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this post was submitted on 14 Aug 2026
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Backyard Chickens (and Other Birds)
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2 users here now
[Were you a mod of backyard chickens on Reddit? Message me if you're interested in modding here.]
This is a community for people who keep chickens in their back yard. This includes pets, layers, and meaties at levels that are sub-industrial. Family farms and homesteads are included.
EDIT
The Fediverse is small. There probably aren't enough people here to make up a community for every type of bird that someone might keep so for now, everyone is welcome. Bring us your ducks and geese, turkeys and quail, Guineas and Peacocks, emus and parrots. The community will be focused on chickens but until there are enough of each bird community for their own community they will find care and comfort here.
/EDIT
There may be discussions of animal processing. This is part of chicken keeping. If you don't like it leave and block the community.
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RULES:
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All Lemmy.ca rules apply here.
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Everyone (see rules 4 and 98) is welcome.
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If you've seen a question 100 times answer it the 101st time or ignore it. Even better, write a complete, detailed answer and suggest that the mod(s) pin it to the community.
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There will be ZERO tolerance for shaming, brigading, harassment, or other nonsense of those who keep and process chickens. You will be permanently banned the first time.
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No, it's not a calcium deficiency. Wrinkled eggs are the result of insufficient or insufficiently viscous albumen. Tiny eggs and missing shells are misfires. They happen.
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If you post a picture that includes a dead animal or blood mark it NSFW. We're not going to tolerate the militant anti-hunting and anti-farming bullshit here but we're also not going to tolerate people rubbing their hunting and harvesting in people's faces. See rule 98. If you post blood, gore, or dead animals and don't mark it NSFW it will be removed and you might be banned.
[Did you actually think there were 98 rules?]
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If you present something as fact and are asked to provide proof or a source provide proof or a source. Proof must be from a reliable source. If you fail to provide proof or a source your post or comment may be removed.
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Don't be a dick. Yes, this is a catch-all rule.
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The mod(s) have the final say.
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When I raused young chicks (in a big cage, not a brooder), I just put an old towel on the floor and had a stick to sit on for them. And of course a heat plate, but I guess you don't need that in a brooder.
Sorry, I'm brand new to this, mine is a big cage with a brooding lamp. I thought the whole thing was called a brooder.
Did you clean the stick?
I think I searched too much, now I'm back between not knowing, as people on Reddit (I could only view for a minute before a big advert to join blocks the forum) are saying that the sticks or branches need to be cleaned with warm water and soap, and thoroughly dried out.
is this overkill due to 'influencers' influence, or is it a genuine thing?
Lacking hens would be the main reason that I am using a brooding lamp etc. otherwise I'm firmly of the belief of caring things for as they would be reared or treated in nature, naturally..
I will try to add photos today.
I just used some piece of slat I had laying around, just make sure there are no splinters and the corners are somewhat rounded, use some sand paper to remove the sharp edges. It really doesn't matter that much. Another comment mentioned saw dust or straw, but be careful with that because lice also like it.
Thanks.. no Slat lying around, will get something later. was hoping a branch of something, but maybe safer to use a bit of cleaner wood.
I don't think it really matters that much, in the wild chickens will just sleep in trees. If you go for a branch, just make sure it's clean, fresh cut or debarked without cracks.