feed, and why is it used?

A: Medicated poultry feed contains preventive treatments to help control common diseases like Coccidiosis and, in some cases, bacterial infections.

  • Coccidiostats (e.g., Amprolium, Monensin Sodium, Lasalocid) help prevent coccidiosis, which is difficult to manage through sanitation alone.
  • Broilers are typically fed medicated feed until one week before processing.
  • Layers may receive medicated feed until around 16 weeks of age, after which it should be switched to a non-medicated feed.
  • Antibiotics may be added to support growth and prevent infections, but always observe withdrawal periods before consuming eggs or meat from treated birds.
    Examples include: Penicillin, Bacitracin, Oxytetracycline, and Chlortetracycline.

Always follow label instructions and dosage guidelines for safe usage.


Q: Why don’t blue feathered birds always produce blue offspring?

A: The regular blue feather gene does not breed true. Offspring from blue-colored birds generally result in:

  • 1/3 Blue
  • 1/3 Splash (light/washed-out coloring)
  • 1/3 Black or Dark Blue

To increase the chance of blue offspring:

  • Splash × Splash = 100% Splash
  • Splash × Black/Dark Blue = ~50% Blue offspring

True-breeding blue types, such as Self Blue (Lavender) breeds, do produce consistent blue offspring.

Breeds we offer with blue variants include:

  • Blue Sumatra
  • Blue Cochin (Standard & Bantam)
  • Blue Old English (Standard & Bantam)
  • Blue Polish, Blue Rose Comb
  • Blue Slate Turkeys
  • Blue Swedish Ducks

We also offer Self Blue Old English and D’Uccle Bantams for those seeking a true blue line.

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