Hen health checklist

Observation is the key to success not only in your garden but for keeping your chooks healthy.

Heritage hens

The top performers of yesteryear, heritage poultry breeds are slow-growing, long-laying and one of the keys to our long-term food security.

Can you feed your chooks on insects alone?

Chooks love foraging for bugs in the garden, but poultry can’t live on insects alone, and some invertebrates are better choices than others. Our chook expert talks snails, worms and slugs.

Spring poultry care

Spring is a delightful time in the poultry yard with hens back on the lay and, for those who keep a rooster, perhaps even chicks to enjoy. These tips will help you make the most of this time.

Buying chooks? Here’s some tips

If you are new to chook keeping, or thinking about adding some hens to your house, here's what to look for.

Caring for chooks in winter

Winter chills and short days will have an effect on your chooks, so read on to find out how to keep them healthy and happy.

Hybrid hens

Jessamy Miller explores the pros and cons of keeping hybrid chooks and how they stack up against pure breeds.

Storing chicken feed for maximum nutrition

Don't waste your chook nosh. Use Jessamy Miller's best-practice storage tips.

Easy ways to maximise egg lay in your hens

Want eggs for brekky year round? Here's how, writes Jessamy Miller.

The best nest

Jessamy Miller investigates nest boxes, from size and siting to keeping them clean, in the hen house.

Off the lay?

Chooks laying yet? It’s the question on everyone’s lips as spring approaches, writes JESSAMY MILLER.

Tanks, but no tanks

While it may be cute, an upcycled water tank doesn’t make a very good hen house, writes JESSAMY MILLER.