Keeping an inventory of your chickens might seem like an unnecessary task, but it can actually be very helpful for several reasons. I know firsthand the importance of tracking information about my birds. In this article, I’ll be sharing why and how I keep an inventory of my chickens. Why keep an inventory of your […]
As a new chicken owner, one of the challenges that you may encounter is getting your baby chicks to be comfortable around you. It can be frustrating to see adorable pictures of chicks cuddled up with their owners, while your own chicks are still terrified of you. However, with patience and persistence, you can help […]
I understand the importance of providing my chickens with the right feed. After all, the quality of their diet can directly impact the quality of the eggs they lay. Recently, I’ve been considering switching to organic, corn-free, and soy-free chicken feed to meet the growing demand for healthier and more ethical products. However, I’m stuck […]
One of the ways I preserve my eggs is through water glassing. Water glassing is an age-old method of preserving eggs that involve storing them in a mixture of water glass (sodium silicate) and water. The solution creates a protective layer around the egg, keeping air and bacteria out, and prolonging the shelf life of […]
As a homesteader, I always try to find ways to preserve excess food to ensure that nothing goes to waste. When my chickens started laying more eggs than my family could consume, I researched different methods of preserving them and stumbled upon water glassing. I was intrigued by this centuries-old method of egg preservation that […]
Feeding chickens a nutritious and balanced diet is crucial for their health and happiness. Although most chicken keepers begin with chick feed, many supplement their flock’s diet with greens and other treats. In this article, I’ll share my experience with feeding my chickens greens and other goodies, as well as what I learned along the […]
Have you ever heard of water glassing eggs? It’s a technique that has been around for centuries, and it involves preserving eggs in a solution made of water glass, also known as sodium silicate. Growing up on a farm, I remember my parents using this method to store eggs during the winter months when the […]
As a chicken owner, I know firsthand how important it is to provide a comfortable and clean environment for my birds. That’s why I always make sure to invest in high-quality nesting pads to keep my chickens happy and healthy. In this article, I’ll be sharing some of the best nesting pads for chickens on […]
Nesting pads are a popular choice for chicken owners who want to make their chickens feel more comfortable and keep their coop clean. However, some people are still skeptical about their effectiveness and whether they are worth the investment. As someone who has been using nesting pads for eight months now, I can confidently say […]
One of the most important aspects of keeping chickens is ensuring their safety. As a chicken owner, it is crucial to make sure that your birds are secure and protected from predators. One of the best ways to do this is by getting them into their coop at night. But how do you get your […]
Eggs are a staple in many households around the world. They are a versatile food item and can be used in a variety of recipes. But what happens when you accidentally leave eggs out of the fridge for a few hours, or even a few days? Is it safe to eat them, or should you […]
Keeping a chicken coop clean is one of the most important tasks for any chicken owner. While there are many different types of bedding that can be used in a coop, sand is a popular choice for its natural absorbency and low cost. However, one challenge that comes with using sand as a bedding is […]
As a chicken owner, protecting your chickens from predators should be one of your top priorities. Predators such as opossums, raccoons, and even snakes can wreak havoc on your chicken coop and cause significant harm to your flock. In this article, I will discuss the opossum, a common predator that can cause significant damage to […]
Raising chickens can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it’s important to do your research before buying chicks. Unfortunately, one common issue that many first-time chicken owners encounter is not being able to determine the gender of their chicks. This can be a problem if you’re not prepared to keep roosters, as they can […]
One of the important considerations when starting a flock is whether to get vaccinated chicks or not. Vaccination can help protect your flock from various diseases, including Marek’s disease, coccidiosis, and others. But the question arises, do all hatcheries vaccinate before they ship? In this article, I will discuss my personal experience with ordering chicks […]
I know that ensuring the health and well-being of my flock is of utmost importance. One question that often arises is whether or not to feed chicks vaccinated for Marek’s disease with medicated feed. After doing some research and consulting with other chicken experts, I can confidently say that there is no issue with feeding […]
As a nurse and a new backyard chicken owner, I was faced with a decision on whether to vaccinate my chickens or not. I found it quite challenging to decide whether or not to vaccinate my flock, especially with all the conflicting information out there. However, after researching and consulting with other chicken owners, I […]
As a chicken owner, you want to make sure your feathered friends are well-fed, especially when you’re not around to monitor their food intake. A large capacity chicken feeder that can withstand the elements and hold enough feed for an extended period is an excellent investment. But with so many options available, it can be […]
When you have a flock of chickens and plenty of eggs, it’s natural to think about selling them. But how much should you charge for your farm-fresh eggs? Is $4 a dozen a fair price? Some people might argue that store-bought eggs are cheaper, but that’s not always the case. In this article, we’ll discuss […]
Are you struggling to tell your chickens apart? With a growing flock, it can be challenging to differentiate one bird from another, especially if they all look alike. While you can use leg bands or tags to identify them, there are other ways to tell your chickens apart. In this article, I will share my […]
As a chicken owner, one of the main concerns is to keep the birds happy and busy in their run. Chickens that are bored and have nothing to do can easily become agitated and start pecking at each other, which can lead to serious health problems. Therefore, it’s important to provide a stimulating environment for […]
You may be wondering about the noises your little ones make. One common question is whether chicks chirp for attention. In short, the answer is yes, but there could be several reasons why your chick is chirping loudly. Hunger or Thirst Chicks can chirp due to hunger or thirst. Like any animal, chicks have basic […]
One of the most challenging parts of raising chickens is dealing with their inevitable deaths. It’s a strange question for a newbie, but it’s a crucial one to ask. So, what do you do with your chickens when they die? Do you bury them or dispose of them in other ways? In this article, I’ll […]
Hatching chickens can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also be heartbreaking, especially for beginners. In this article, I share my personal experience of hatching chickens for the first time and the lessons I learned. I also provide tips on candling, a crucial process in incubation. My Heartbreaking Experience One of My […]
One of the most important things to consider is the type of bedding you will use in your coop. Not only does bedding provide insulation and cushioning for your birds, but it also absorbs moisture and helps keep the coop clean. However, if your coop floor tends to get wet, finding the right bedding can […]
Are you wondering how much feed a meat bird needs to consume throughout their lifetime? Or perhaps you’re curious about the cost of feed per pound or kilogram? As someone who raises chickens, I can assure you that these are important questions to consider. Not only does the amount of feed impact the growth and […]
As a chicken owner, I know the importance of providing my flock with a comfortable and safe environment to live in. One of the ways I like to improve their living space is by adding some greenery to their area. It not only makes it look more aesthetically pleasing, but it also provides them with […]
As a chicken owner, you may be wondering if it’s okay to have your coop, run, or pen in a treed area. The short answer is yes! In fact, having trees around your coop can be beneficial for your feathered friends. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into why it’s okay to have your chicken […]
The process of selecting eggs for incubation can be confusing. With several hens and roosters in your flock, how do you determine which eggs are best for hatching? In this article, I’ll share my personal experience and tips on how to choose eggs for incubation. Check for Fertilization Before Selecting Eggs The first step in […]
Hey, there fellow chicken keepers! I recently got my hands on some beautiful Sapphire gems and I couldn’t be more excited to share my experience with you. Not only do I want to show off my lovely new additions, but I also want to talk about their egg-laying habits and when you can expect to […]
There’s nothing quite like collecting fresh eggs from your own flock. However, there are times when chickens start laying their eggs anywhere but in their nesting boxes. This can be frustrating, but there are several things you can do to encourage your hens to start laying in their boxes again. Clean and Refresh the Nesting […]
Raising chickens can be a rewarding experience, but incubating eggs is a whole different ball game. As an experienced chicken owner, I thought I had a good handle on the incubation process. However, my latest batch of eggs has left me with some questions. Despite my careful monitoring of temperature and humidity, and culling eggs […]
Ensuring the best possible conditions for your eggs to hatch successfully is crucial. However, it can be daunting when you come across a cracked egg in the incubator on day 3. It can be challenging to decide whether to fix it and put it back in the incubator or discard it to avoid ruining the […]
I know firsthand how exciting it is to watch our little feathered friends grow up. Our six chicks are turning six weeks old this Friday, and I am eager to move them to their coop. However, I am a bit concerned about the nighttime cold as the lows are around 27-30°F at the coldest. After […]
I always look forward to the excitement of hatching new chicks. However, one hatch had me scratching my head in confusion. It was day 25, and there was no sign of pipping from the eggs. But I could see movement when I candled them. I wondered if anyone had experienced the same thing. Factors That […]
As a poultry owner, I always enjoy hearing about the experiences of fellow chicken enthusiasts. Recently, my husband and I have been considering raising some meat chickens, but we’re faced with the question of how to package them for the freezer. We have a regular vacuum sealer, but we’re not sure if it will accommodate […]
One of the most important considerations is ensuring the health and well-being of your chicks. When raising baby chicks, providing them with a consistent source of heat is essential, especially during the first few weeks of their lives. But how old should your chicks be before you can stop using a heat lamp? In this […]
Raising backyard chickens can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience, but it also comes with responsibilities, such as ensuring the health and well-being of your feathered friends. One common issue that chicken owners face is parasite infestations, which can be treated with medications like Ivermectin. However, it’s crucial to be aware of the egg withdrawal […]
I know how difficult it can be to find a home for a rooster. One spring, my family decided to let one of our chickens hatch some eggs. To our surprise, one of the chicks turned out to be a rooster. As much as we loved our new little guy, we already had a rooster […]
As a small-scale egg seller, one of the biggest challenges I face is the cost of egg cartons. It can add up quickly, especially when customers don’t return them. But there are several techniques I use to keep the carton use down and save money. In this article, I’ll share some of these techniques with […]
When you buy chicks from a hatchery or farm supply store like Tractor Supply Company (TSC), they usually come with instructions that tell you to feed them a specific type of commercial feed. These feeds are formulated to provide all the necessary nutrients that chicks need to grow healthy and strong. They usually come in […]
As a soon-to-be chicken mama, I found myself in a dilemma: should I start with chicks or go for pullets? I had never raised chickens before, so I wanted to make sure I was making the right decision. After doing some research and talking to other chicken owners, I came up with some insights that […]
As a chicken owner, it’s never a pleasant experience to see your feathered friends get sick. Unfortunately, respiratory issues are all too common in chickens, and it’s important to take quick action to help them recover. If you suspect that your bird may be coming down with CRD (chronic respiratory disease), it’s important to act […]
One of the most important things you can do for your chicks is to provide them with a safe and warm environment to grow up in. One popular option for achieving this is through the use of heating plates, which simulate the warmth of a mother hen and help regulate your chicks’ body temperature. However, […]
If you’re new to raising chickens, you might be wondering where to place your nesting boxes. When my husband and I first started keeping chickens, we used milk crates for our nesting boxes, elevating them a few inches off the ground. However, when we built an additional coop, my husband suggested putting the nesting boxes […]
If you have chickens, you know that they will eat almost anything. However, you must be careful about what you feed them because some foods can harm their health. One of the most common questions chicken owners ask is whether they can feed their chickens baked potatoes with the skin still on. The short answer […]
As the price of eggs continues to soar, many people are considering getting chickens for their own supply of fresh eggs. However, for those who have never owned chickens before, getting started can be a daunting task. If you are one of those considering raising chickens, you have come to the right place! As someone […]
As someone who has owned chickens in the past, I understand the anxiety that comes with having to protect your flock from predators. One of the biggest concerns that chicken owners face is the possibility of a hawk swooping in and taking off with one of their precious birds. It can be a heart-wrenching experience […]
Have you ever looked at the price tag on a fancy chicken coop and thought to yourself, “I think some of y’all spent more on that coop than I did on my house”? Well, you’re not alone. As someone who has been keeping chickens for several years now, I’ve seen some pretty extravagant coops out […]
As a child, I always looked forward to visiting my grandmother’s farm during the summer. The highlight of my visits was collecting fresh eggs from the chickens. I vividly remember the excitement of opening the coop and carefully picking up each egg, marveling at their different shapes and sizes. But what always fascinated me the […]
