Chicken Chatter Blog with Lacey Vilhauer

Lacey Vilhauer Chicken Chatter As a farmer’s daughter, an agricultural journalist and someone who currently lives on a farm, I love that chickens—just like the eggs they produce—are serving as a binder to bridge the gap between agriculturists and consumers several generations removed from the farm. This inspired me to start a chicken blog called Chicken Chatter, to discuss various fowl topics, including some of my own experiences with a flock of 11 birds and insights from others involved with the backyard bird pastime.

They really are incredible animals and after several years of consistently owning chickens, I can’t see my life without them. If you love chickens or want to learn more about them, follow Chicken Chatter on www.hpj.com for new installments each month and let’s talk chickens together.

Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].

Breaking down the breed: Barred Rock 

Breaking down the breed: Barred Rock 

The Barred Rock, also known as the Barred Plymouth Rock, is an excellent choice for any new chicken owner because it is a hardy breed known for its friendliness and dual-purpose in…

All Avian Related Content

Avian flu detected in Iowa backyard flock

Avian flu detected in Iowa backyard flock

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Serv…
Breaking down the breed: Barred Rock 

Breaking down the breed: Barred Rock 

The Barred Rock, also known as the Barred Plymouth Rock, is an excellent choice for any new chicken owner because i…
Why animal ag needs to stay engaged

Why animal ag needs to stay engaged

Chelsea Good, founder of Good & Associates, will lead a session at the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2026 Stakeholders Summit …
Egg prices rise on moderate demand as avian influenza trims layer flocks

Egg prices rise on moderate demand as avian influenza trims layer flocks

Wholesale egg prices moved mostly higher during early March as moderate demand met light to moderate offerings across the national…
Poultry processing robotics advances with ChicGrasp

Poultry processing robotics advances with ChicGrasp

What started out as a response to labor shortages in poultry processing plants during the COVID-19 pandemic has turned into a robo…
The Pyrenean Mastiff: The ultimate LGD and companion 

The Pyrenean Mastiff: The ultimate LGD and companion 

The livestock guardian dog world includes several popular breeds that livestock owners depend on for protection and…
Nebraska Extension to host “Chick Care Basics” webinar

Nebraska Extension to host “Chick Care Basics” webinar

With chick days underway at farm supply stores across Nebraska, many families and small-scale producers are preparing to welcome n…
Experts expect shift in chicken prices amid fertility, bird flu concerns

Experts expect shift in chicken prices amid fertility, bird flu concerns

Chicken prices have dipped slightly on the heels of increased broiler production, but Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service exp…
Lesser prairie-chicken removed from endangered species list 

Lesser prairie-chicken removed from endangered species list 

On Feb. 26, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service announced the lesser prairie-chicken has official…
Egg prices fall to 2023 levels, but won’t last for long

Egg prices fall to 2023 levels, but won’t last for long

Egg prices have fallen to levels not seen since 2023, but don’t expect that dip to last long, said Jada Thomps…
Breaking down the breed: Leghorn 

Breaking down the breed: Leghorn 

The Leghorn chicken is one of the most common breeds. It originated in Tuscany, Italy, and the breed started being imported t…
What is avian influenza? Fast facts on ‘bird flu’ in the U.S.

What is avian influenza? Fast facts on ‘bird flu’ in the U.S.

From backyard flocks to grocery prices, experts explain how bird flu spreads, why it matters Highly pathogenic avian influenza,…
HPAI continues to affect turkey and egg production

HPAI continues to affect turkey and egg production

Lower broiler, turkey and egg production is being forecast in the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates’ National …
Verbal disaster declaration for HPAI issued for Colorado county

Verbal disaster declaration for HPAI issued for Colorado county

Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera, in consultation with Gov. Jared Polis, verbally declared a disaster emergency at 8:05 p.m. Jan. 29, for…
High Plains headed for cold stretch

High Plains headed for cold stretch

The Lower 48 states finally settled into a more tranquil weather pattern, as a ridge of high pressure settled across the West and …
A fox in the henhouse

A fox in the henhouse

Original henhouse (Photo by Alissa Weece) In the spring of 2025, my husband decided that the chicken coop we had originally bui…
Bare backs, bare butts – mating, molting, or mites?

Bare backs, bare butts – mating, molting, or mites?

For the longest time, I had several chickens with bare backs and bare butts. I did so much research, trying to figure out what the…
Poultry and egg production poised for stability

Poultry and egg production poised for stability

Poultry and egg production this past year was estimated to be lower in comparison to 2026, according to the latest World Agricultu…
Arkansas webinars focus on HPAI prevention

Arkansas webinars focus on HPAI prevention

A series of webinars this month aims to help poultry owners protect their birds from the H5N1 strain of the Highly Pathogenic Avia…
Nebraska reports avian flu case in commercial flock

Nebraska reports avian flu case in commercial flock

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is reminding poultry owners to continue to monitor for and protect their birds against high…
ICAC: Global cotton consumption to increase

ICAC: Global cotton consumption to increase

Evanston hosting Wyoming-Utah Ag Days on Jan. 23-24

Evanston hosting Wyoming-Utah Ag Days on Jan. 23-24

Raising peacocks and game birds

Raising peacocks and game birds

Raising turkeys

Raising turkeys

Raising ducks and geese

Raising ducks and geese

Pueblo Eagle Days festival happening Feb. 3-4

Pueblo Eagle Days festival happening Feb. 3-4

Earl Hafner of Panora to receive 2018 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award from Practical Farmers of Iowa

Earl Hafner of Panora to receive 2018 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award from Practical Farmers of Iowa

Local FFA chapter does their part to train future agriculturalists

Local FFA chapter does their part to train future agriculturalists

Texas Native Seeds project expanding to meet demand ecosystem restoration

Texas Native Seeds project expanding to meet demand ecosystem restoration

Government in shutdown mode, Perdue outlines USDA services while ag reacts

Government in shutdown mode, Perdue outlines USDA services while ag reacts

Soybean growers hear reports on NAFTA negotiations and the biodiesel tax credit

Soybean growers hear reports on NAFTA negotiations and the biodiesel tax credit

The support of a few funds Ducks Unlimited’s largest Kansas project

The support of a few funds Ducks Unlimited’s largest Kansas project

USDA funding available for Colorado landowners to help protect wetlands and wildlife habitat

Regulatory relief makes ag happy

Regulatory relief makes ag happy

Former Kroger executive to lead Kansas State Fair during transition

Wildlife Services surpassed 2017 goal for elimination of feral swine

Warm up your weeknight

Warm up your weeknight

Egg research summary offered by Iowa State University

Egg research summary offered by Iowa State University

Market assessment

HSUS CEO has found himself in hot water