Chicken Myths And FAQ'S

Chicken myths can come in all shapes and sizes. Here are a few of the common ones.

Chickens produce large amounts of poop (chicken manure).

This chicken myth probably came about because chickens poop many times during the day and night. However, the amount produced is very small. Compared to a dog it would take four chickens to equal the amount of poop of a medium sized dog. And the benefit of chicken manure as fertilizer for your garden and house plants far out weigh any of the false misconceptions.

You can get salmonella from owning chickens.

Salmonella is a food borne illness which is usually transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with animal feces. You should still practice good hygiene before and after handling your chickens. So, you will not get salmonella from keeping chickens.

Chickens in your backyard promote the spread of bird flu.

This chicken myth is absolutely not true. If anything, the more people that own their own backyard flocks the better the chances of preventing the bird flu pandemic in the first place.

The bird flu is a major concern because of factory farming. Thousands of birds are crammed next to one another in a closed environment making this a perfect recipe for viruses to mutate and spread. By owning your own chickens, you are refusing to support factory farms.

Some people believe that if you have backyard chickens, you are more at risk for bird flu. As you see from the video, raising healthy, happy birds in small flocks is the way that it is supposed to be done and is a solution to the problem--not part of it.

The cost to enforce urban chicken laws will be to expensive to local communities.

People who choose to raise small flocks in their backyards have usually made the choice to live a more self sustaining lifestyle. They are responsible and aware of local concerns. The benefit to local communities far out weigh any expenses.

I am sure there are many more chicken myths. Please let us know about your chicken myth experiences.

FAQ'S

Can a chicken fly?

Yes but only short distances. The longest recorded flight is 301.5 feet

How old are the chickens we buy at the food store?

Five to eight weeks old

How many toes does a chicken have?

Four to five on each foot

How long does it take for a baby chick to hatch?

21 days

How long does it take a hen to lay an egg?

24 to 26 hours

How fast does a chickens heart beat?

280-315 beats per minute

What is the body temperature of a chicken?

102 to 103 degrees Fahrenheit.

How many varieties of chickens are there?

According to who you ask between 150 and 250.

What are some of the different colors of eggs?

White, brown, pink, green and blue

What is the chicken egg laying record?

seven eggs in one day.

Can hens crow?

Its rare but it can happen.

How long do chickens live?

15 to 20 years

Can you hypnotize a chicken?

Yes

How fast can a chicken run?

Nine miles per hour.

How do you get a hen to lay bigger and stronger eggs?

You change the lighting to make the chicken think that the day is 28 hours long.

How big was the largest egg?

12 oz. and it measured 12.25 inches around.

What was the most yolks in one egg?

Nine.

How many chickens are on earth?

One chicken for every man woman and child living today.

Do chickens talk?

Yes they have there own language. The sounds they make have meaning.

What is the longest recorded flight of a chicken (time in air)?

13 seconds.

What is Alektorophobia?

Fear of chickens.

How many eggs do hens lay in the United States each year?

80 million

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