It’s great to raise chickens, but if you have chickens that you keep for eggs, you have probably encountered a broody hen before. When a broody hen’s motherly instincts kick in she will stop laying and start sitting on her eggs with every intention of hatching them. Not only does she not want to give … Read more
If you give chickens half a chance to forage, you’ll notice that they readily explore their surrounding environment, picking and scratching in the dirt, in the grass, and at all sorts of plants looking for a bite to eat. You’ve probably noticed your chickens eating grass and bugs before, and also other things out of … Read more
Chickens love to eat all sorts of leafy vegetables. Lettuce, cabbage, and everything else that we enjoy in our salad bowl at the dinner table chickens generally love too. One superfood that is increasing in popularity these days is swiss chard. Can chickens eat swiss chard? Yes, chickens may eat all parts of swiss chard. … Read more
Chickens are a common sight on farms and homesteads for their eggs and meat. Homesteaders who raise chickens know how important it is to keep their birds well-fed and healthy. They also know that store-bought chicken feed can sometimes be a tad on the pricey side. These pricier feeds might be good for your birds, … Read more
Chickens love to peck at grass, seeds, and all sorts of things found on the ground. Veteran owners know that they’re always taking nibbles of this and that, sampling as they go. But not everything that they find on the ground is healthy or good for them. How about moss? Can chickens eat moss? Chickens … Read more
If you run a farm or just tend a garden, you know you always have to be on the lookout for harmful insect pests. If you live anywhere but in one of the driest climates, you have probably already had a run-in with the Mexican bean beetle, particularly if you grow any sort of bean … Read more
If you are new to raising chickens, you’ll have a lot to learn. And one of the most fundamental things you’ll need to learn is how to tell a rooster from a hen. This may seem like a simple task, but it’s actually quite perplexing if you don’t know what to look for, especially when … Read more
If you’re looking for a versatile and adaptable way to cook, nothing beats using a dutch oven. Dutch ovens are one of the most well-rounded pieces of cookware around, and they can be used for everything from roasting to baking to braising. With nothing but your dutch oven and plenty of heat, you can create … Read more
If you keep any kind of animals on the farm or on your homestead, you know good and well that they get dirty. You also know that it is up to you to help them keep clean, or at least clean enough. Animals that stay dirty are more likely to get sick and are prone … Read more
If you own chickens, you already know that they totally live up to their classification as omnivores. It seems like chickens will eat anything and everything, including some things that can really surprise you. From the exotic to the gross and the borderline inedible, chickens can make use of all kinds of foods to get … Read more
When most people think of raising pigs they probably imagine, humorously, an animal that is something like a living garbage disposal; an animal that eats absolutely anything! And, to some extent, this is true; pigs are omnivores and will eat a wide variety of food. However, there are some things that pigs can eat safely … Read more
If you’re like me, you love condiments. Whether it’s ketchup on your fries or delectable, whole grain mustard on an Italian sausage with grilled peppers, they can make or break a meal. I guess I just don’t care for “plain” food. But store-bought condiments can be expensive, and often contain all sorts of unhealthy ingredients. … Read more
If you live in the American South, along the Gulf Coast, or in some parts of the Southwest, you are probably entirely, personally familiar with the subject of this article already. For the rest of you, today you will learn about one of the most damaging, painful, and tiny invasive species in the United States: … Read more
Among all the kinds of animals you might keep as livestock, goats are often associated with being pesky and hard to control. Just ask any current or past owner and they will tell you! They’re known for escaping their pens, hopping over fences, getting lost, and generally getting into all sorts of trouble. It is … Read more
In many places, it is rare to come across larger livestock that doesn’t have a bell hanging from a collar around their neck. Sheep, in particular, are often outfitted with bells and the practice is so common that it is fairly synonymous with pastoral farm life in general. But you have to imagine that wearing … Read more
If you have chickens, you know they can eat a bunch of food that people can eat. Fruits, veggies, grains, meats, seemingly nothing is off the table for these birds. Speaking of grains, one of the most nutritious around that is enjoyed at breakfast tables across the world are oats. Can chickens eat oats, too? … Read more