Chicken Butchering Set Up: 7 Things You Need

Chicken Butchering Set Up: 7 Things You Need

Chicken butchering day is quite an event here at Clucky Dickens Farm. When we butcher, it’s usually no less than 50 birds at a time. I’d like to share with you the open air chicken butchering set up that we’ve come to use after several 

Choosing Between Ducks and Chickens for your Homestead

Choosing Between Ducks and Chickens for your Homestead

We keep both ducks and chickens here on our homestead and I’m often asked which I like better. If you’re looking to decide between ducks and chickens, here are a few similarities and differences between the two that may help you make your choice. (Don’t 

Best animals for a new homesteader

Best animals for a new homesteader

Folks who are interested in homesteading often ask me what animal(s) they should start with on their homestead. Should they get chickens? Ducks? Goats? Quail? Rabbits? A milk cow? What are the best animals for a new homesteader? Help me, Amy! I don’t know what 

Should You Help A Chick Hatch?

Should You Help A Chick Hatch?

It’s one of those controversial chicken raising topics: should you help a chick hatch? Some say yes, it’s your duty, while others say you should let nature take its course. It’s hard to know what to do. If you’re looking at a chick who has 

Hatching Chicks? Incubator vs. Broody Hen

Hatching Chicks? Incubator vs. Broody Hen

Chickens are often called the gateway animal. And while many of us won’t (and maybe shouldn’t) admit to how many chickens we have, there’s one thing for certain: we always think we need more. There is always the option of buying chicks, but today we 

The one surefire way to keep chickens water from freezing in the winter…

The one surefire way to keep chickens water from freezing in the winter…

As soon as the temps start to dip, the most common question I am asked is this: Amy, how do you keep chickens water from freezing in the winter? How do you keep their water open so they can drink it when the daytime high 

Gratitude: Why You Should Sit With Your Chickens

Gratitude: Why You Should Sit With Your Chickens

Back when I was brand new to chicken keeping, my flock was the most entertaining and inspiring thing I’d ever invested in. I devoted way more time than I should probably admit to watching them, discussing them, researching them, sitting with them, talking to them, 

How to Butcher a Chicken

How to Butcher a Chicken

While it was easy for me to write a post on how to butcher a pig and how to separate the many different cuts of pork, I slacked for awhile on writing a post about how to butcher a chicken. A chicken is significantly smaller than 

“Doesn’t butchering animals bother you?” Here’s my answer…

“Doesn’t butchering animals bother you?” Here’s my answer…

Because I’m a gal who writes and talks about butchering, I’m often asked, “Doesn’t butchering animals bother you?” The conversation usually goes something like this. Someone: You seem to really love and care for your animals. Me: I do. Someone: And you can still…butcher them? 

Supplemental Light for Chickens? Be Honest About THIS…

Supplemental Light for Chickens? Be Honest About THIS…

It’s one of the dividing wedges that can be driven straight through the chicken community: should you use supplemental light for chickens during the shorter days of the year? (Don’t want to read all the words? This blog post is also a podcast—just press the