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Silkie Bantam Chickens in the Breed Spotlight

A White Silkie Hens sitting next to a cat

The details of exactly when and how Silkie bantam chickens came into being have been lost in the mists of time. The breed was first mentioned by Marco Polo, who wrote about “chickens with fur-like feathers and black skin” in his 13th century report of his explorations in Asia. Most likely Silkie chickens existed long […]

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The Coronavirus Pandemic Is Renewing Interest in Raising Backyard Chickens

The Coronavirus Pandemic is Renewing Interest in Backyard Chickens

The coronavirus pandemic has shut down businesses, closed schools, and disrupted supply chains. It has also led to a dramatic increase in chick sales.    “We are totally swamped,” says Jeff Smith of Cackle Hatchery. “It’s a little overwhelming.”    Indeed, at Cackle Hatchery alone, sales have doubled over the previous year as more and […]

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Rutgers Outreach Program Brings Chickens to Suburbs in NJ

Rutgers Outreach Program Brings Chickens to Suburbs in NJ

As concerns about the ethical implications of factory farming operations have come to the forefront of society’s consciousness, more and more Americans are becoming interested in producing their own food in order to free themselves from reliance on store-bought alternatives. In an effort to educate suburbanites about the viability of backyard farming operations, Rutgers has […]

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