Chickens: Basic Care and Facts Quiz

Answer: citrus fruit

Chickens are NOT picky eaters, and they love to eat. Instinctively, they know what foods to avoid. Here is a quick list of foods chickens shouldn't eat: citrus, green potatoes, dry beans, avocado pits or skin, chocolate, or anything rotten or moldy.

Answer: makes their eggs stronger

Calcium is an important nutrient for laying hens. Most layer feed is supplemented with calcium to keep their diet balanced. Calcium deficiency can lead to soft beaks and missing feathers as well as soft-shelled eggs. Hens can be fed oyster shell or crushed egg shells to boost their calcium levels.

Answer: by dancing

When feeling romantic, roosters will do a little shuffling dance with one wing lowered. If the hen is receptive and feels dominated, she will crouch for him. Roosters will mate multiple hens per day.

Answer: False

Unfortunately for chicken owners, this is completely false! Roosters will crow at any time of the day and sometimes even at night if awoken or disturbed. Roosters crow as a way to mark their territory and tell other roosters they are there.

Answer: It is heat hardy.

Though most roosters do have big combs, even hens can have a big comb depending on the individual bird. Because of this, comb size is not a surefire way to sex a chicken. While the size and color of a comb can indicate health, a large comb is nothing to worry about, as long as it is not swollen. If they are shrunken or pale, it could mean a number of things, such as the chicken is molting or sick. Large combs do help chickens to regulate their body heat, so a large comb is good for a bird in a hot climate.

Answer: paralysis of legs

Usually, chicks are vaccinated against Marek's disease when they first hatch, but even if they are vaccinated, they can still be carriers of the disease. There is no treatment, and it is very contagious. Because of this, it can wipe out a flock. Marek's disease is both neurological and physical. Along with paralysis, other symptoms include weight loss, irregular pupils, and internal lesions and tumors.

The disease usually only affects birds under a year old.

Answer: to bathe

Chickens wash themselves by taking dirt baths. Because of this, to stay clean and parasite-free, chickens must have access to loose dirt or diatomaceous earth. The dirt helps to absorb oils in their feathers and kills parasites.

Answer: False

When a chick has splayed legs, or spraddle leg, they appear to be doing the splits and cannot stand properly. They can hatch with this issue or can develop it afterward if they walk on a slippery surface. Splayed leg CAN be rectified if treated right away. The chick would have to be put in leg braces for one to two days.

Answer: crop

The crop is a storage pouch found between the beak and stomach, located in the breast of the chicken. The state of the crop can be an indicator of health. If chickens are eating healthily and have grit to help break down their food, the crop should feel firm and full of food. If it is soft, squishy, or smells bad, there may be an issue.

Answer: scaly leg mites

Scaly leg mites are a parasitic issue with chickens and a sign of the bird's cleanliness. If chickens are not able to dirt bathe or live in filthy conditions, they may become a host to these pests. To treat scaly leg mites, a chicken's feet and legs must be slathered with Vaseline or coconut oil, which suffocates the bugs.

As mentioned, chickens need a good place to dirt bathe to prevent this issue.