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 you’ve kept chickens long enough, eventually chicken fever is going to strike. You’ll think about chickens all the time. You’ll see chickens everywhere. You won’t be happy with the mundane breeds that you already know. You want more chickens, better chickens, rarer chickens. And among all the breeds, some of the rarest individual birds … Read more
Whether you’re getting started with chickens for the first time or just looking to expand your flock with some new additions, picking the right breed is crucially important. Understanding the capabilities, health, temperament, and other essential characteristics of a breed will go a long way toward making your time with them happy and productive. To … Read more
When you look past the fact that they are the most common domestic bird in the world, chickens are actually super interesting. Their behavior, their colors, their physiological differences; there are so many interesting traits about them you could spend a lifetime studying them. For chicken fanciers like us, this also means that your picture-perfect … Read more
When it comes to raising livestock of any kind, and that includes poultry like chickens, watching their weight is important. No, not just for aesthetics, not all the time, but to make sure they are on target for their productivity, be it meat or eggs, and also healthy overall. A chicken that’s underweight or overweight … Read more
Bringing home a bundle of baby chicks, or hatching them yourself, is always an exciting time, but it is a perilous one, too. Chicks are incredibly delicate, and very easy to sicken or even kill accidentally. Not enough water, not enough food, and, arguably most important of all, not enough warmth. If your baby chicks … Read more
If you want chickens, and tell someone that you want to add a rooster to your flock, they might give you a funny look. If it’s because they also own chickens they might be worried about your sanity. If it’s your neighbor, they are doubtless worried about the noise your new addition is going to … Read more
If there’s one thing most folks tend to pity our animals for, it is the fact that they have to live outside pretty much all the time. Even our chickens that have nice, warm coops to live in spend most of their time outside exposed to the elements. That’s just the way things are, and … Read more
Most folks don’t spare chickens even a second glance. They’re just poultry at the end of the day, and they are where our meat and eggs come from. Not much to them, right? Not if you pay attention to them, and admire them, like us chicken lovers do! Although they aren’t ever counted among the … Read more
If you own a flock of chickens, especially one that has a rooster or two, you already know that they can be pretty noisy. Roosters especially tend to sound off loud and proud throughout the day, and invariably first thing in the morning and in the evening. But what’s strange is that some folks report … Read more
One of the best things about keeping chickens is seeing just how many different breeds are out there. All different sizes, all different colors, every kind of temperament, and from every corner of the globe. It can be a hobby unto itself, especially if you’re something of a collector like I am. And another interesting … Read more
As with any livestock, giving chickens the right amount of food each and every day is mandatory if you want them to stay healthy and thrive. They must have enough calories and nutrition, of course, but it’s bad to give them too little or too much in kind. And believe me, it’s an easy thing … Read more
Every person who keeps chickens for any length of time will soon develop favorites. Favorite individual birds, yes, but also favorite breeds. That’s one of the great things about being a chicken fancier: there are so many unique and gorgeous chickens out here to appreciate! So many, in fact, that it can be a little … Read more
Most chicken owners already know that they’re precious birds can enjoy a very diet consisting of all kinds of wholesome foods. They can even eat many different fruits, though these are typically served as treats. However, not all kinds of fruit are safe or healthy for chickens, even some of the most seemingly wholesome ones … Read more
Compared to most other livestock species, chickens can enjoy a surprising variety of foods. Yes, they subsist mostly on chicken feed but it’s possible they can have grass, bugs, meat, vegetables, and even fruit. But like most birds, chickens can only have fruit and limited quantities, and even then, only the kinds that are safe. … Read more
Chickens are omnivores, and as such, they can eat a really varied diet. They eat bugs, a little bit of meat, various kinds of plant matter, chicken feed of course, and even some fruits and veggies. The latter two in particular make great healthy treats for chickens. But it rarely fails that most owners want … Read more
For most of us, keeping a supply of fresh eggs going is the number one reason for owning chickens. It’s an exciting time when your girls start laying! Heading out in the morning to collect the bounty you work so hard for and- what’s this? An egg is broken! Worse than broken, it is mostly … Read more