It sounds like my hens are being tortured. The shrill cries, cackles, and shrieks they make when laying an egg are enough to have the neighbors making noise complaints or, on a particularly bad day, reporting a suspected murder. The ruckus made by my backyard chickens certainly sounds like an expression of discomfort, but does …
Welcome to the Outdoor Happens list of all-white chicken breeds! You know, hundreds of different chicken breeds exist, and every one of them has unique behavioral, physical, and physiological attributes. One of the most noticeable features to detect about any chicken is the color of its plumage. Did you know that there are countless black, …
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 …
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 healthy. However, things happen on the farm and ranch – unexpectedly. Like flat tires, surprise …
Have you ever seen chickens with afros? They get called crested chicken breeds on our homestead. And you only have to scratch the surface of the world of chickens to realize that there are countless weird and spectacular breeds out there. From hens with feathered legs to cockerels with brightly colored plumage, chickens come in a massive array of styles. …
If we would make a list of the world’s most hated creatures, I guarantee that the tick would make it to the top 3. These little bloodsuckers – about 700 hundred species of them – are not only pesky because they pierce our skin and suck our blood. They can also carry dangerous and debilitating …
We’ve all heard of Rhode Island Reds and Barred Rocks, but there’s a new star blazing its way into the hearts of homesteaders across the world. The Black Star chicken! Black Star chickens shine brightly in a backyard flock, outdoing the Plymouth Rock and other popular heritage breeds with their excellent egg production. Every breed …
Despite the name, a sex link chicken isn’t going to strut around your garden, making come hither eyes at you. They are pretty sexy, as far as chickens go, but the benefits they bring to the homestead are of a very different and more practical nature. You know how, when you order a flock of …
I found a duck egg this morning after several months of watching our 12 Indian runner ducks scoffing down food without giving us anything in exchange. It made me wonder what makes them stop laying and, more importantly, why, on a cold and wet autumnal day, they suddenly decided to start again. So, When Do …
Not all chickens were made equal. Some, like the Polish chicken, wear their crests with all the style of the most eye-catching fascinator at Ascot while others strut around in their tufts and buffs like something out of a Jane Austen novel. Chickens with fluffy, feathered feet don’t look quite as stylish, but are very …
A chicken twisting its head upside down is a disturbing sight. A symptom of wry neck, this condition is easy to treat, if a little time-consuming, and even easier to prevent. Wry neck can be caused by different issues, all of which we’ll address below. Genetic disorders Head injury Toxins Vitamin deficiencies You can prevent …
Chickens can add a new dimension to your life, whether you’re homesteading or living in an urban environment. Their most incredible super power is their ability to produce eggs but that’s not all they’ve got going for them. What Do I Need to Know Before Buying Chickens? Chickens bring multiple benefits to your backyard, homestead, …
Have your neighbor’s chickens claimed your yard as their own? Or, maybe your flock always wanders beyond their coop, and you want them to leave your yard? Either way, you want those chickens gone – and I’m about to reveal the nine smartest methods to keep chickens out of your yard. How to Keep Chickens …