Balancing Corporate & Homesteading Lifestyles
Seasonal Chicken Treat: Berry & Herb Frozen Yogurt Cubes
As the weather warms up, treat your chickens to a refreshing and nutritious snack with these Berry & Herb Frozen Yogurt Cubes. Perfect for spring and summer, this treat will help keep your flock cool and happy.
Teaching Your Chicken to Perform a Trick: The “Come When Called” Trick
Training chickens can be a fun and rewarding activity that strengthens the bond between you and your feathered friends. One of the most useful and impressive tricks you can teach your chicken is to come when called.
Containers for Growing Herbs and Vegetables: Types, Pros, and Cons
Growing herbs and vegetables in containers is an excellent solution for those with limited garden space or who want to maximize their growing potential. Here, we explore different types of containers you can use, along with their pros and cons.
Not Your Average Roosters
UPDATE: No Longer Available. If you are looking for a hand-raised rooster, contact us as we will have occasional availability.
If you are looking for that special rooster to join your flock, you have come to the right place.
This is a great opportunity to get started with the Deathlayer breed!
Available Now:
Hey! Are you ready to add a touch of flair and a whole lot of charm to your flock?
Say hello to Okkara, our dazzling Deathlayer cockerel, and the superstar you’ve been waiting for!
Why You’ll Love Okkara:
- Farm Fresh Rockstar: Hatched on 3/7/2024, Okkara was bred and hatched right here on our NPIP-certified farm. He’s got the best genes and a winning personality!
- Show-Stopper Genes: With relatives strutting their stuff and winning Best of Breed at shows, Okkara is destined for greatness. He’s got the look and the lineage!
- Handled with Love: Okkara isn’t just a pretty face—he’s been handled regularly and is a total sweetheart. Perfect for adding a friendly feathered friend to your coop.
But Wait, There’s More! Okkara’s got a cool buddy—a unique Deathlacer (that’s a Deathlayer hybrid for the uninitiated)! Just like Okkara, this hatch mate is much loved, well-handled, and ready to rock your world.
Why Luxe is the Perfect Addition:
- Best of Both Worlds: Luxe combines the best traits of the Deathlayer with hybrid robustness. He's handsome, hardy, and ready to thrive in your backyard.
- Star-Quality Genes: With relatives winning Best of Breed at shows, Luxe has the pedigree to impress and the potential to shine.
- Personality Plus: Luxe is not just a pretty face. His friendly and sociable nature makes her a joy to have around and a perfect companion for your flock.
Why You Need Okkara or Luxe in Your Life:
- Add some serious pizzazz to your flock with stunning looks and friendly natures.
- Impress your friends and neighbors with a chicken that comes from award-winning lines.
- Enjoy the fun and excitement of raising a future champion!
Don’t miss out on the chance to bring home this feathered superstar. Okkara or Luxe are ready to rock your roost and become the stars of your flock.
And there is more:
Available soon! Pita Pinta cockerels, hatched 4/12/2024. We have 8 chicks and have identified at least 3 cockerels, we will be keeping one cockerel and several hens.
If you are interested, contact us and we will add you to our waiting list and contact you when they are available.
The Pros and Cons of a Hybrid Rooster
Hybrid roosters, often called crossbreeds, result from breeding two different chicken breeds to combine desirable traits. These roosters can offer several advantages but also come with some potential drawbacks.
Here is a detailed analysis of the pros and cons of hybrid roosters.
Teach Your Chicken to Jump Through a Hoop
Teaching your chicken to jump through a hoop is a fun and rewarding trick that can also help to keep your chickens active and mentally stimulated.
Here’s how you can do it:
The Difference Between Chicken Wire and Hardware Cloth
Understanding the differences between chicken wire and hardware cloth will help you better predator-proof your coop. Here's what you need to know.
Rooster Behavior: Scouting For Food & Protection While Eating
Roosters fulfill several critical roles within the hierarchy of a chicken flock, prominently among them are scouting for food and protecting the flock during feeding. These behaviors are not only fundamental to the rooster's role as a leader but also essential for the safety and nutritional health of the entire flock.
Here’s an in-depth look at each of these important behaviors:
Scouting for Food
- Proactive Foragers:
- Roosters are typically the most active and vigilant members of a chicken flock when it comes to searching for food. They use their heightened senses to locate food sources that may not be immediately obvious.
- They often venture farther from the coop than the hens, exploring diverse environments to assess the availability of food, which can include seeds, insects, and small invertebrates.
- Leadership in Foraging:
- When a rooster finds a significant source of food, he will often signal to the hens using specific calls. This not only helps in directing the hens to food but also reinforces the rooster's role as a leader.
- The rooster's ability to find and share food resources plays a key role in the pecking order, enhancing his status and importance within the flock.
- Use of Visual and Vocal Signals:
- Roosters often use a combination of movements and noises to catch the attention of their flock. A common behavior is the tidbitting motion, where the rooster picks up and drops food while making distinctive sounds to alert the hens that food is available.
- Assessment of Safety:
- Before signaling the hens, roosters will typically ensure that the food source is safe. This involves a quick survey of the surrounding area for potential threats, ensuring the safety of the flock before they begin to eat.
Protection While Eating
- Vigilance:
- As the hens feed, the rooster’s role shifts predominantly to that of a lookout. Staying alert, the rooster watches for potential predators or other dangers, allowing the hens to feed without distraction or distress.
- This vigilance is crucial, particularly in open areas or where the flock is more exposed to potential threats from aerial or ground predators.
- Positioning:
- During feeding, roosters often position themselves on a slightly elevated point or an open spot where they have a clear view of the surroundings. This strategic positioning helps them to detect threats more efficiently.
- Roosters may also patrol the area, walking around the flock, to keep a constant watch over different angles.
- Immediate Response:
- If a threat is detected, roosters respond immediately, often with loud alarm calls that signal the hens to flee to safety. They may also confront or try to distract predators to protect the hens and chicks.
- Roosters are known for their bravery, facing off against much larger predators to defend their flock.
- Post-Feeding Gathering:
- Once the feeding is complete, roosters typically lead the hens back to the safety of the coop or to another secure area. This ensures that the flock remains cohesive and protected throughout the day’s activities.
These behaviors exemplify the rooster's integral role in not only the survival of the flock but also in maintaining its social structure. By scouting for food and providing vigilant protection, roosters contribute significantly to the overall well-being and productivity of the flock, demonstrating their importance as more than just breeders within the community.
Healthy Herbs For Chickens: Oregano
Oregano is more than just a culinary herb; it is a powerhouse of nutrients and beneficial properties that can greatly enhance the health of backyard chickens. Here’s a detailed look at why oregano is beneficial for chickens, how it can be used, and tips for growing it near your coop.
Nutritional and Health Benefits of Oregano for Chickens:
- Antibacterial and Antimicrobial Properties: Oregano contains carvacrol and thymol, two compounds that have been shown to provide antibacterial and antimicrobial benefits. These compounds help in fighting against common bacterial infections like E. coli and Salmonella, which are of particular concern in poultry.
- Antioxidant Properties: Oregano is rich in antioxidants, which help combat the effects of oxidative stress in chickens. This is particularly beneficial for improving the overall immune system, making chickens more resilient against diseases.
- Anti-Parasitic Effects: Some studies suggest that oregano can help reduce the load of intestinal parasites which are common in chickens.
- Respiratory Health: The herb is known to help with respiratory health, easing symptoms of respiratory diseases which can be common in chickens, especially in damp conditions.
How to Use Oregano with Chickens:
- Dried Oregano in Feed: You can mix dried oregano directly into your chickens’ feed. A general recommendation is to mix about 1% of the total feed volume as dried oregano. This method is the easiest way to ensure that all chickens receive its benefits.
- Fresh Oregano: If you grow oregano, you can offer fresh leaves to your chickens. They can peck at these leaves as part of their forage. Fresh oregano is not only a treat but also provides a potent dose of essential oils.
- Oregano Oil Supplement: Commercially prepared oregano essential oil can be used as a dietary supplement. Add a few drops to their drinking water as per the product’s dosage instructions. Be cautious with concentration as essential oils are potent.
- Oregano Tea: Another way to administer oregano is by making an herbal tea. Steep oregano leaves in hot water, cool the mixture, and add it to the chickens' water supply. This can be particularly soothing if chickens are showing signs of respiratory distress.
Growing Oregano for Chickens:
- Planting Location: Oregano is a hardy perennial that thrives in full sun. It can be planted directly in the garden or in containers. If planting near the chicken coop, ensure it is protected from over-foraging by chickens.
- Soil Requirements: Plant oregano in well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Oregano does not require highly fertile soil and can do well in average conditions.
- Watering: Oregano needs regular watering initially but is quite drought-tolerant once established. Overwatering or poor drainage can lead to root diseases.
- Harvesting: Harvest oregano leaves as needed. For the best flavor and potency, harvest leaves just before the plant flowers. Cut the stems back to encourage bushier growth.
- Winter Care: In colder climates, mulch around the plants in autumn to protect them from freezing temperatures.
Using oregano in your chicken care routine provides a natural and effective way to support their health, acting as a supplement to their diet and an integral part of holistic poultry management. Not only does it benefit the chickens, but it also reduces the need for synthetic medications, aligning with more sustainable and organic farming practices.
