When it comes to chicken nutrition, there are a lot of misconceptions out there. People often think that domesticated chickens only eat feed, but that’s not the case at all. Chickens are actually omnivores and will eat a variety of things in the wild (like those in South-East Asia). With increasing interest in true “free … Read more
Chickens love all sorts of plants and vegetables, including quite a few that people also enjoy. In fact, common herbs are some of the best and most interesting food options for chickens thanks to their unique flavors and health benefits. But how about thyme? Can chickens and baby chicks eat thyme? Yes, chickens can eat … Read more
If you’ve ever watched chickens go to and fro on your property while out foraging for food, you’ve probably noticed that they take a bite here and there for most plants, and then others they will eat right down to the ground. Turns out a lot of chickens most favorite plants are actually herbs, and … Read more
Goats like eating all kinds of greenery, from hay and grass to leaves and even twigs off of trees. Lots of new owners get surprised when they see their goats stripping the bark, leaves, and branches right off of trees that they can reach. Believe it or not, such material actually makes up an important … Read more
Whatever kind of planting and gardening you’re doing around your home, one of the best resources in your arsenal is a large, properly maintained compost pile. Aside from reducing waste, composting allows you to supercharge your plants with tons of nutrition that they desperately need. Plenty of beginning gardeners want to start a compost pile … Read more
Chickens eat all sorts of surprising things. These omnivorous yard birds will happily eat meat, insects, leaves, fruits, veggies, and even grass. Let it be said that a chicken will never run out of things to eat. In fact, they are often seen swiping food and even bedding from other animals given the chance. How … Read more
Chickens will eat all kinds of things, including things that you and I would rather not. On the topic of herbs, parsley is most commonly used in America as a simple garnish. This is a shame because parsley is actually a nutritional rockstar, absolutely jam-packed with vitamins and minerals. Small wonder why it isn’t eaten … Read more
No bee hive can exist for long without its queen. When a queen bee dies, the hive goes into a kind of shock. Vital direction is lost. Replacement numbers dwindle. The bees soon know that they are in trouble when their queen is gone, and they start to take action… In this article, we will … Read more
Gourds are one fruit that is rarely thought of as food, at least in North America, but nonetheless is a regular sight when autumn rolls around. Though these hard-shelled plants are commonly associated with pumpkins, cucumbers, squashes, and melons, there are nonetheless distinct unto themselves. Culturally significant around the world, what we really need to … Read more
Chickens are well known for eating all sorts of plant matter when they are allowed to forage. Sometimes they eat things that we would prefer them not to, and other times they eat plants that, seemingly, nothing else wants to eat. How about ivy and ivy berries, for instance? Can chickens eat them? Yes, generally … Read more
When you think of a pumpkin, you probably immediately think of the classic orange variety. But did you know that white pumpkins exist, too? It’s true: that white, pumpkin-looking squash is not some special variety of squash, it’s just a white pumpkin! Sometimes what you see really I what you get, but this begs the … Read more
Domestic pigs are omnivorous and energetic eaters. Everyone knows that, and the expression “eating like a pig” has been with us for so long for a good reason! Pigs eat produce, grains, meat, and all sorts of things. Some people also assert that pigs eat bones, easily and happily. Could this be true? It’s hard … Read more
If you own chickens, you probably know by now that chickens can eat all kinds of fruits and other produce, though there are a few examples that are distinctly off-limits. Surprisingly, there are many exotic or tropical fruits that are good for chickens, but not quite all. How about kumquats? Can chickens eat kumquats? Yes, … Read more
If you have a farm or a homestead, you’ve probably heard about diatomaceous earth, or DE, before. This powdery substance has been used for a very long time to control pests both on livestock and in the places where they live and rest. It is especially useful for getting rid of fleas, mites, ticks, and … Read more
Raising a flock of chickens is seen as something of a rite of passage for homesteaders, and one with many benefits. From baskets of fresh eggs to effective fertilization of crops and even the control of harmful insect populations. Regarding this last benefit, some homesteaders report that they see a plunge in tick numbers on … Read more
There are many wild plants that can be eaten safely and provide important nutrients for our health. Wild lettuce is one of the most common, and also one of the most beneficial from a health standpoint. However, there are also a number of poisonous plants that look very similar to this safe plant. Each of … Read more