LocalNews1 has partnered with The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack to bring you a story every Monday taken from current or past editions of the Almanack. First published in 1797, it’s the second oldest almanac in the United States and has been in continuous publication for 230 years and is the only almanac in the United States still published by the founders’ direct descendants.
For many of us, chicken is a stable part of our diet. Whether it is in a salad, a sandwich, fried to perfection, or cooked on the grill. But how much do we know about chickens and their other feathered friends in the poultry market? Here are some inside facts direct from the Poultry Notes section of the 2026 Almanack.
“Just like humans, chickens experience stress for various reasons like predator threats, poor nutrition, and overcrowding. Stress signals can include a decline in egg production, excessive picking at feathers, and lessened social interaction.”
“Ducks will lay anywhere from 100 to 300 eggs per year depending on the breed. The eggs are edible and can be used for your breakfast or cooked in any dish calling for eggs. Many people prefer the slightly stronger flavor of duck eggs. Duck eggs are excellent for baking because they have a slightly higher fat content and richness.”
The 6 common chicken diseases:
1. Marek’s Disease 3. Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
2. Coccidiosis 4. virulent Newcastle Disease (vND)
5. Salmonella 6. Mycoplasma
If you raise chickens for their eggs or to sell to the market, here are some tips you are going to want to hear.
“Feed levels in troughs should be kept to not over one inch in depth, anything more might result in waste. It’s adequate to give the birds sufficient feed and nutrition and reduce waste.”
“One way to save on feed costs is by fermenting your chicken feed. This increases the volume of the food, and you’ll end up feeding your chickens less overall.”
“Provide young turkey poults 24-hour access to food and water and have enough space to all eat at once. If there isn’t enough space, the less aggressive birds will eat smaller amounts and not grow as well. Only use watering containers that they CANNOT get into. Turkey poults don’t swim. If they get wet, they will be chilled and may die.”
Some fascinating facts and tips direct from the pages of the The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack. LocalNews1 is honored to partner with Gruber’s Hagerstown Town & Country Almanack to bring you the most relevant, timely and informative content about and around Washington and Franklin counties. —
