The Bougie Coop: Keeping Chickens in Smaller Spaces

A quick breed spotlight on a lesser known fibromelanistic chicken: the Svarthöna. 

A look into some common supplements used by chicken keepers for parasite control.  Do they actually work? The Bougie Coop is sponsored by Eden Feeds.   Links to studies referenced:  Red Pepper (capsaicin): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9495104/ (as antibiotic activity and good for gut health) https://kkgpublications.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ijaps.5.50004-2.pdf (effect on parasites) Pumpkin seeds: https://academic.oup.com/jas/article/103/Supplement_1/268/8139035 (No effect) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283678017_Evaluation_of_the_anthelmintic_activity_of_pumpkin_seeds_Cucurbita_maxima_in_mice_naturall https://cast.desu.edu/sites/cars/files/document/16/pumpkin_seeds-worms_djo.pdf No effect https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10209233/ no effect laying hens https://meridian.allenpress.com/avian-diseases/article/69/1/74/505621/Effect-of-Supplementation-with-Artemisia No effect at doses that would be commonly given to backyard hens   Garlic: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09712119.2019.1573731#d1e2387 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10854602/ https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/22/3185 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304401721002740 Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8136961/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30450876/ Wormwood: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7070545/ (in sheep) https://ijvar.org/index.php/ijvar/article/view/550/464 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/03079457.2024.2342882?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed#abstract https://academicjournals.org/article/article1384248573_Seddiek%20et%20al.pdf https://poultrydvm.com/supplement/wormwood Diatomaceous Earth: https://www.wpsa-aeca.es/aeca_imgs_docs/15369_com-11.pdf

We discuss one of the most difficult aspects of keeping chickens: euthanizing a sick or injured bird.   More information about humane euthanasia for chickens: UC Davis Poultry Euthanasia Guidelines Chicken Farmers of Canada On-Farm Chicken Euthanasia Guidelines      

It's that time of year again when everyone asks: "Do chickens need heat?"   The Bougie Coop proudly feeds and is sponsored by Eden Feeds: Montana grown, non-GMO ingredients. https://www.edenfeeds.com/ We are edited and made to sound better by Landis Podcast Editing.  https://www.landispodcastediting.com/  Thanks, Jared! For those who love to nerd out, here's some science: https://modernpoultry.media/cold-temperatures-can-have-severe-consequences-for-poultry-health-and-welfare/?mp=1761680868201 https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/12/1769 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/animal-science/articles/10.3389/fanim.2021.775311/full https://extension.umn.edu/small-scale-poultry/caring-chickens-cold-weather Sweeter Heater, made in the USA and the safest way to supply heat to your livestock: https://www.sweeterheater.com For those who don’t want to spend as much (or who can’t) on a Sweeter Heater, Premier 1 has introduced a safety switch on their heat lamps.  It will cut the power if the lamp ends up at an unsafe angle.  I have not used it, but I do like the fact that it has this safety feature and I think this would make it a better option than other heat lamps. https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/prima-heat-lamp  

The weather is cooling off and soon it’s going to be the dark days of winter. Now is the time to prep your coop and your girls, and make your winter keeping a little easier! The Bougie Coop proudly feeds and is sponsored by Eden Feeds: Montana grown, non-GMO ingredients. https://www.edenfeeds.com/ We are edited and made to sound better by Landis Podcast Editing.  https://www.landispodcastediting.com/  Thanks, Jared!   Link to odor eating enzymes I use and recommend: Carefree Enzymes Poultry Odor Digester https://www.chewy.com/carefree-enzymes-poultry-coop-odor/ For those of us who want to nerd out on why wearing a respirator or mask is important when cleaning your coop, here ya go: Bird Fancier’s Lung: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7724370/#:~:text=Acute%2520or%2520subacute%252 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird_fancier%27s_lung Histoplasmosis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histoplasmosis Aspergillosis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspergillosis    

The basics of feeding your flock!     The Bougie Coop proudly feeds and is sponsored by Eden Feeds: Montana grown, non-GMO ingredients. https://www.edenfeeds.com/ We are edited and made to sound better by Landis Podcast Editing.  https://www.landispodcastediting.com/  Thanks, Jared!

Thinking about fermenting your chicken feed?  This episode is for you!  I explain what fermentation is, the common types we use, how easy it is to do it, and the benefits if gives your chickens. For those of us who like to nerd out, here are some links to get into even more detail on gut biome and how it effects our companion animals: Effects of heat stress on the gut health of poultry: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7323259/ Gut microbiome influences poultry welfare: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10177538/ Gut microbiome influences poultry welfare: http://modernpoultry.media/gut-microbiome-influences-poultry-welfare/?mp=1760312269386 Impact of probiotics on chicken gut microbiota, immunity, behavior, and productive performance—a systematic review: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/animal-science/articles/10.3389/fanim.2025.1562527/full   The Bougie Coop proudly feeds and is sponsored by Eden Feeds: Montana grown, non-GMO ingredients. https://www.edenfeeds.com/ We are edited and made to sound better by Landis Podcast Editing.  https://www.landispodcastediting.com/  Thanks, Jared!  

Our first breed spotlight showcases the very bougie Salmon Faverolles!   The Bougie Coop proudly feeds and is sponsored by Eden Feeds: Montana grown, non-GMO ingredients. https://www.edenfeeds.com/ We are edited and made to sound better by Landis Podcast Editing.  https://www.landispodcastediting.com/  Thanks, Jared!    

It's hot out there!  Here are some tips to help your girls beat the heat.     The Bougie Coop proudly feeds and is sponsored by Eden Feeds: Montana grown, non-GMO ingredients. https://www.edenfeeds.com/ We are edited and made to sound better by Landis Podcast Editing.  https://www.landispodcastediting.com/  Thanks, Jared!

We discuss options for substrate, feeders, and waterers for your girls.        The Bougie Coop proudly feeds and is sponsored by Eden Feeds: Montana grown, non-GMO ingredients. https://www.edenfeeds.com/ We are edited and made to sound better by Landis Podcast Editing.  https://www.landispodcastediting.com/  Thanks, Jared!

We discuss housing your girls in the suburbs in smaller spaces and some issues that are more common in suburbia.       The Bougie Coop proudly feeds and is sponsored by Eden Feeds: Montana grown, non-GMO ingredients. https://www.edenfeeds.com/ We are edited and made to sound better by Landis Podcast Editing.  https://www.landispodcastediting.com/  Thanks, Jared!