Let’s brainstorm the eight most profitable farming animals for 2023! Because meat, eggs, honey, milk, fur, wool, and leather matter – and have enjoyed a historically high demand worldwide. That’s why raising livestock has been an effective revenue generation method since roughly 13,000 years before Jesus walked the Earth. Animal husbandry predates the first known planting of …
Whether you want fresh eggs or to be more self-sufficient, you may have wondered about the cost of raising chickens. Unlike other livestock like pigs or cows, chickens need relatively little space. So many homesteaders are starting to farm them in their backyards. But becoming a chicken farmer is more complicated than just buying chicks and giving …
Can chickens eat tomatoes? Yes! Chickens love tomatoes! This tomato and chicken diet question brings me back to my early youth. Watching chickens roaming and foraging around the yard was always one of my favorite childhood pastimes in the countryside. I loved testing the things our chickens would eat. I would offer them anything we had …
There is nothing better than having a consistent supply of fresh eggs from your very own flock of hens – but if your hens produce more eggs than your family can eat daily, you will quickly accumulate eggs. At that point, you may be wondering: How long do farm fresh eggs last, and how should …
I began studying the largest chicken breeds when someone gifted us a magnificent Brahma cockerel. Despite his enormous size, he is a true gentle giant who commits every minute of his day to ensure his beloved flock of hens is safe and happy. I’ve since been fascinated by the variety of hefty chicken breeds worldwide – and now I’m …
Let’s explore 17 beautiful black and white chicken breeds! Or, as we call them, Chanel chickens. These chickens are fancy. And fashionable! For centuries, homesteaders have been keeping poultry not just for utility – meat and eggs, that is – but also for their beauty. There are chicken breeds kept purely for ornamental purposes. “I have said that …
If you’re planning on building a new home for your chickens, understanding the best floor types for your chicken coop is essential! The best floor types help keep your hens happy, healthy, and comfortable. Choosing the best flooring for a chicken coop will also make your chicken house hygienic and easy to clean, reducing the risk …
What can chickens eat? Well, chickens are omnivores! They can eat both meat and plants. Many chicken owners feed their chickens chicken feed purchased from the local feed mill, but you can provide your chickens with much more variety by offering food scraps from your table, weeds from the garden, or even insects and worms. …
If you’re looking for a new addition to your flock, why not consider one of the many chicken breeds with fluffy plumage? Fluffy feathered chickens make an entertaining and worthy addition to your henhouse. So here’s a quick guide on 25 of the fluffiest chicken breeds! Before we begin – remember fluffy chickens require work. These …
Chicken owners frequently ask this: Can chickens eat grapes, and how safe are grapes for chickens? The answer to these questions is a little bit complicated. Chickens can eat grapes, but there are a few things that you need to keep in mind before granting unrestricted access to your grape vinery or orchard! In this …
Pineapples are a popular fruit among humans, but can chickens eat pineapples? It’s a question many chicken owners find themselves asking, often while holding a leftover can or bowl of fruit! We researched from several academic archives and scholarly journals to see whether chickens can eat pineapples. Or not! This article contains our findings – …
Apples are a healthy choice for people, but can you give them to chickens? Let’s discuss everything you need to know about feeding chickens apples, whether chickens can eat apples, and how to ensure your flock stays healthy and safe. Sound good? Then let’s continue! Can Chickens Eat Apples? For sure. Yes. Chickens love to …
Can chickens eat timothy hay? Well yes, they can, but it’s best if they don’t. Timothy hay can cause crop impaction (more on this later), as can other long-stemmed hay. My chickens love having yummy alfalfa to munch on, especially during winter. High in protein and full of green leaves, a bale of alfalfa can …
Do raccoons eat chickens? If you raise chickens in the backyard, you probably like hearing the comforting sound of distant clucking, flapping, and cheeping. Your chickens might even cheerfully wander toward you, particularly if free-ranging. Then, later that evening, to your horror, you hear nothing when you walk into your chicken coop. What happened? Where …
After a surprisingly mild October, temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere are now plummeting, and it’s time to start thinking about how to keep your chickens warm in winter, ideally without electricity. To keep chickens warm in winter without electricity, you can winterize the coop by moving it, adding insulation, lining nesting boxes, sealing up cracks, …