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.
Even the most ornery chicken is rarely thought of as being truly dangerous. After all, these little birds are mainly just a source of meat, eggs, and occasionally entertainment. There is hardly an adult human that could be threatened by your average chicken. That being said, some breeds are anything but average. Some chickens are … Read more
One of the most interesting things about owning chickens is it seeing how enthusiastic they are about the foods they eat. Chickens are pretty adventurous eaters, and being omnivores will eat plants, veggies, fruit, bugs, worms, meat, and everything in between. On the vegetarian end of the spectrum some of their very favorite foods happen … Read more
If you’ve ever had a chicken that was limping, you know that it can be quite worrisome. You may not be sure what to do about it, or even why your chicken is limping in the first place. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the reasons why your chicken might be limping, as … Read more
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
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
The Golden Comet is one of the most popular breeds in backyard flocks. They’re easy to care for, produce large amounts of eggs, and are a good option for your homestead – if you’ll let me explain! On my farm, we have raised Golden Comets exclusively as our egg layers for the last five years. … 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
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
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
Chickens can eat all kinds of produce, from leafy greens to tropical fruits and root vegetables and seemingly everything in between. Potatoes are one of the most common and most popular vegetables regularly eaten around the world, and one might wonder if they are good for chickens. Can chickens eat potatoes? Yes, chickens can eat … Read more