Frank Hyman humorously shows us how to make two different types of DIY poultry feeders that are inexpensive and efficient. I enjoy having chickens as long as I don’t feel like I’m working for them. I especially like chickens when I can go on vacation for two weeks without worrying about them. But there are […]

A well-designed landscape can transform your garden into an extension of your home, offering an attractive and productive outdoor living space. For our feathered friends, a well-designed garden can offer protection and safe shelter as well as food for them to forage. While landscape design is probably not the first thing you think of when […]

Ever wonder why eggshells have odd bumps or discolorations? Learn how eggs develop, and troubleshoot eggshell problems with chicken owner and writer Elizabeth Diane Mack. For small poultry flock owners, eggshell abnormalities can be a bit scary. The internal shell development process occurs in less than 24 hours, and during this time, even minor upsets […]

Sandy Cryder lets us in on her adventures with acquiring and learning about beautiful Ameraucana hens, their history, looks, and moods. New Chicks Choosing the chicks for my new flock was great fun and a big challenge. In addition to looking for hardy layers that could tolerate both heat and cold, would rarely go broody, […]

When you think of a chicken, you probably envision a lovely rooster with a large single comb atop his head, and you hear the faint familiar crow that most people believe only happens in the morning—sorry to burst your bubble folks but rooster will crow all day long. With that being said, the image you […]

Many people that would otherwise raise chickens are put off by the idea of a smelly, messy chicken coop.  Here are tips from Shelby DeVore on how to keep the coop clean and sanitary. Keeping a chicken coop clean and odor free is more manageable than you might think.  With a little bit of planning […]

While we often think of herbs in terms of cooking, they’re also an excellent tool for keeping your flock healthy. Amy Fewell shares tips and specific herb information to help you heal wounds and protect your chickens. Holistic Living We started our homesteading adventure in 2010 when our son was diagnosed with childhood asthma. Herbalism […]

Blogger Elle Pugsley works with rescued chickens, giving them a safe home and loving attention.  She shares a story about the sadness of losing a hen, and unexpectedly gaining another. Loss I’m sorry to say I lost one of my rescue hens. It’s never easy to lose an animal, even if you haven’t had them […]

Permaculture writer Jonathon Engels shares the Ins, Outs, and Whys of keeping chickens in your greenhouse. Why Put Chickens in the Greenhouse? In temperate climates, winter prevents us from growing fresh vegetables outside, but a greenhouse—even one that’s solely heated by solar power—allows us to foster some greens and cold-hardy treats to enjoy. Lettuce, spinach, […]

A crossed beak chicken? Sadly it happens! Last year I received a dozen or so Easter Egger peeps from a mail-order company, they all seemed perfect at first. As the peeps grew over the first few weeks I noticed we had one small chick that grew at a much slower rate. However, after a closer […]