I’ll never forget my first winter with chickens. One morning, I went out to check on the girls, and the waterers were frozen solid. The hens were huddled together, giving me that look that only chickens can give, part complaint, part trust. That was when I realized winter chicken care takes a little more thought […]
Raising Chickens in Cold Climates: Cozy Tips for You and Your Flock Read Post »
One sick hen can stop you in your tracks. I remember the first time I noticed something was wrong. My pullets were about 6 weeks old, normally darting around like they owned the place. Then one morning, I spotted one hunched in the corner, feathers puffed, eyes half closed. By afternoon, the droppings told the
Preventing Coccidiosis in Chickens: What Every Backyard Keeper Should Know Read Post »
When you first bring chickens home, it feels simple: grab a bag of feed, fill the feeder, and walk away. Then one morning you notice a pale comb, rough feathers, or a hen laying a soft egg, and the questions start: Am I feeding them right? I still remember standing in my kitchen one summer
What Do Chickens Eat? Secrets to Superior Chicken Feed Read Post »
A Forager’s Guide to Feeding Backyard Birds When I first started raising chickens, I was convinced I needed to buy every fancy feed on the market. Pellets, crumbles, supplements, grit mixes with herbs I couldn’t pronounce. I spent more time reading feed labels than cereal boxes at the store. But then something shifted. It started
If you’ve never seen a bantam chicken hopping across the yard like it owns the place, you’re in for a treat. Around here, our bantam Cochin hen, Mabel, is queen of the porch steps and self-appointed supervisor of anyone filling feed bowls. At about half the size of a standard chicken, bantams are often overlooked,
Bantam Chickens: Tiny Packages with Big Personality Read Post »
I still remember our first real winter with chickens. Late November came in fast. One morning I opened the coop and Doris gave me a look like, “You expect me to walk in this?” The wind cut through everything, and the snow was already two inches deep by sunrise. But you know who handled it
Cold Hardy Chicken Breeds That Handle Winter Like Pros Read Post »
There’s not much my chickens won’t at least try once. You drop something into the run, and before it even hits the ground, someone’s pecking it. Grapes? Gone in seconds. Celery? They’ll tug at the strings like they’re doing yard work. Even the occasional watermelon rind gets pecked into a thin shell. But the first
Can Chickens Eat Bananas? What My Flock Had to Say About It Read Post »
One morning last fall, I opened the coop and saw something no chicken keeper wants to see: a splatter of loose, watery droppings right under the roost. Not the usual cecal poop. Not one of those “normal weird” ones. This one looked… off. I waited and watched. Within a few minutes, I saw Betty take
Diarrhea in Chickens: Causes, Treatment, and What I Do When It Hits the Coop Read Post »
I was raised to believe that chickens could eat just about anything. Table scraps, garden trimmings, yesterday’s toast. If it wasn’t moldy or meat, it went to the flock. So when I dropped some potato peels into the scrap bucket one evening, I didn’t think twice. The next morning, I scattered them into the run
Can Chickens Eat Potatoes? What I Learned the Hard Way Read Post »
I’ve brought home a lot of chickens over the years. Some arrived in boxes from hatcheries. Others were local trades. One just showed up in my yard and stayed. And every single time, introducing a new bird to my flock has made me pause. It’s not just about opening the gate and seeing what happens.
How to Introduce a New Chicken to the Flock Without Upsetting the Coop Read Post »
I’ll never forget the first time I tried to add chicks into my flock. It was early spring, and I thought my older hens would be polite. Maybe a little curious. I pictured a slow stroll around the run and everyone settling in by dinner. Instead? Marlene charged the brooder fence like a linebacker.Henrietta paced
From Peep to Pecking Order: When to Introduce Chicks to the Flock Read Post »
The first time I tried to hatch an egg, I didn’t even own an incubator. I’d read a dozen blog posts, watched every backyard chicken video on YouTube, and thought I was ready. I had the eggs. I had the excitement. I had a kitchen towel and a flashlight I didn’t know how to use.
How to Raise a Chicken Egg (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Brooder) Read Post »
I thought feeding chickens would be the easy part. You scoop the feed, fill the dish, walk away. Right? At least, that’s what I believed… until Doris started bullying the others at breakfast, Henrietta stopped laying, and Marlene looked like she was trying to enter a “plumpest hen” contest. That’s when I realized: I wasn’t
How Much Should You Feed Chickens Per Day? (Hard-Won Lessons From My Coop) Read Post »
You’re cleaning up after breakfast and spot half an avocado on the counter. Your chickens are staring at you, hoping for a treat. It’s green, it’s fresh, and you’re tempted to toss it in the run. But wait. Before you share, know this: avocado can be dangerous, even deadly, for your flock. If you’ve ever
Can Chickens Eat Avocado? The Risk Every Keeper Should Know Read Post »
If you’ve ever stood in your kitchen with celery in hand and a flock of pet chickens watching you, you’re not alone. Many beginners wonder: can chickens eat celery? I made this guide to cover the facts, clear up common questions, and help you make snack time safe and fun for your backyard flock. Can
Can Chickens Eat Celery? The Crunchy Truth for Every Pet Chicken Keeper Read Post »