Birds are probably the very first things any new homesteader thinks about raising… and for good reason: they’re small and so easy to care for!
Chickens are of course, an all-time favorite, since they lay eggs almost all year round, and they’re a good source of meat, but guineas, ducks, geese and quail are also very good options.
Which ones are right for you? Read our articles to find out, not to mention everything about raising them, incubating eggs, butchering and more.
While chickens are raised for different purposes – meat, eggs, show, and pets – I think we can all agree that it’s devastating to lose any members of your flock… Hawks have keen eyesight to hunt from high in the sky, and sharp powerful talons to catch and carry chickens away. When a hawk sweeps … Read more
Jasmine is one shrub that is greatly loved for its highly aromatic flowers. Delicate, clustering and often climbing, there is hardly anything more beautiful found in nature. Jasmine can be found all over the world and is commonly cultivated as a decorative plant. Like many other decorative plants, chickens might occasionally want to sample it! … Read more
Queen Anne’s lace is a pretty, delicate flowering weed, one with a fairly ostentatious name considering it is just a wild carrot! If you have chickens, you might be wondering if they can dine on these wild Roots and other parts of the plant considering there are many other sorts of vegetables that they like. … Read more
Anyone who owns chickens, or anyone who owns any bird for that matter, knows that chickens periodically lose feathers. You’ll always see one or two blowing on the breeze around the run or coop, and sometimes you’ll find a handful after a scuffle or some other altercation. It’s far from uncommon, and just a part … Read more
Many animals are a study in contrasts. For every incredible ability that an animal has, it usually has one or more weaknesses to offset it. Looking at animals that are predator, prey or sometimes both the determining factor for where it falls into the food chain might be whether or not it is simply in … Read more
If there was one thing you can say about chickens, it is that they are prolific and adventurous eaters. These hardy birds will eat pretty much anything, from meat and insects to fruit and veggies, and everything else in between. You might be wondering if they can eat some of the more exciting foods that … Read more
If you have chickens, you already know that they are adventurous and sometimes troublesome eaters. There are just as likely to eat a few grass clippings and bugs as they are your prized ornamental flowers. But how about other flowers, like daisies? Can chickens eat daisies? Yes, chickens may eat all parts of a daisy, … Read more
Most homesteaders know that their chickens can eat all kinds of things, but there are a few items out there that are highly contentious. Some folks claim that chickens can eat these items with no problems, while others claim they are bad news. One such food that constantly leads to arguments is garlic. So what’s … Read more
Many animals can eat all sorts of plants that are not appetizing in the least to humans, or may even be harmful. Take eucalyptus leaves, for instance. This hardy plant family comes in a variety of forms, and is most famously eaten by koalas. Maybe your chickens can have some too. Chickens eat many plants, … Read more
I don’t know about you, but I can honestly say that every single animal that I own has to have a name. It just seems right. This certainly counts for my chickens. Also, there’s a very practical purpose for it because it will make referring to your chickens in conversation or in documentation far more … Read more
Chickens, like most birds, eat seeds. It only makes sense. But sometimes what makes the most sense to us doesn’t always hold up under scrutiny. Take sunflower seeds for instance. They are enjoyed as a portable, tasty, and somewhat messy snack around the entire world, and you might instinctively think that chickens could eat them … Read more
There are all kinds of things that chickens can eat that you just wouldn’t expect. From dairy products to chicken eggs, chickens don’t seem too picky concerning where their next meal comes from! But how about something really weird, something like kelp? Can chickens eat kelp? Yes, chickens may eat kelp and it is highly … Read more
Lambsquarters is a common weed that is often found growing in gardens and fields. The plant is easy to identify by its distinctively shaped leaves, which are divided into three parts and have a blue-green color. Lambsquarters are actually a type of goosefoot, and they are related to quinoa and spinach. But, like so many … Read more
Left of their own devices, chickens will graze and nibble on all sorts of plants, including ornamental plans that we would prefer they leave alone. Plenty of chicken owners have come out to check on their birds only to discover they have massacred their favorite perennials. How about roses, can chickens eat roses? Yes, chickens … Read more
Most chicken owners already know that their chickens love all sorts of seeds and nuts. If you have big, beautiful oak trees growing on your property, you have probably already thought about feeding those plentiful acorns to your flock. But, like any good parent, you wanted to double-check first and here you are! So, can … Read more
If you own chickens, you already know that they are very adventurous eaters. Chickens will eat all kinds of things, from berries and plants to meat and bugs and just about everything in between. This also includes things that they probably shouldn’t be eating, like the food that we give to other animals in our … Read more