Construct a Chicken Moat for Effective Garden Pest Control A chicken moat is not a waterway, but it does provide a protective enclosure for the garden. Weeds, insects, rabbits, ground hogs and even deer are barred from entry by the double wall of fencing and the ever-diligent patrol flock. All in all, it’s a clever […]

The time has come for the baby chicks to move from the brooder to outside.  Because of the unseasonably warm weather that we have been experiencing, the chicks, which we mail ordered back in August have been living outside now for about a week.  The time schedule is ahead of what I anticipated and they are […]

Tight Budget? 5 Ways to Finance Your  First Coop Guest Post By: Dakota Findley If you have a bit of extra space on your land, you are looking for ways to turn that bit of land into a nice profit, and the idea of caring for your own flock of feathery chickens appeals to you, […]

Pasture Your Poultry with a Chicken Tractor A well built chicken tractor may be the perfect home for your chickens, and a great way to aerate and fertilize the soil. Visit Homestead Hustle for more from Franny’s Farm and great tips on profiting from your homestead! Find Homestead Hustle on Facebook – Network with us on LinkedIn! […]

  Beyond what might be obvious, chickens can be quite the addition to your lifestyle no matter where you live. Here are the top 5 reasons why I think raising chickens should be something everyone should try.   EGGS, EGGS, EGGS If there is one thing we all know about chickens it is this, they […]

Cool Coops – Sponsored by Onduline ;   In this episode of MOTHER EARTH NEWS and Friends our guests and I will discuss the considerations you need to take when you are building a chicken coop including: were to keep the food, how do we space the perches and are automatic doors all they are […]

Over the past year, my coop has evolved with the seasons. During the first year I quickly learned what might have worked for the summer didn’t work well for the winter. Because my coop and pen areas are in 3 parts it allows me plenty of flexibility. The coop is for sleeping & egg laying, […]

It’s spring! As chicken keepers we should all be enjoying the increase of egg production with our flocks. The fall molt has long been over, the summer heat has not yet started and the longer daylight hours should be triggering a laying effect with your flock.   This is prime egg laying season. This is […]

This month’s Cool Coop is a great example of a coop that has easy access – to clean the coop and monitor the flock. I particularly admire the full size door. I think a lot of chicken keepers wish their coop had this feature – especially when removing and replacing coop bedding. Continue reading as Bill shares the specs of his functional coop.

I’ve been a free range backyard chicken keeper for years, but recently I’ve grown tired of the mess my flock creates. I still adore their endearing personalities and amusing antics, I’m just done with the “deposits” they leave on the deck and driveway! And – I’ve had a few episodes of stray dogs attacking my […]