Juniper berries are definitely an acquired taste, but have a distinguished culinary history and are a vital component of making gin. Certain animals eat juniper berries in the wild as part of their usual diet, so maybe our chickens can also. Can chickens eat juniper berries? Yes, chickens may eat juniper berries safely, and they … Read more
Have you ever heard someone talking about how baby birds can imprint on someone? You might even have heard this referenced about chicks or ducklings. There’s a good reason poultry owners talk about this, and that’s because it’s true! Baby birds really will mentally and emotionally latch on to you if they think you are … Read more
Out of all the livestock species that you might keep, there is no doubt that pigs have the reputation of being the biggest eaters. After all, saying that someone or something eats like a pig is not a compliment! Though it is a stereotype, pigs really are big eaters but with good cause. Most breeds … Read more
Ducks eat a little bit of everything. They eat a little bit of animal protein in the form of insects, slugs and other critters, and also plenty of plants and even fruits and vegetables. They typically only get the latter when they’re kept in captivity, but they do form an important part of your average … Read more
When considering larger species of livestock that can grow horns, it’s easy for things to get confusing. Some breeds seem to have horns while others do not, and likewise males and females may or may not grow horns. Sometimes, horned animals have their horns removed by humans when they would otherwise grow naturally. Let’s look … Read more
Most duck owners know that there are birds are omnivores, and can eat a wide variety of foods including a whole lot of plant matter. Some of the plants that ducks eat include, at least in a domestic setting, fruits and vegetables. Many of these are the same ones that we eat, which is kind … Read more
Do you keep chickens? Do you want to keep chickens? If you answered ‘yes’ to either of these questions you probably already know that this is one endeavor that is highly likely to get out of control. No one seems to know why this happens: One day you come home with a starter flock of … Read more
Is there any fruit more emblematic of summertime than a perfect, golden peach? I don’t think so. Juicy, deliciously sweet and possessed of an aroma that is hardly describable, peaches really are amazing. Peaches are enjoyed the world over in one form or another, but that begs the question: can goats eat peaches too? Yes, … Read more
Have you ever wondered how long a mother duck sits on her eggs? If you don’t own ducks yourself, you’ve probably never seen the process through to completion. One day, a mother duck emerges from her nest with a bunch of precious little ducklings in tow. That’s all you know! But the question remains: how … Read more
Goats are certainly keen to try most “human” foods, including some foods they shouldn’t eat, but you may be surprised to know there are some things that people eat that goats can also eat. And they might even be good for them! How about peanut butter? Can goats eat peanut butter? Yes, goats can eat … Read more
Sheep have been farmed for centuries, primarily for their wool. Wool is a natural high-performance fiber used to make clothing, blankets, carpets and a lot more. And though most sheep have wool suitable for these uses, relatively few sheep have truly excellent wool or other qualities that make them standouts for the purpose. If you’re … Read more
If you own ducks, you already know that they can eat a wide variety of things, including fruits and vegetables. More, ducks can actually eat, and get good nutrition from many of the things that people eat. But there are more than a few things that your ducks just shouldn’t have, no matter how much … Read more
Most chickens love all sorts of leafy, green and flowering herbs. In fact, they love them so much many owners have reported that they periodically get into ones that they shouldn’t! How about oregano? Is oregano safe for chickens to eat? Yes, oregano is completely safe for chickens and has nothing harmful in any part … Read more
If you’ve ever been out by the lake feeding ducks, or maybe even just feeding your own ducks, you probably already know that they love bread and other carbs like that. There’s just something about it! Makes you wonder what other sorts of snack foods ducks can safely eat. How about popcorn? Can your ducks … Read more
Worm castings, also known as vermicompost or worm manure, and sometimes erroneously called worm “casings”, are the organic waste produced by earthworms as they digest and break down organic matter. As worms consume their food in the form of decaying plant materials, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, they convert them into a nutrient-rich poop. This … Read more
Most of us, and pretty much all of us that own ducks, know that ducks have a pretty varied diet, although they eat mostly plant matter. That being said, your average duck does need plenty of protein. That usually comes from insects and other small creatures, or from a protein-fortified feed for domestic ducks. But … Read more