First of all, I would like to thank @Pampered chicken girl , @Meri Maura , @Kiki , @SummerTheAnimalGirl ,@Summer_ ,@Tookie , and @Lacy Duckwing for making this dream possible. Your help is appreciated greatly.
Hen of the Month: Lacy Duckwing’s Crossbeak Amber
Featured:
Sparkle’s Fashion Meri’s Kitchen - World’s Hen of the month:
Boutique: St. Patrick’s Best Fried Rice Lacy Duckwing’s
Day - Pg. 2 Pg. 5 Crossbeak Amber
Pg. 3-4
Sparkle’s Fashion Boutique
St. Patrick’s Day
By @shabby chic-hens and @Meri Maura
Hen of the Month: @lacy Duckwing’s Crossbeak Amber
By @Pampered chicken girl
What are some special care requirements Amber has?
I have to file her beak every 2-4 weeks. I use a regular emery board nail file to file it down. Sometimes it needs a trim too, and that's when I use nail clippers. I use different-shaped nail clippers for different parts of her beak. I also clean any food that's stuck in her beak during the filing.
How long have you been taking care of her?
I've been taking care of her since she was a few days old. When she was about a couple of weeks old, I tried an experimental treatment to get her beak straight. That treatment was me putting her beaks opposite of what they were, and holding them like that for as long as she'd allow me. I did that at least once a day. After a few weeks of the treatment with no obvious improvements, I tried a brace on her. I couldn't get the brace to stay, so I canceled the rest of the treatment. The experimental treatment that I tried on Amber I first did years ago on my first crossbeak, Marvalo I. Marvalo's beak wasn't nearly as bad as Amber's, and the treatment worked well for her.
When Amber was a couple of months old, I started filing her beak down regularly, every two weeks. I wanted to do my best to keep her beak from getting too long, plus I wanted her to get used to the filing at an early age. Since she has reached maturity, I don't file her beak as much, but more as needed.
When did you start parenting disabled chickens?
My first disabled chicken was Marvalo I, an EE. I got her as a chick in my first year of chickens (2011). I never realized she had crossbeak until she was a few months old. All I did with her was the experimental treatment that I tried with Amber, and it fixed her beak to where her crossbeak wasn't noticeable anymore. Around 3-4 years later, I got an Isa Brown hen, Lauren, who also had crossbeak. Lauren came to me permanently debeaked, so she didn't require any special care.
In 2016, my hen, Joy, hatched a crippled chick named Kai. He had one leg that was stuck in front of him and it was paralyzed. I made him a hobble, but it proved useless. He was allowed to stay with his family until they moved in with the flock. After that, my hen, Nalla, adopted him at 3 months old and was with him until his death about a month or less later. Kai was the most disabled chicken I've ever owned.
Since Kai, I hadn’t had any disabled chickens until Amber, who I got on April 23, 2022. On that same day I got Amber, I got a chick named Lilac, who is also an EE. Lilac appeared normal until she was a few months old when her toes started to get crooked. I put bandages on her toes in an attempt to fix them, but it didn't work. Her toes have gotten a little worse since hand. (Both Lilac and Amber are in the same flock, with Amber above Lilac in the pecking order.)
Amber in the nesting box.
Fluffy Butt Friday!
By @Summer_
We all love to see those floofy behinds of other’s feathered friends. Here are a few of the team’s favorites!
If you would like to be featured in the next edition of The Poultry Life, please PM one of the members of our team with your chicken’s name, and a picture of him/her. Featured in this edition are:
Perdita from RebeccaBoyd
Wee Marty from PonyPoor
Odile from Shabby Chic-Hens
The Puppy Kisses Corner
By Shabby Chic-Hens
Hello, all canine lovers! Whether you are planning on getting a furry friend soon, or already have your four-legged companion, there is nothing like the joyous barks that your dog gives you when you get home.
This month, we have a very special guest here! Please welcome Haven, @cluckmecoop7’s Maltipoo puppy!
Clucky got this adorable baby on October 28th, 2022. She was named after Fair Haven Camps. Two of Haven’s favorite things to do are zoomies, and go on walks with her owner.
Meri’s Kitchen
World’s best Fried Rice
By @Meri Maura
Makes about 4 servings (a serving is a big bowl full!)
Hello peeps! I’m Meri! I’m the editor for The Poultry Life, and I also write a page on some of my best recipes!
There is no comparison to how delectable this recipe is. It is better than the finest Asian restaurants in the Houston area, and at a much lower price. For meat, I use either my Garlic Butter Shrimp or Miracle Chicken recipe, and the flavors of the meat shine through the seasoned rice wonderfully. It's such a big hit with my family that I prepare this dish for them at least once a week.
Ingredients:
1-2 chicken breasts, chopped(See recipe for Meri's Miracle Chicken here) or about 20 large shrimps, cut into pieces (See recipe for Garlic Butter Shrimp here)
2-3 cups cooked white rice (this is an excellent way to use leftovers, or cook it fresh for softness)
1/4 cup peas (frozen is fine, do not use canned, they will turn out very mushy)
1/4 cup chopped carrots (fresh or frozen works well)
1/3 cup corn (canned, frozen, or cooked from fresh are all fine)
1/3 cup peanut oil (you can substitute olive or vegetable oil)
1/4 cup freshly chopped onions
1 foot long bunching onion leaf (chives are a good substitute) cut into small slices using scissors.
A long drizzle of sesame oil
Oyster Sauce to taste, less if using chicken
Soy sauce, about 1/2 cup or to taste
4-6 eggs (because if you're here you probably have too many eggs)
Instructions
1. Heat a large wok (stainless steel skillet substitute) to medium high heat.
2. Add peanut oil, then rice.
3. Stir well to coat the rice in peanut oil.
4. Add soy sauce, generally until the rice is light brown (taste it). Stir well, then add oyster sauce and sesame oil. Note: while cooking, always move around the rice to evenly cook it.
5. Push rice to the sides of the pan and drizzle some more oil into the center of the wok or pan, which should be exposed.
6. Put eggs into the center of the wok or pan. Cook while mixing the eggs together with a spatula.
7. Once the eggs are cooked, stir them into the rice and add the veggies. Cook for several more minutes.
8. Add the shrimps or chicken and continue cooking for a few more minutes.
9. Serve immediately, refrigerating leftovers once cooled.
Ask Aunt Maisie!
By @shabby chic-hens
Your letters can be sent in the thread “send me your chicken letters!”
Send in your issues to get advice from shabby and be featured in The Poultry Life!
Dear Aunt Maisie,
I am a goose hen. I love my keepers. I greet them every day and love to be around them. They feed me and talk to me and give me water. But sometimes they try to touch me, especially when I’m eating or cornered! I hate this, and I run away. Why do they do this?
Sincerely,
Cocoa from @Amer’s flock.
Dear Cocoa,
You sound like a wonderful goose. Your owners are very lucky! They just are showing their appreciation by holding you. It’s a pretty common thing with poultry keepers. Your human may also be giving you checkups to make sure you are healthy! All it is is a little sign of their love for you!
All my love to you and your flock!
Aunt Maisie
Dear Aunt Maisie
My name is Luna. I am a blueish black mixed breed hen. I live with 2 roosters and a hen. The hens name is Stella. I am very scared of her. She's always been bigger than me, and I haven't challenged her authority. Recently she was attacked by a dog, and she is now injured and can't walk well. My owner was feeding her and I was really hungry so I went over to eat the crumbs. Stella saw me and stared at me, and it was super scary! I thought she was going to peck me.....I later overheard my owner calling me a "beta type". What should I do? Stella is better now and she likes to peck me. The roosters aren't helping whatsoever.
Lost and hopeless,
Luna from @Meri Maura’s flock
Dear Luna .
I’m very sorry to hear that Stella was injured.
It sounds like you are at the bottom of your pecking order. Most of the sweetest hens are there. If you are not getting enough food, try telling your human about it. Chicken is a pretty easy language to learn, with the right teacher, and signs are great too! If that doesn’t work, maybe ask one of the roosters about it. One of them might be able to help you.
All my love to your coop!
Aunt Maisie
Dear Aunt Maisie
I am sad because I am always hurting. I pretend to lay eggs in the nest box but nothing comes out. My belly is full and I am fat. What should I do?
Fatty Patty the Road Island Brown from @kiki’s flock
Dear Patty.
I think you may need to go on a diet. You are probably slightly overweight. There are many posts on social media platforms for exercise routines for chickens, and I’m sure one will be just right for you.
Keep up the good work! All my love to you and your flock!
Aunt Maisie
Meet the creators: Interview with Shabby
Hi! I am @shabby chic-hens, also known as Shabby, or Shabs. I can sometimes come off as sharp (hence my nickname, Stabby), but I’m really nice once you get to know me! I keep chickens, and do stop motion and photo stories with my dolls!
How many chickens do you have?
I currently own 25 chickens.
How long have you had chickens?
I’ve kept chickens for about seven years.
Do you have any other animals?
Yes. I also have eight Muscovy ducks, as well as a puppy!
Effie, Shabby’s four-year-old Coton De Tulear puppy. Image credit @shabby chic-hens
A picture from one of Shabby’s photo stories, “The Snow Queens”. Image Credit @shabby chic-hens
Are you considering purchasing more poultry? Definitely! I really want some Guinea fowl, more ducks, and lots more chickens. Maybe even some geese and turkeys. I also need some naked neck frizzle chickens. They are the best!
Why did you decide to make The Poultry Life? I love writing. I was inspired by a homework assignment for making a fake local newspaper, and then I had the idea to make one for BYC! My friends encouraged me to publish it on BYC, and we decided to make it an official newspaper.
Hen of the Month: Lacy Duckwing’s Crossbeak Amber
| Her name is Amber, and she's an EE (Easter Egger). She was named after another EE that I used to own, whose name was Copper Amber. Both Copper Amber and Amber looked very similar as chicks, so I thought Amber was going to grow up looking like Copper Amber, hence why she was named after her. To my surprise, Amber grew up looking nothing like Copper Amber, and instead, she has a color pattern that I've never had on an EE before. She is 9 months old, and she likes making herself at home in my house. I first noticed her disability on the ride home with her when I got her and some other chicks. Continued on Pg. 3 | 
Happy poultry free ranging. Image credit @Meri Maura |
Featured:
Sparkle’s Fashion Meri’s Kitchen - World’s Hen of the month:
Boutique: St. Patrick’s Best Fried Rice Lacy Duckwing’s
Day - Pg. 2 Pg. 5 Crossbeak Amber
Pg. 3-4
Sparkle’s Fashion Boutique
St. Patrick’s Day
By @shabby chic-hens and @Meri Maura
Meri the Easter Egger sporting a St. Patrick’s themed taillace. Image credit @Meri Maura Also trending this issue is Boomslang, a Whiting True Green hen. She is 2 years of age and loves wattle rubs. She is also a chicken swing enthusiast. In the photo she is sporting a silver and gold bead necklace paired with platinum sunglasses which won the 2/3/2023 caption contest. I love the metallic theme. Sleek and modern. Her sense of fashion is honored amongst pullets and hens alike this St. Patty’s day and Mardi Gras. She has been copied numerous times since the image went viral on social media platforms Insta Cluck and Backyard Chickens. On the latter, there was a caption contest. The winner was @SallyPB with a caption of “Hey, kids... Mom has a date. You be good for the sitter, ok?” | Happy St. Patrick’s Day, fellow fowl friends! I’m @shabby chic-hens, also known as Shabby. I am The Poultry Life’s creator and I also write the Sparkle’s Fashion Boutique and Ask Aunt Maisie pages. I write commentary and explain the latest fowl fashion trends. Let’s look at some of this month’s fabulous fashions! First we have Meri the Easter Egger wearing a rainbow beaded taillace! Very sophisticated. This season Meri decided to try and influence the modeling world by uploading this photo to Instacluck on Friday. The post interestingly never made it onto BYC. She continues to influence spring fashion and has hinted at a new line of tutus this easter. 
Latest fashion trends include sunglasses and costume necklaces. Image credit @heatherbeast |
Hen of the Month: @lacy Duckwing’s Crossbeak Amber
By @Pampered chicken girl
What are some special care requirements Amber has?
I have to file her beak every 2-4 weeks. I use a regular emery board nail file to file it down. Sometimes it needs a trim too, and that's when I use nail clippers. I use different-shaped nail clippers for different parts of her beak. I also clean any food that's stuck in her beak during the filing.
How long have you been taking care of her?
I've been taking care of her since she was a few days old. When she was about a couple of weeks old, I tried an experimental treatment to get her beak straight. That treatment was me putting her beaks opposite of what they were, and holding them like that for as long as she'd allow me. I did that at least once a day. After a few weeks of the treatment with no obvious improvements, I tried a brace on her. I couldn't get the brace to stay, so I canceled the rest of the treatment. The experimental treatment that I tried on Amber I first did years ago on my first crossbeak, Marvalo I. Marvalo's beak wasn't nearly as bad as Amber's, and the treatment worked well for her.
When Amber was a couple of months old, I started filing her beak down regularly, every two weeks. I wanted to do my best to keep her beak from getting too long, plus I wanted her to get used to the filing at an early age. Since she has reached maturity, I don't file her beak as much, but more as needed.
When did you start parenting disabled chickens?
My first disabled chicken was Marvalo I, an EE. I got her as a chick in my first year of chickens (2011). I never realized she had crossbeak until she was a few months old. All I did with her was the experimental treatment that I tried with Amber, and it fixed her beak to where her crossbeak wasn't noticeable anymore. Around 3-4 years later, I got an Isa Brown hen, Lauren, who also had crossbeak. Lauren came to me permanently debeaked, so she didn't require any special care.
In 2016, my hen, Joy, hatched a crippled chick named Kai. He had one leg that was stuck in front of him and it was paralyzed. I made him a hobble, but it proved useless. He was allowed to stay with his family until they moved in with the flock. After that, my hen, Nalla, adopted him at 3 months old and was with him until his death about a month or less later. Kai was the most disabled chicken I've ever owned.
Since Kai, I hadn’t had any disabled chickens until Amber, who I got on April 23, 2022. On that same day I got Amber, I got a chick named Lilac, who is also an EE. Lilac appeared normal until she was a few months old when her toes started to get crooked. I put bandages on her toes in an attempt to fix them, but it didn't work. Her toes have gotten a little worse since hand. (Both Lilac and Amber are in the same flock, with Amber above Lilac in the pecking order.)
Amber in the nesting box.
Fluffy Butt Friday!
By @Summer_
We all love to see those floofy behinds of other’s feathered friends. Here are a few of the team’s favorites!
If you would like to be featured in the next edition of The Poultry Life, please PM one of the members of our team with your chicken’s name, and a picture of him/her. Featured in this edition are:
Perdita from RebeccaBoyd
Wee Marty from PonyPoor
Odile from Shabby Chic-Hens
The Puppy Kisses Corner
By Shabby Chic-Hens
Hello, all canine lovers! Whether you are planning on getting a furry friend soon, or already have your four-legged companion, there is nothing like the joyous barks that your dog gives you when you get home.
This month, we have a very special guest here! Please welcome Haven, @cluckmecoop7’s Maltipoo puppy!
Clucky got this adorable baby on October 28th, 2022. She was named after Fair Haven Camps. Two of Haven’s favorite things to do are zoomies, and go on walks with her owner.
Meri’s Kitchen
World’s best Fried Rice
By @Meri Maura
Makes about 4 servings (a serving is a big bowl full!)
Hello peeps! I’m Meri! I’m the editor for The Poultry Life, and I also write a page on some of my best recipes!
There is no comparison to how delectable this recipe is. It is better than the finest Asian restaurants in the Houston area, and at a much lower price. For meat, I use either my Garlic Butter Shrimp or Miracle Chicken recipe, and the flavors of the meat shine through the seasoned rice wonderfully. It's such a big hit with my family that I prepare this dish for them at least once a week.
Ingredients:
1-2 chicken breasts, chopped(See recipe for Meri's Miracle Chicken here) or about 20 large shrimps, cut into pieces (See recipe for Garlic Butter Shrimp here)
2-3 cups cooked white rice (this is an excellent way to use leftovers, or cook it fresh for softness)
1/4 cup peas (frozen is fine, do not use canned, they will turn out very mushy)
1/4 cup chopped carrots (fresh or frozen works well)
1/3 cup corn (canned, frozen, or cooked from fresh are all fine)
1/3 cup peanut oil (you can substitute olive or vegetable oil)
1/4 cup freshly chopped onions
1 foot long bunching onion leaf (chives are a good substitute) cut into small slices using scissors.
A long drizzle of sesame oil
Oyster Sauce to taste, less if using chicken
Soy sauce, about 1/2 cup or to taste
4-6 eggs (because if you're here you probably have too many eggs)
Instructions
1. Heat a large wok (stainless steel skillet substitute) to medium high heat.
2. Add peanut oil, then rice.
3. Stir well to coat the rice in peanut oil.
4. Add soy sauce, generally until the rice is light brown (taste it). Stir well, then add oyster sauce and sesame oil. Note: while cooking, always move around the rice to evenly cook it.
5. Push rice to the sides of the pan and drizzle some more oil into the center of the wok or pan, which should be exposed.
6. Put eggs into the center of the wok or pan. Cook while mixing the eggs together with a spatula.
7. Once the eggs are cooked, stir them into the rice and add the veggies. Cook for several more minutes.
8. Add the shrimps or chicken and continue cooking for a few more minutes.
9. Serve immediately, refrigerating leftovers once cooled.
Ask Aunt Maisie!
By @shabby chic-hens
Your letters can be sent in the thread “send me your chicken letters!”
Send in your issues to get advice from shabby and be featured in The Poultry Life!
Dear Aunt Maisie,
I am a goose hen. I love my keepers. I greet them every day and love to be around them. They feed me and talk to me and give me water. But sometimes they try to touch me, especially when I’m eating or cornered! I hate this, and I run away. Why do they do this?
Sincerely,
Cocoa from @Amer’s flock.
Dear Cocoa,
You sound like a wonderful goose. Your owners are very lucky! They just are showing their appreciation by holding you. It’s a pretty common thing with poultry keepers. Your human may also be giving you checkups to make sure you are healthy! All it is is a little sign of their love for you!
All my love to you and your flock!
Aunt Maisie
Dear Aunt Maisie
My name is Luna. I am a blueish black mixed breed hen. I live with 2 roosters and a hen. The hens name is Stella. I am very scared of her. She's always been bigger than me, and I haven't challenged her authority. Recently she was attacked by a dog, and she is now injured and can't walk well. My owner was feeding her and I was really hungry so I went over to eat the crumbs. Stella saw me and stared at me, and it was super scary! I thought she was going to peck me.....I later overheard my owner calling me a "beta type". What should I do? Stella is better now and she likes to peck me. The roosters aren't helping whatsoever.
Lost and hopeless,
Luna from @Meri Maura’s flock
Dear Luna .
I’m very sorry to hear that Stella was injured.
It sounds like you are at the bottom of your pecking order. Most of the sweetest hens are there. If you are not getting enough food, try telling your human about it. Chicken is a pretty easy language to learn, with the right teacher, and signs are great too! If that doesn’t work, maybe ask one of the roosters about it. One of them might be able to help you.
All my love to your coop!
Aunt Maisie
Dear Aunt Maisie
I am sad because I am always hurting. I pretend to lay eggs in the nest box but nothing comes out. My belly is full and I am fat. What should I do?
Fatty Patty the Road Island Brown from @kiki’s flock
Dear Patty.
I think you may need to go on a diet. You are probably slightly overweight. There are many posts on social media platforms for exercise routines for chickens, and I’m sure one will be just right for you.
Keep up the good work! All my love to you and your flock!
Aunt Maisie
Meet the creators: Interview with Shabby
Hi! I am @shabby chic-hens, also known as Shabby, or Shabs. I can sometimes come off as sharp (hence my nickname, Stabby), but I’m really nice once you get to know me! I keep chickens, and do stop motion and photo stories with my dolls!
How many chickens do you have?
I currently own 25 chickens.
How long have you had chickens?
I’ve kept chickens for about seven years.
Do you have any other animals?
Yes. I also have eight Muscovy ducks, as well as a puppy!
Effie, Shabby’s four-year-old Coton De Tulear puppy. Image credit @shabby chic-hens
A picture from one of Shabby’s photo stories, “The Snow Queens”. Image Credit @shabby chic-hens
Are you considering purchasing more poultry? Definitely! I really want some Guinea fowl, more ducks, and lots more chickens. Maybe even some geese and turkeys. I also need some naked neck frizzle chickens. They are the best!
Why did you decide to make The Poultry Life? I love writing. I was inspired by a homework assignment for making a fake local newspaper, and then I had the idea to make one for BYC! My friends encouraged me to publish it on BYC, and we decided to make it an official newspaper.
