Indeed, Christmas is just around the corner. A few days from now, you’ll be busy attending family gatherings here and there. You’ll also be having a hard time about what present to give to whom. But before you stress out your mind, take note that the Yuletide season is not just for humans. They’re for pets, too, chickens, in particular!

If your birds have been generous the entire year, giving you fresh eggs in the morning, why not give them Christmas presents? Here are 5 unique gift suggestions to consider.

1. A DIY Perch or Swing​

​Though it is ideal for the hot summer weather, a perch or swing makes a great present for pet chickens. What’s great about this chicken coop accessory is that you don’t have to spend too much because you can always DIY! All you need to prepare are woods, ropes, a drill, and 2 eye hooks. And then, let your creative juices flow to come up with a unique design.

2. An Automatic Door Opener

​Not a morning person? Here’s another perfect Christmas present suggestion that’ll benefit you and your flock. It’s an automatic door opener. With this product, your hens don’t have to wait until you get up from bed and finish your cup of coffee. Since it is automatic, you can set the time when the door of the chicken coop opens. Therefore, you can spend longer sleeping during those cold winter mornings while your birds get to do their thing, pecking at food as they free range.

3. Water Heater​

​Water plays a vital role in the lives of chickens. But when it’s cold and freezing, they won’t be able to have access to fresh water. Thankfully, water heaters have been introduced. With this innovative accessory, your birds stay alive and don’t get dehydrated as their water supply will never be frozen. This could be the best present you can ever give!

4. Nutritional Supplements​

​When it’s Christmas, days will be shorter and the ground will be ice-covered. That means your birds can’t easily find fresh bugs and worms to satisfy their nutritional requirements. It’s not a big issue though. Nutritional supplements are readily available at the local farm stores. But if your budget says no, you can make do with what you have at home.

5. Treats

Make this year’s Christmas extra special for your chickens by letting them feast on delicious and healthy treats! Do a quick research online and you’ll see many different treat suggestions that are suited for the cold weather. Be careful though. As with the case of humans, too much of anything won’t do any good.

After reading these suggestions, do you now have an idea what to give your pet chickens for Christmas? Well, whatever you are thinking, please make sure you don’t get them sweaters or make them dress up in fancy Halloween costumes. They can always keep themselves warm without the added clothing.
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Image Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
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​Jordan is the lead content curator for Coops and Cages as well as a couple of other pet-related blogs. His passion for animals is only paired with his love for “attempting” to play the guitar. If you would like to catch more of him, you can by following his Twitter or Facebook accounts.

A lot of people are under the belief that raising chickens in their backyards can lead to a decent return of investment. While that is true for many, there are also challenges that come with such an endeavor. Jordan Walker, the lead content curator of Coops and Cages, shares a couple of problems you might encounter if you plan to raise poultry of your own.
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Raising chickens in the backyard has proven to be a great hobby for most that provides both entertainment and a little food on the table every now and then. Backyard farming has become so popular that even legislation is being revised to accommodate the influx of such interest. While you may have a neighbor or two that raises chickens of their own, it might’ve crossed your mind that it is an easy thing to do. While that may be true on most accounts, we cannot discount the potential for problems to arise even in such a simple household backyard environment. Here are some of the problems backyard chicken farmers are plagued with.

​Predation
Chickens are pretty much at the lower tier of the food chain. Practically everything would want a bite out of them be it falcons, eagles, foxes, wildcats, snakes, owls and even raccoons, dogs and cats.
In order to remedy this, you need to have properly secured chicken coops that can withstand predator attacks. Also, a secure fenced chicken run is needed for when the chickens are outside. In the event that you want your chickens free ranging, it helps to have plenty of tree cover to keep flying predator visibility at minimal levels.

​Rooster Hostility
People often don’t expect to get a rooster in their flock. The sex of a chicken can be difficult to determine when they are born. There may be times when you are sold a rooster instead of a hen. In the event that you did opt to get one, be sure you keep their hostility in place.  Roosters can be very hostile and frowned upon in the poultry industry. They have a tendency to assault hens and even humans. It helps to keep a good rooster to hen ratio, so that roosters don't over mate hens. Some experts advise that one rooster for every ten hens would do. This helps lessen rivalry in the flock and promotes healthy mating conduct.
Roosters that attack humans can be dealt with catching them and holding them until they calm down. This will alert them that you’re in charge and that they can’t go anywhere without your leave. As with most pet training, this is also best done while the rooster is still young.
If this technique doesn’t minimize their hostility, human-assaulting roosters are best relocated or even euthanized.

Feather Loss
Molting is a common process in chickens wherein they lose and regrow their feathers. This is usually accompanied by a slower or abrupt stop in egg production which causes owners to worry. This is actually not something to worry about. As the chicken is concerned about regrowing their feathers, they focus all their nutrients on the regrowing stage and lessen usage of nutrients on egg laying. In order to help keep your chicken properly nourished, be sure they have a high protein diet. They should be back to egg-laying as soon as the molting process is over.
Mites or lice may also cause feather loss. Mites are parasites that reside in your chicken coop and suck the chicken’s blood at night whereas lice remain on the chicken’s body. In order to avoid this, be sure your chicken coop is cleaned regularly. Proper hygiene before and after handling chickens is also a must. If the issue lasts for more than 3 months, consider visiting a vet.

Chicken Cannibalism
​Hens reared for the production of eggs commonly see instances of cannibalism within the flock. Regardless of whether hens are cooped up, caged, or in free-range environments, there is a potential for cannibalism to sprout all of a sudden. As it is a learned behavior that starts from feather pecking, it can spread quickly throughout the flock unless dealt with right away.
This behavior is best prevented rather than treated. Here are some ways how:

• Introduce chicken toys in the backyard. There are numerous pecking toys out there in the market that can help redirect their pecks to safer surfaces.
• Avoid overcrowding. The flock needs adequate space to drink and eat. Otherwise, limited space can encourage hens to compete for food and drink which leads to feather pecking and cannibalism.
• Keep temperatures in check. Warm temperatures tend to raise discomfort among birds which causes them to start pecking. As it can eventually lead to cannibalism, be sure cool water is always present and the coop area is well-ventilated.
• Lighting should be moderated. Too much light or prolonged exposure to light can cause birds to become hostile. This is especially important in breeding farms wherein birds are exposed to light therapy to produce larger eggs.

Backyard chicken farming requires continuous learning to pull off successfully without any hitches.

Images: Courtesy of The Chicken Lawyer

Jordan Walker is a true animal lover, from the smalles to the biggest, from the furry to the feathery. As the lead blog curator of Coops and Cages, he has imparted his knowledge on animals and their keeping. And that includes chickens and what makes them cluck happily. 
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​People who say they keep chickens as pets would most likely receive gasps of surprise. It is an upsetting concept for some. But that is only because these fowl creatures are normally thought of as food. It is true though! There are people who truly consider chickens as pets. Even notable celebrities like Oprah and Jennifer Aniston keep domestic fowls in their backyards that provide them with company—and free eggs!
While chickens can be generally left to fend for themselves, a helping human hand would be appreciated too. Playing with them or giving them something to amuse themselves with would enrich their minds. It would also curb behavior such as pecking fellow chickens, which they are naturally disposed to do.
You don’t have to necessarily give them expensive toys. Maybe you just aren’t aware of it but you could already be giving them things to play with. But it never hurts to have more in your repertoire. So here six are cost-effective or costless things that you can give your chickens to make them cluck happily:

​You can’t totally prevent chickens from pecking. It’s part of their genetic make-up. What you can do though, is to redirect that pecking from their fellow birds to an object. Producers and other chicken owners suggest hanging objects from the roof of the coop, or on some apparatus when outside. Here are some examples:

• Hay nets

Just fill a net with hay. You can throw in some chicken feed too, if you want.

• Alfalfa blocks

 
It is useful as both a source of fiber and protein and as a foraging item.

• Plastic objects

 
Recycled old containers, disused wellington boots, and holey buckets could also keep your chickens occupied. Just make sure you wash them properly before giving them to your feathery pals. 

​Giving your chickens perches would liven up any coop. It is intrinsic in animal nature to establish hierarchy, so roosters especially would appreciate this. To keep them excited, you could change the perches every once in a while. It doesn’t have to be specially made; even a fallen log or a sturdy tree branch would do. A more fun perch like chicken swings would provide a lot of fun too!

​Dust bathing for chickens is essential. It is how they clean their feathers. You can make it more fun for them by supplying them with different options aside from the soil in their coop or surroundings.

• ­­­­Tires

 
Reuse old car tires and fill them with sand. They are good for use both inside the chicken houses or out in the range.

• Pre-approved Holes

 
Chickens like to scratch the ground and make holes to do their dust bathing in. Save them, and yourself, the trouble by digging holes in places where they can freely dust bath with your approval.

• Range Tents

 
You could also set up a shelter in the range where they can do their cleaning activity. At first, maybe only a few chickens would use it, but it could encourage others to utilize it too.
When creating dust baths, it is important to note that your fowl pals should have gotten used to a nesting place already. If not, then you might find eggs layed not in their nest boxes, but in dust baths. 

​Instead of giving treats or feeds to your chickens freely every time, throw in some fun with feed dispensers. You can use old plastic bottles for this. Just cut some holes in them, fill them with treats, and voila! You have a toy! Or if you want something more elaborate, there are dispensers sold in shops and other feeding accessories you can add to your chicken coop.

Aside from being nutritious toys, they double as pecking objects too. The most common fruit and veggie toys are cabbages, lettuces, berries, and beans. You can either tether them or let them roll on the coop floor. Don’t limit yourself to leaving your chickens at it though. It can be an interactive activity too. 

Let us not forget the chicks! To make growing up more exciting for them, give them small toys to play with. Those given to pet birds or kittens could work like small mice and balls. The more colorful the toy, the more they would enjoy it too. ​

But don’t coop yourself in with the toy ideas listed here. To come up with more interactive and entertaining toys, begin by learning more about your feathered friends and what makes them cluck! 

Image Source: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

​Author: Jordan Walker
Jordan is the lead content curator for Coops and Cages as well as a couple of other pet-related blogs. His passion for animals is only paired with his love for “attempting” to play the guitar. If you would like to catch more of him, you can by following his Twitter or Facebook accounts.

Chickens, whether raised urban or rural, offer a ton of benefits to the ones raising them. Aside from the nutritious free range eggs, you also get free fertilizer and fewer pests in the backyard. Jordan Walker, the lead content curator of Coops and Cages, shares a couple of celebrities who acknowledge the fact and raise poultry of their own.
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Oprah Winfrey
With a whopping $3 billion dollars to her name, you’d think Oprah would trouble herself less with chickens. However, it’s actually the exact opposite. Oprah’s neighbor, Penny Bianchi, got her hooked on fresh eggs one day. Now, she raises her very own backyard chickens in her expansive Montecito estate. Years ago, in fact, she tweeted a picture of herself with a basket of eggs and a quote saying, ‘Chickens are workin.’
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It shouldn’t be a surprise to find out that celebrities themselves raise their own chickens. Chickens are very entertaining to have as pets and are also very rewarding to owners who take good care of them. That’s why it is really important to keep on learning how to raise them properly.

​Image Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

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​Author: Jordan Walker
Jordan is the lead content curator for Coops and Cages as well as other pet-related blogs. His passion for animals is matched with his passion for “attempting” to play the guitar. If you would like to catch more of him, you can visit his Google+ or Twitter accounts.

Wanted: Lawyers with Chickens.  Or Chickens with Lawyers!  My July blog will be dedicated to my fellow lawyers with chickens.  I would love to spotlight you and your feathered friends.  J.D.s, retirees, and law students are all welcome to apply.  Please contact me for more details if interested: TheChickenLawyer@gmail.com.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is planning on changing the way inspections of poultry are conducted.   Currently, inspections are conducted by a team of federal inspectors.  These inspectors are stationed along the assembly lines in poultry plants and visually inspect the birds for defects.  However, the USDA is planning to dump the current system in favor of a program that is based on the "HACCP-Based Inspections Models Project" (HIMP).  

Proponents of the HIMP model favor it because it is designed to increase food safety and increase production.  HACCP, the acronym for "hazard analysis and critical control points," is a systematic preventive approach to food safety that reduces the risk of biological and chemical hazards to a safe level. However, as implemented the HIMP-modeled poultry inspection program may not provide the safeguards that it boasts.  In fact, not only may HIMP fail to ensure the safety of poultry, as implemented it may also increase the risk of poultry plant workers.  As a result, poultry businesses may risk increased lawsuits from consumers sickened from unhealthy poultry and from workers injured in the workplace.

Poultry Safety Concerns
With HIMP the role of federal inspectors is de-emphasized in favor of antimicrobial sprays and private inspectors.  The advantage of the HIMP system to the poultry industry is that it could save the industry over $256 million per year and speed up production.  The concept is attractive to the federal government not only because it is supposed to increase food safety, but also because it would save the government $30 million per year and result in the elimination of over 800 inspector jobs.

Consumer rights group Food & Water Watch (FWW) is not convinced that the HIMP system is a safe alternative for consumers.  Based on facts from the HIMP pilot program that FWW received through a Freedom of Information Act request, FWW concluded that private inspectors do a much less thorough job of inspecting poultry compared to governmental inspectors.  For example, the data collected from the pilot program shows that private inspectors miss many defects in poultry carcasses including defects in feathers, lungs, oil glands and trachea.  Private inspectors also miss bile that remains on carcasses.  As a result of these sub-par inspections, unhealthy chickens could enter the consumer market and end up in grocery stores.

In response to safety questions critics believe that the USDA has not presented a strong case that the HIMP system will ensure food safety to a significantly greater extent than the current system.  Even the General Accounting Office (GAO) criticized the USDA's lack of transparency on the issue and reliance on skeptical data.  

Worker Safety Concerns
In addition to questions about poultry safety the HIMP system brings concerns about worker safety.  The HIMP system requires workers to constantly handle sharp knives and use weighty antimicrobial sprays.  This work must be done in an environment with increased production levels.  The GAO has expressed concerns about worker safety.  In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has noted that, in general, workers in poultry plants suffer frequent musculoskeletal injuries.  Similarly, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recently reported that in one poultry plant 40% of workers showed signs of carpal tunnel syndrome.  With increased production, it is likely that such injuries will increase in both frequency and severity.

USDA Response to Criticism
Amidst criticism from advocacy groups as well as the GAO, a high-ranking official with the USDA defends  the HIMP system.  Elisabeth Hagen, undersecretary for food safety at USDA, argues that the evidence is clear that food safety is not compromised in plants that are in the pilot HIMP program.  Hagen notes that the USDA would not propose to expand the program if it did not further food safety.  USDA data shows that inspectors in HIMP establishments check for contaminants more often and find it less often than non-HIMP establishments.  As for worker safety, Hagen dismisses the concern that the increase in production in HIMP establishments would put workers at risk by pointing out that there is no evidence to support that claim.  Finally, Hagen implies that the HIMP initiative is actually good for inspectors who end up losing their jobs since they will all be offered new, higher paying positions within the Food Safety Inspection Service.   

Despite the concerns related to both the safety of the poultry and the safety of plant workers raised not only by consumer groups, but also by government agencies, the current administration appears intent on moving forward with a plan that it announced in January 2012 to expand the HIMP process from just 29 chicken, turkey and hog plants to all U.S. poultry plants.

Do you think the HIMP system is flawed, or that the way it has been implemented is flawed?  Is it a matter that the private inspectors have not been trained well enough and that they lack the experience of the government inspectors?

We are hunting high and low for you! You and your witty chicken stories.  You and your brilliant chicken photo collages.  You and your chicken recipes!  Even your cutting edge legal analysis of the commerce clause.  Your musings never sounded better than on TheChickenLawyer.com!  Email inquiries to TheChickenLawyer@gmail.com!

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