Chickens

My free-range flock was at it again. They left the cozy acreage of our farm, and went to visit the neighbors. I could see them digging around the neighbor’s yard, looking for bugs, and contemplating what good things might be lurking on their back porch. My neighbors are very nice and understanding, but I didn’t […]

Although the changing of the leaves is a splendor to behold, we homesteaders see the process as something else altogether. A reminder that the cold temperatures of winter will be following very close behind. November itself can prove to be quite a chilly month in and of itself. With that said, it doesn’t compare to

Ticks can cause some serious problems around the farm, so it’s only natural that you might be wondering, “do chickens eat ticks?” Yes chickens will definitely do eat ticks, along with other types of poultry. Although they aren’t as fond of these pesky pests as other birds (like guinea hens) they’ll munch on their fair

Don’t you love the taste of fresh parsley on your morning scrambled eggs? Herbs like parsley have a ton of health benefits in addition to their culinary applications. You probably already know this. But what you might not know is that these herbs are also great for your chickens, too. There are several ways you

Every year, I think I have finally designed the perfect chicken-proof garden… and then those little buggers prove me wrong! Chickens are great to have around. They provide plenty of eggs and meat, they offer free fertilizer for the garden with their manure, some people even keep them as pets. However, make no bones about

When you’re building or buying a chicken coop, there are all kinds of features you’ll want to pay attention to. How many nest boxes does it have? What about the roosting bars? Is it big enough for all of your chickens? One feature that many people tend to overlook is how well the chicken coop

Although raising chickens is one of the easiest ways to get started with livestock, the reality is that they aren’t totally without effort. You love chickens, right? Well, so do a large variety of predators… These opportunistic creatures are just waiting for the perfect moment to go after your birds – and they will take

Raising chickens can be quite the costly endeavor. Sure, you get rewarded with eggs, meat, and free fertilizer – but you have a lot of expense in raising your flock, don’t you? From one-time equipment expenses like feeders and waterers (and chicken coops!) to more regular, yet equally costly, expenses like food and medications, raising

If you’re trying to figure out what to feed your flock of chickens, you might feel overwhelmed by the wealth of information out there. Don’t feed high-protein food. Feed high protein feed! Well, feed it in moderation. Only feed it during molting. The information is exhausting when you try to find the answer to the

Whether you want to raise chickens as pets or you’re interested in making some money with your new backyard flock, knowing the full cost of raising chickens is important for several different reasons. Not only does having a clear idea of the costs give you a good idea of whether you’re saving or making money,