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 can eat all sorts of things, including things that people would ordinarily eat. Fruits, vegetables, meats and even grains. One such grain that is enjoyed at breakfast tables around much of the world is oats. In North America, quick oats are particularly popular since they are fast and easy to prepare. Can chickens eat … Read more
If you have owned chickens for any length of time, you probably already know that they will eat pretty much anything and everything. They will even eat things that aren’t edible, or things that they shouldn’t. This can make for problems when people give chickens scraps and treats from their pantry or table. Though highly … Read more
If you raise chickens for their eggs, you’ve probably settled into a rhythm with them: you know your hands, no they’re laying schedules and they know when to expect you to come by and collect those eggs. Once you get into a groove, it is a wonderful thing having fresh, wholesome eggs on demand whenever … Read more
One of the funny things that humanity shares with most animals, at least most animals that live on land, is that they sneeze. Sometimes this is downright hilarious, when your dog or cat gets a sneezing fit, other times it can be frightening if they’re sick or struggling to get something out of their nose. … Read more
Chickens are birds. Everyone knows that. Still with me? Good. But the real question is whether or not “birds” as a group fit best fit into some other, broader classification of the animal kingdom. Are chickens mammals? No, of course not, as they don’t have mammary glands. Are they reptiles? How could they be? They … Read more
If you’re a proud owner of baby chicks, then you know how precious and delicate these creatures are. And naturally, you probably want to ensure that your little feathered friends grow up healthy and strong. One of the most crucial aspects of raising baby chicks is their diet. But what do baby chicks eat? Baby … Read more
There’s one thing that pretty much every living animal on Earth has in common: the fact that at one point or another, it will suffer from some kind of internal parasite. Yes, even our hardy chickens! Parasites thrive in nature because they’re highly adapted to beating or dodging the host organism’s own immune system, and … Read more
No matter what kind of breed you have, where you live, or how you raise your chickens, one thing they will always need is a coop. The coop is where chickens go to sleep at night and stay safe from predators. Your chickens will probably be spending a lot of time in the coop if … Read more
For your average backyard chicken owner, the prestige of a breed is just not that important. You want healthy chickens that can lay a few eggs or grow up strong and plump to make a good table bird. That’s it. But for those true aficionados or keepers who have very specific purposes and intentions for … Read more
When it comes to chicken runs, there are a lot of different factors that you need to take into consideration. One of the most important is what kind of ground cover you put in your chicken run. This ground cover will help determine how comfortable and safe your chickens are, as well as how easy … Read more
For those of us who keep chickens and like them, it is really easy to get attached to them. Their personalities and the way they interact with the world around them are so endearing, and it gets worse when you start to form a bond with a particular chicken. And the way some of the … Read more
When it comes to homesteading, it rarely fails that you’ll wind up with a genuine menagerie of animals running around. Sometimes they will all get along, but much of the time there will be conflict. The fur, and sometimes feathers, will fly! There is hardly any arrangement I can think of that would cause more … Read more
Have you ever wondered how fast a chicken can run? It does beg the question if you’ve ever watched them sprint across the yard in pursuit of a treat, or when chasing off a rival. It is always surprising because the usual, cautious waddling gait of a chicken does not do much to inspire confidence … Read more
No matter what kind of chickens you want to buy for your first flock, or what special edition you want to make to your existing one, there is a limitless variety of these special birds out there. You can choose based on purpose, size, temperament and of course color! For those who want a chicken … Read more
Chickens are certainly industrious eaters. Anytime they are awake and not confined they’ll be out pecking around, getting into things, and looking for that next tasty morsel. If you have an outside dog around, too, chances are you have probably noticed your chickens getting after the dog’s food when given half a chance. Is that … Read more
If there is one thing that all chicken owners know, it is that their birds generally love lush, leafy green vegetables. There is hardly a plant or a blade of grass that is safe from these enthusiastic eaters, including many plans that you wouldn’t expect. Naturally, there are many vegetables we enjoy the chickens also … Read more