Homemade diy chick brooder designs! Chicks need supplemental heating during their first few weeks. In other words? Those cute balls of fluff need special care to help stay warm. Before long, they turn into lovely pin-feathered adolescents. But in the…
If you find yourself torn between keeping your beloved chickens in a coop but are nervous about letting them free-range, you should consider using a chicken tractor. Your hens will safely be able to explore new patches of ground each…
How long can chickens go without water? Water is life – and there is no way around this fact. Like humans, all animals we take care of need to have a supply of clean drinking water to stay happy and…
Need chicken nesting box ideas? Start here! Chickens are amazing. They provide so much and generally ask for very little. They are often a staple of any homestead, farm, ranch, or household. With a tiny space and a little effort…
If you’re new to keeping hens or want to expand your little flock, then the nesting boxes are vital. Here’s why. Hens are fussy (and fickle) creatures. And if they don’t like their nesting boxes or there aren’t enough, they…
If cows, sheep, or horses live on your homestead, you will likely have come across alfalfa. This versatile animal food contains loads of nutritional benefits and is excellent for keeping your farm livestock in prime condition. But what about your…
While the Northern Hemisphere is in the grips of winter, here in South Africa, we’re quietly sweltering. The temperature doesn’t drop much at night either, and as I’m a natural worrier (not warrior), these warm nights have me tossing and…
Very few natural phenomena cause as much disgust in humans as a clump of tiny, wiggly maggots. However, your chickens have a completely different perspective. To an average chicken, maggots are equivalent to French fries. They don’t care if they’re…
When I first considered raising hens on my backyard hobby farm, one benefit rose quickly to the forefront – no more wasting food! Two of my three kids are champion food wasters. Well, the chickens will eat it, soon became a…
A few years ago, after many failed attempts, one of our hens finally managed to hatch a clutch of six chicks. Soon afterward, my delight turned to despair – four of the six were roosters! As our cute fluffy chicks matured into…
Many new chicken owners take on a small flock of hens, thinking that chicken-keeping is a doddle. But then realize that their newly-introduced poultry is much pickier than they thought! That’s because chickens need a few home comforts to keep…
For many years, I only fed my chickens whole or cracked corn. I hoped they were getting all the nutrients needed from the bugs, seeds, fruit, and the surrounding pasture. After a while, however, I noticed my chickens were hardly…
Chicken meat is a healthy and classic family (and farm) staple! But rooster meat has a reputation for being inedible, chewy, bland, and not worth eating. Is that true? Can you eat a rooster? Or not? The confusion between chicken…
Along with the fruits and vegetables you raise in your garden, you also raise livestock that depends upon you for a safe environment. If you love chickens, in particular, you will need to find the best protective shelter for them…
If you’re new to keeping chickens, it may surprise you to know that they don’t like to sleep on the floor. Chickens need a place to roost, relax, and feel safe at night! A place where they can sleep stress-free…