If you live on a hard-working homestead, chances are you have plenty of vehicles and other machines that use gasoline to run. Smart homesteaders will always keep a good supply on hand so they don’t get caught short at a critical moment. However, it rarely fails that some stored gasoline, either in a can or … Read more
We all know the jingle: an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But can an apple a day keep the vet away? Our chickens can eat pretty much all of the same fruits and veggies that we can, with a few exceptions. It makes sense that they should be able to eat this most … Read more
Pineapple weed plants are often a beautiful little overlooked “weed.” While they look a lot like their cousins, chamomile, a little whiff of a pineapple weed head crushed between your fingers rapidly allows you to properly identify this wild edible. The pineapple weed plant (Matricaria discoidea) somewhat also resembles mayweed (A. Cotula), but unlike the … Read more
To those that don’t keep them, goats have a reputation for eating anything. This is not far from the truth! As herbivores, goats will nibble on just about any kind of vegetation they come across. This includes twigs, leaves, bark and yes, even fruit. How about apples? Can goats eat apples? Yes, goats can eat … Read more
Anyone who depends on wood for primary or supplementary heating knows that the choice of wood is nearly as important as managing the fire itself. Every species of wood has unique properties that make it a better or worse choice than firewood. Birch is certainly beautiful and plentiful, but how does it perform as firewood? … Read more
I’m going to let you in on a little secret, I’ve got a serious phobia of sorts revolving around birds. I can handle little ones – parrots, for example – but larger birds make me nervous. This makes emus a bit of a weird wild card. Yes, their sheer size makes me nervous, but the … Read more
One of the best things about vegetables is the sheer variety they can provide when it comes to taste, color and texture. There is truly something for everyone, and best of all they are almost always good for you. The same holds true for your chickens, and if you want to add some color and … Read more
In the wild, chickens will eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, among other things. In domestic life, chickens still enjoy and will benefit from a varied diet containing plenty of produce. Most owners know that chickens can eat just about anything and that fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and spinach are all favorites … Read more
Bumblefoot is a common ailment in chickens and ducks. If you’re not familiar with it, don’t worry – here’s a quick overview of what it is and how to treat it. Keep reading for information on how to prevent bumblefoot from occurring in the first place! What is Bumblefoot? Bumblefoot, also known as pododermatitis, is … Read more
This is what happens when you don’t harvest your lettuce fast enough… it bolts!
One of the most popular and plentiful natural foods around the world, and in every culture, is nuts. Nuts are used as healthy snacks and as ingredients in all kinds of different dishes and are one of those things that people eat that chickens are likely to encounter in their natural environment. But can chickens … Read more
Chickens are omnivores, which means that they can eat both plants and animals for food. Pretty much every chicken owner finds this out pretty fast when their birds are pecking around taking a bite out of just about everything, including scraps from the kitchen! One of the best ways to treat your birds and reduce … Read more
Every chicken owner probably knows by now that these birds have wide-ranging appetites, particularly concerning fruits and vegetables. It is much easier to list the kinds that they won’t eat compared to the kinds that they will. Nonetheless, it is worth investigating whether or not chickens can safely eat some less common produce. How about … Read more
Somebody. Anybody! Please tell me what in the world you put in beans to make them taste good??? There must be something I’m missing.
It is no secret that chickens love all kinds of produce, fruits and vegetables alike. One type of treat that most chickens enjoy is a juicy, perfect piece of fruit. However, certain fruits and in particular berries can be harmful to chickens. How about strawberries? Can chickens eat strawberries? Yes, chickens may eat strawberries, but … Read more
Both goats and cows are popular features on many homesteads across the globe. Bred for meat and dairy, both have value. But if you’re trying to pick one, which one is right for you? Should you raise goats or should you raise cows? While goats take up less space, they are much harder to contain … Read more