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.
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
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
Are you new to raising chickens? If so, you might be wondering what is the best way to feed them. There are a few different options, but one of the most popular is chicken scratch. But what is chicken scratch, and is it really a good idea for your flock? Keep reading to find out! … 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
Chickens love fruit, and there is hardly any fruit more delicious and refreshing than pineapple. But when you stop to think about it, would chickens really have access to pineapple in the wild? It is enough to get you thinking, but all we need to know is whether or not chickens can eat pineapple. Yes, … Read more
Keeping chickens can be a fun hobby and rewarding venture, but it can sometimes be hard to keep the roosters from fighting each other. These willful males play an important role in keeping a flock orderly and safe from predators but that doesn’t matter when they are tearing each other to shreds! There are several … Read more
Mangoes have often been called the king of fruits, or at least they are called the king of fruits in the countries where they usually grow! These delicious, delectable tropical fruits are sweet and satisfying, and also contain a good complement of vitamins. We know people love them, but can chickens eat mangoes? Yes, chickens … Read more
If there is one vegetable that is a love it or leave it proposition for most people, it has to be squash, of all kinds. They are either beloved seasonal vegetables suitable for all kinds of dishes or disgustingly slimy, depending on who you ask. But however you might feel about them, we need to … Read more
Chickens eat all kinds of leafy vegetables. From lettuce and cabbage to various types of grass, if you own chickens you know by now that they love snacking on the green stuff. However, there is one leafy vegetable that is renowned for its nutrition and is commonly used in salads: arugula. Can chickens eat arugula? … Read more
If you are new to keeping chickens, you’ve at this point probably heard a little bit of buzz about using something called diatomaceous earth that can help keep your birds healthy. Lots of seasoned chicken keepers on farms and in backyards across the nation didn’t tell you wrong in this case. Diatomaceous earth is one … Read more
Chickens will eat just about anything, and that includes all kinds of plant matter. They will eat leaves, flowers, stems, roots, and all. But not all plants are healthy for chickens, or even safe, and knowing enough to keep your birds away from harmful plants is crucial. How about ferns? Can chickens eat ferns? Yes, … Read more
It rarely fails that animals kept together, or even near each other, on a farm or working homestead will find a way to “share” food. Horses will eat goat feed, cows will swipe a bit of hay from the horses, and so on. But chickens, chickens are omnivores, and that means they can be some … Read more
If you’re like most people, you probably think that the only thing chickens can eat is chicken feed. But that is not true. Chickens are actually omnivores and can eat a variety of foods, including many of the same foods that people can. It is nice to know that you can share some foods with … Read more