Tag: Poultry

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 

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 

5 Things Baby Chicks Need

5 Things Baby Chicks Need

If you are thinking about trying your hand at baby chicks, that’s awesome! You’re totally in for some fun. But first we should have a little chat about five things baby chicks need in order to have a safe and happy life at your homestead 

It’s Perfectly Okay If You Don’t Free Range Your Chickens

It’s Perfectly Okay If You Don’t Free Range Your Chickens

Friends, I’m going to be bold and give you my opinion about something chicken-ish. Ready? Here goes: I think it’s perfectly okay if you don’t free range your chickens. (Don’t want to read all the words? This blog post is also a podcast—just press the 

Keeping a Rooster? Tips You’ll Need

Keeping a Rooster? Tips You’ll Need

A hen is a delightful feathered friend who will provide you with both eggs and entertainment. But in deciding to bring hens to your farm, you also need to decide if you will keep a rooster as well. Do you actually need a rooster? What 

Cornish Cross vs. Red Rangers: Our Meat Bird Experiment

Cornish Cross vs. Red Rangers: Our Meat Bird Experiment

After several years of raising Cornish Cross chickens as our meat birds, we decided it was time to compare them to another meat bird we’d been hearing a lot about: Red Rangers. So we did an experiment. I bet you’re here because you want to 

Should You Sell Chicken Eggs? A few things to consider…

Should You Sell Chicken Eggs? A few things to consider…

You have a coop full of chickens and you’re wondering if it’s time to set out on the adventure of selling farm fresh eggs. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons that come along with the decision to sell chicken eggs