8 eggcellent Successful Farming listens

1. Keeping chickens out of trees

Why did the chicken cross the road? To roost in the tree. Some hens prefer a tree branch over a nice coop. And good luck changing their minds. Jesse Lyons is an Extension poultry specialist at the University of Missouri and says once a chicken discovers it can fly and finds a tree branch to its liking, you're in for a battle.

2. Winter feeding free-range chickens

As cold weather sets in, there are less food opportunities for free-ranging chickens. They can find bits to eat here and there, but you have to assist with their diets. Extension poultry specialist David Frame of Utah State University offers a few tips.

3. Stop chickens from eating eggs

Chickens are supposed to lay eggs, not eat them. Here are some tips on how to stop chickens from devouring their own eggs.

4. Backyard chicken manure management

Backyard chickens can be very rewarding, but you also need to deal with the manure they leave behind. Good manure management will reduce flies and odor.

5. Choosing a chicken breed

Whether for meat and eggs or just as a hobby, backyard poultry flocks are very popular. Learn how to choose the right chicken breed for you. Jeff Smith, director of sales and marketing at Cackle Hatchery explains some of the latest trends.

6. Should you wash eggs or not?

Would you eat an egg that has been sitting on the kitchen counter for a few days? Eggs collected from the hen house and not washed will be just fine.

7. Selling farm eggs

When you raise chickens, you often end up with more eggs than you know what to do with. Don't expect to make a ton of money, but you could try selling them. Lisa Steele shares her family's experience.

8. Chicken theater

The desire for transparency is giving farm visitors front row seats to the poultry industry. Peek in on this first-of-its-kind chicken house in Philpot, Kentucky, with farmer Danielle Hayden.