Humans have had chickens domesticated for a long time. A very long time! But even so, when it comes to what can chickens eat, it seems there are still a few mysteries about their behavior that remain. For instance, some chicken owners report that their birds seem to enjoy munching away on pine needles. Many … Read more
It rarely fails that when you check into a forum or social media group it is all about keeping chickens, either on a farm or as part of your homestead, you’ll see an owner posting about some outrageous thing that they cannot believe their chickens are eating. Surprisingly, there are some things that might be … Read more
Chickens can eat all sorts of foods, including many plants, vegetables, and fruits. Though chickens can eat many of the same vegetables that people can, there are a few surprises that owners will need to be aware of. How about something like beans? Can chickens safely eat beans? Chickens can only safely eat beans that … Read more
When winter’s chill sets in, you might be left shivering in your own home, even with the furnace roaring. For millions of people around the world with inadequate heating in their homes or apartments, their ovens might be used to help heat up the living space. It’s a convenient way to warm, but is it … Read more
Out of all the foods you might give to your chickens, or any birds for that matter, rice is probably the most contentious. Plenty of people that you ask on the matter will swear that Rice will kill birds, usually by swelling up in their stomachs and bursting them. Scary stuff, but is it true? … Read more
Pemmican is a Native American survival dish that has been around for centuries. Used as a long-lasting, high-calorie food suitable for long journeys afield or in storage, pemmican is made of dried meat and rendered animal fat, and sometimes with other ingredients like berries or herbs. Pemmican often served as a sort of survival ration … Read more
One of the most common questions we get asked about chickens is how long they can go without water. Dehydration is always a concern for animals that live on land, and going without enough water for even a short period of time is enough to result in serious health risks. You especially cannot afford to … Read more
There’s a lot of discussion about whether or not chickens can swim. Some people claim that they can’t, and will drown in short order. Maybe you have heard just the opposite, that they are adept in the water. Regardless of the rumor, people want to know if they should be worried about their chickens being … Read more
When determining how much water you and your family, or maybe even your animals, will need for a given period of time either when packing for a trip or expedition, or preparing for disaster, gallons is the most commonly used figure. Therefore, it is helpful to calculate your on-hand water storage accordingly. One way to … Read more
If you don’t care for plants in any capacity, seeing a rabbit in your yard is probably just a fun distraction. Watching them hop along, nibbling on grass, before bolting at the slightest disturbance can certainly be a heartwarming sight. However, if you are a gardener, or even if you just take care of decorative … Read more
Chipmunks, just like their squirrel cousins, are basically rats with good publicity. From those adorable chubby cheeks that they use to stash food to their distinctive striped fur, you are rarely going to see a cuter critter out in the wild. Or in your backyard. Or absolutely destroying your prized decorative plants or fruits and … Read more
Bison is one of the largest and most impressive mammals in North America. Iconic, majestic, and traveling the countryside in immense herds, these shaggy bovines are making a big comeback since their numbers were depleted to near extinction by overhunting. In fact, the American bison is one of several reasons why many tourists throng to … Read more
Depending on where you live and what you do, squirrels are either a quaint and cute instance of backyard wildlife or an irrepressible menace that deserves no mercy. If you ever had squirrels take up residence in your attic or raid your prized garden you might fall into the latter camp. Sometimes there are no … Read more
If you own a livestock farm or just have a homestead with a few animals running around on it, you know how troublesome snakes can be. They steal eggs from chickens, pick off chicks, and panic larger animals. A few snakes are dangerously venomous, capable of hurting or killing man and beast alike. Snakes might … Read more
Cats are cute, clever, and very adventurous. They also happen to be apex predators in their size category wherever they are found, and feral cats or indoor cats that are allowed to roam without any restrictions are single-handedly responsible for decimating entire populations of birds, rodents, and insects. Naturally, you would want to keep unknown … Read more
Prior to actually getting down to business, some homesteaders have a fanciful idea of what the work will require of them. Scattering a little seed, driving a few fence posts, plucking a couple of perfect veggies from rich, yielding soil. It is an idyllic notion, alright, but one that is far divorced from reality. Work … Read more