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.
When the time comes to expand your flock of chickens, you’ve only got a couple of choices, assuming you don’t want to buy live babies. You can incubate eggs yourself using an incubator and then raise the chicks in a brooder, or you can let Mother Nature take care of it the way she always … Read more
What’s better than farm-fresh eggs? Almost nothing! The difference in flavor, quality, and nutrition compared to grocery store eggs really stands out and makes chickens worth owning. It’s why I got into keeping chickens in the first place, and I know that’s the same sentiment held by lots of would-be keepers. But something that newbies … Read more
Chickens eat a lot of bugs, but did you know they can become victims of bugs themselves? It’s true. Our yardbirds can fall victim to various ticks, fleas, and the ever-dreaded lice. Poultry lice can be a huge issue in particular because a minor and annoying infestation can exponentially multiply into a life-threatening problem seemingly … Read more
For most homesteaders, keeping animals of some kind is just part of the lifestyle. Chickens are overwhelmingly the most popular choice. Cheap, highly productive, available everywhere, and relatively easy to care for, you’ll rarely go wrong with a flock of yardbirds. But despite being one of the easiest livestock species to care for, tending to … Read more
If you are like me, you were mesmerized by the notion of farm-fresh eggs every morning, and that’s what set you on the path to getting a flock of your very own chickens. Imagine my surprise, then, when, after coming back from the local tractor supply with a double armload of chickens, the ladies in … Read more
For city-dwellers, high-quality food tends to cost more than the industrial-scale stuff you get at your local grocery store. Sadly, large cities are often rightly criticized for a distinct lack of outlets where you can get truly farm-fresh food. As ever, raising your own chickens for eggs and meat in the city is a great … Read more
Whether you love them or hate them, roosters are important members of any flock of chickens. If you want to grow your flock the old-fashioned way keep it safe from predators, roosters can serve as a partner to help you take care of your birds. Unfortunately, pretty much all roosters come with a major downside: … Read more
No matter how diligent a keeper you are, in time your chickens will get sick. It turns out there are lots of common diseases that chickens have to cope with, and though most of them aren’t too bad, some of them are truly heinous. Sadly, one of the most common also happens to be one … Read more
Our hens are some of the hardest-working animals on the homestead. They have to lay eggs day in and day out, for years, and you can tell it takes a lot out of them even if they don’t have to hatch and raise their chicks. And no matter what breed they are, all hens have … Read more
Chickens offer homesteaders tons of advantages when it comes to livestock. They are cheap, versatile, highly productive, and very easy to keep in a relatively small space compared to most other animals. Besides, chickens are just lots of fun! Having your very own flock of yardbirds running around is always entertaining for you and your … Read more
I don’t think it’s any exaggeration to say that for most of us one of the most fun parts of getting any new animals, be it pet or livestock, is coming up with a name. This is something that the whole family can get in on and get passionate about! Certainly, chickens deserve good names … Read more
If you have chickens of your own and have seen how they behave in the wintertime, you might well be under the impression that the cold doesn’t bother them at all. Chickens are indeed pretty stoic, and it’s true that most breeds do quite well even when the weather is below freezing… But it’s also … Read more
I love chickens, and lots of other homesteaders feel the same way. When it comes to livestock, ounce for ounce, I think chickens give you the most bang for your buck in terms of expense, effort, and return on investment. They can keep even a large family stocked up on eggs and meat for very … Read more
For homesteaders, it’s hard to argue against raising chickens. Chickens are cheap, easy to care for, highly productive, and will keep you and your family loaded down with the best eggs you’ve ever had and plenty of meat. Plus, they are just plain fun to have around! And considering their ever-increasing popularity, you can get … Read more
When it comes to keeping livestock on the homestead, one of your very best choices is chickens. These birds are cheap, extremely productive in terms of meat and eggs, and very easy to keep compared to larger livestock species… Today, chickens are more available than ever, and you don’t have to go any farther than … Read more
If you’re just getting started with keeping chickens, or you are a veteran keeper, one of the most fun and also most challenging aspects is picking the right breed. There are many dozens of breeds out there from all around the world, each with its own unique attributes, temperaments, and characteristics. Picking the right breed … Read more