It’s inevitable.  Sometimes you need to go away and sometimes you just want to go away.  When you have chickens (or other animals), a little planning is needed before you pack those bags. Certain animals can be boarded.  We have done that in the past…when we had one dog.  But now?  We have 2 dogs, […]

guest post by Andrea Martin Recent outbreaks of avian influenza (including the highly pathogenic strains) in the Midwest have sounded the alarm against this dangerous disease. While the outbreak was mostly confined to commercial farms, backyard poultry keepers need to be vigilant as well. Without any treatment options available for poultry, the influenza virus won’t be welcomed in our […]

How to keep eggs from freezing in the coop is a concern for many of us this time of year. During the colder months each egg that you collect is like a prized possession.  They can be few and far between.  Having to trash them because they are frozen and/or cracked can be heart breaking. […]

If you have backyard chickens – or are considering a flock – then you’ve probably heard or read of the negative aspects of having a few birds in your backyard. – They’re nosiy, they carry germs, they stink, they’re hard to take care of… To a few folks – all of those concerns or complaints […]

Let me start by saying that we have had a little broodiness before.  No big deal…we moved the chicken out of the nesting box a few times, collected the eggs and all was good.  But this time…no eggs in the nesting box for two days!  The ladies ALWAYS lay their eggs in the same nesting […]

The chicks we got in April have grown so fast.  This White Rock shown above started out as a fluffy little yellow chick.  The Silver Laced is growing into her look graciously.  They all graduated from the inside brooder and have been living outside for a few weeks now. They are separated from the older/bigger […]

Peep…Peep…Peep. If you are like me, than Spring Fever has taken over and you have fired up your heat lamp and dusted off the brooder box. There are spring chicks all over, including my bathroom. My bathroom?! Much to the surprise of any visitors, yes,  I am brooding my babies in the bathroom. It is […]

Keeping your chickens healthy healthy and safe can be easy. With a little daily care; safe, clean living environments; a well designed coop; fresh food and water, and a few preventative measures your flock should thrive and live a long, happy life. But occasionally, even the most diligent chicken keeper can experience sickness or injury […]

It’s that time of year.  You walk into the farm store and it is the first thing you hear.  You follow the sound, and you are lead to little chirping bundles of joy.  Baby chicks, all fluffy and cute.  You can’t resist.  You give in to the cuteness and buy some.  Or, maybe you look […]

Raccoons and foxes and hawks, oh my! No matter where you live, there are predators that are a danger to your flock of chickens.  Most people expect predators in rural settings, but they are also in urban and suburban settings. Most are sneaky, lurking at different hours of the day or night, depending on the […]