When you stop to think about it, it is pretty amazing just how many different things chickens can eat. Of course, we all know they’re omnivores, but I think it’s a little funny that they can eat some things safely that they would practically never be able to get in the wild. Lots of novel … Read more
If you have owned chickens for any length of time, you already know that they will eat pretty much anything. There is hardly any plant, bug, fruit or veggie that is safe from them! This sometimes leads chickens to get into trouble by eating something that they shouldn’t, and sometimes unwitting owners feed their flock … Read more
Most chicken owners know by now that their birds are highly adventurous and adaptive eaters, and it is a common sight to see them taking a nibble of various plants including weeds, flowers, and shrubs. However, caution is always justified before allowing your chickens to eat any new or novel plant, no matter how pretty … Read more
The humble garden hose is used for a variety of purposes around almost every home in America. But they get a far greater workout on a working homestead, and are commonly used all day long during the hot seasons. The expandable garden hose is fast becoming one of the most popular hoses for the job. … Read more
Wood is a reliable source of heat for folks who don’t want to rely on electricity or gas for the purpose, and also works wonderfully as a backup heating method for either of the aforementioned methods. Be it in an open, traditional fireplace or a contemporary wood stove, wood is typically regarded as among the … Read more
Chickens are omnivores and will eat just about anything when the mood strikes them. They also eat some things that are a little unsettling, including chicken eggs. Even their own eggs! While this behavior is definitely disturbing to new owners, some people assert that it is, in fact good for chickens. Others claim you should … Read more
If you don’t own goats, you probably heard that they will eat anything, literally anything. From old boots to tin cans and even antennas right off your car. If it can fit in their mouth and they can chew it, they’ll eat it. It’s comedy gold, that’s for sure, but is it true? Can goats … Read more
Lemons are one of those contentious items when it comes to treating your chickens. Some old timers swear that citrus fruits are harmful to chickens, or will outright kill them. Plenty of other keepers these days swear just the opposite. Time to get the straight answer: can you add lemons to your chickens’ diet? Yes, … Read more
Every chicken owner is already aware of the sundown roundup that takes place in the run or across your property. When the sun gets low in the sky, chickens start thinking about tucking tail feathers and getting some shuteye in the coop. But have you ever stopped to think about just how chickens actually sleep? … Read more
The most fundamental question when it comes to farming livestock is what kind of animal you are going to raise. Cows, chickens, goats, sheep, and pigs: all have advantages and disadvantages, requiring differing amounts of room, care, food, and room. In return, they can offer you equally diverse products in the form of meat, milk, … Read more
If you own chickens, you’re already involved in a battle. A battle that will never, ever end. I’m talking about the battle against chicken parasites, of course, blood-sucking little monsters that can drive our poor birds crazy, hurt them, and even kill them. They’ll keep you busy, alright, but luckily we have diatomaceous earth on … Read more
If you own chickens, you know by now that these birds are adventurous eaters. They will scarf up just about anything, from fruits and veggies to worms and bugs. Nothing is off the table for these robust yard birds! How about something like honey? Is that something your chickens can have, and is it good … Read more
Beans are one of those foods that are a staple of homestead life. Easy to store, pretty easy to prepare, calorie-dense, and nutritious (not to mention filling), kidney beans in particular are a wonderful way to stay prepared for tough times. It stands to reason that some homesteaders have probably wondered if they can feed … Read more
Nowadays, there’s a great societal emphasis placed on personal water conservation. For those living in dry climates or rural areas where this resource is scarce- and especially for homesteaders- it’s critical to get as much “value” or use out of your water supply as possible. Though to some folks the idea of reusing water is … Read more
If you have been following this series for any length of time, you know already that chickens can eat cucumbers. It naturally follows this you might wonder if chickens can have pickles, which are basically preserved cucumbers. It’s a logical question. But can chickens safely eat pickles? Probably not. Pickles are bad for chickens due … Read more
When it comes to alfalfa and alfalfa sprouts, there is definitely no “in-between” preference. Part of a salad or as a sandwich filling, you love them or you hate them. But how about our chickens? Chickens seem to love all sorts of things that grow and sprout, so can they have alfalfa to eat? Yes, … Read more