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.
As most of their owners already know, chickens are prolific eaters of grains and seeds. One of the most nutritious seeds around, and one of the most exotic if you live in the United States, is quinoa. Quinoa is renowned for its nutritional profile but is it safe for chickens? Can your chickens eat quinoa? … Read more
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
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
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
If you’re a chicken owner, then you know that keeping your coop clean is essential for your birds’ health and well-being. But cleaning a chicken coop can be challenging, especially if you don’t know where to start. Well, don’t worry – I’m here to help! In this blog post, I’ll share some tips on how … Read more
It’s great to raise chickens, but if you have chickens that you keep for eggs, you have probably encountered a broody hen before. When a broody hen’s motherly instincts kick in she will stop laying and start sitting on her eggs with every intention of hatching them. Not only does she not want to give … Read more
If you give chickens half a chance to forage, you’ll notice that they readily explore their surrounding environment, picking and scratching in the dirt, in the grass, and at all sorts of plants looking for a bite to eat. You’ve probably noticed your chickens eating grass and bugs before, and also other things out of … Read more
Chickens love to eat all sorts of leafy vegetables. Lettuce, cabbage, and everything else that we enjoy in our salad bowl at the dinner table chickens generally love too. One superfood that is increasing in popularity these days is swiss chard. Can chickens eat swiss chard? Yes, chickens may eat all parts of swiss chard. … Read more
Chickens are a common sight on farms and homesteads for their eggs and meat. Homesteaders who raise chickens know how important it is to keep their birds well-fed and healthy. They also know that store-bought chicken feed can sometimes be a tad on the pricey side. These pricier feeds might be good for your birds, … Read more
Chickens love to peck at grass, seeds, and all sorts of things found on the ground. Veteran owners know that they’re always taking nibbles of this and that, sampling as they go. But not everything that they find on the ground is healthy or good for them. How about moss? Can chickens eat moss? Chickens … Read more
If you are new to raising chickens, you’ll have a lot to learn. And one of the most fundamental things you’ll need to learn is how to tell a rooster from a hen. This may seem easy, but it’s actually quite perplexing if you don’t know what to look for, especially when certain breeds or … Read more
If you keep any kind of animals on the farm or on your homestead, you know good and well that they get dirty. You also know that it is up to you to help them keep clean, or at least clean enough. Animals that stay dirty are more likely to get sick and are prone … Read more
If you own chickens, you already know that they totally live up to their classification as omnivores. It seems like chickens will eat anything and everything, including some things that can really surprise you. From the exotic to the gross and the borderline inedible, chickens can make use of all kinds of foods to get … Read more