Balancing Corporate & Homesteading Lifestyles
Fairy eggs, also known as witch eggs, wind eggs, or cock eggs, are a curious phenomenon in the world of poultry, fascinating both seasoned farmers and backyard chicken enthusiasts alike.
These tiny, yolkless eggs, often found unexpectedly in the nest, carry a charm and mystery that have sparked interest and folklore for centuries. This article delves into the science behind fairy eggs, their historical significance, and what they mean for the health and welfare of your chickens.
Nettle (Urtica dioica), often overlooked due to its stinging reputation when fresh, is actually a powerhouse of nutrition and health benefits, making it an excellent herb for chickens. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, dried nettle offers numerous advantages when included in your flock's diet or living environment. Here's why nettle is a healthy herb for chickens and how you can incorporate it into their care routine.
Nutritional BenefitsNettle is rich in essential nutrients that are beneficial for chicken health, including:
Health BenefitsAdding nettle to your chickens' diet or coop environment can offer several health benefits:
How to Use Nettle for ChickensTo safely introduce nettle to your chickens and reap its benefits, consider the following methods:
Best PracticesWhen introducing nettle or any new food to your chickens' diet, start with small amounts to monitor their reaction. Ensure that nettle is only a supplement to a well-balanced diet and not the primary food source. Always provide fresh water and maintain clean living conditions for your flock. In conclusion, nettle stands out as a healthy herb for chickens, offering a range of benefits from improved feather health to enhanced egg production. By incorporating dried nettle into their diet or coop environment, you can naturally support the health and happiness of your flock. Growing Nettle (Urtica dioica)Difficulty to Grow: Easy Nettle is a hardy and vigorous perennial herb that thrives with minimal intervention, making it one of the easier plants to grow for gardeners of all experience levels. Its resilience and ability to adapt to various conditions contribute to its ease of cultivation. Starting Nettle: Nettle can be started from seeds, cuttings, or root divisions. Seeds can be sown directly into the garden in spring or fall. For a quicker establishment, root divisions or cuttings from an existing plant can be planted directly into their final growing spot. Remember to handle with care to avoid the sting of the mature plant. Soil Requirements: Nettle is not fussy about soil and can grow in a range of soil types, including poor soils. However, it prefers a rich, moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 6 to 7. Nettle tends to thrive in nitrogen-rich conditions. Light Requirements: Nettle grows well in both full sun and partial shade. While it can tolerate a variety of light conditions, a spot with some sunlight will promote more vigorous growth and higher nutritional content in the leaves. Watering: While nettle is relatively drought-tolerant once established, it prefers consistent moisture. Water the plants regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, especially in dry conditions, to encourage lush growth. Spacing: When planting nettle, space the plants or seeds about 12 to 18 inches apart. This spacing allows ample room for growth and helps to manage its spread within the garden. Pruning: Pruning is not typically required for nettle, as it is often harvested before it gets too large. Regular harvesting of the top leaves and stems encourages new growth and prevents the plant from becoming too tall and leggy. Container Growing: Growing nettle in containers is a great way to control its spread and makes it easier to manage. Use a medium to large pot with drainage holes and a quality potting mix. Ensure the soil stays moist and place the container in a spot that receives partial to full sun. Nettle, with its easy-to-grow nature and multitude of benefits ranging from culinary uses to medicinal applications, is a valuable addition to any garden. Just remember to handle with care to avoid the sting, and consider wearing gloves when planting, harvesting, or working with the plant. |
With the arrival of spring, the world awakens with fresh greens and herbs, making it the perfect time to treat your chickens to a nutrient-rich salad. This Spring Greens and Herb Salad combines tender young leaves, sprouted grains, and herbs, offering a boost of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support the health and happiness of your flock. Here's how to prepare this delightful seasonal treat:
This Spring Greens and Herb Salad is a simple, wholesome way to treat your chickens, encouraging natural foraging behavior and providing them with a variety of nutrients to keep them healthy and happy as they enjoy the fresh bounty of spring.
Choosing the right chicken breeds for your flock is a critical decision that can influence your experience with backyard poultry keeping. Whether you're interested in eggs, meat, companionship, or a combination, understanding the characteristics of different breeds helps ensure your chickens fit well with your lifestyle, environment, and goals.
Here's what you need to know to make an informed choice:
First, define what you want from your chickens:
Consider your local climate and choose breeds that can thrive in your weather conditions:
The personality of the chicken breed can affect flock dynamics and your enjoyment of them:
The amount of space you have available can also dictate the best breeds for your situation:
Egg color and size might also influence your choice of breed, though this is often a matter of personal preference:
Some breeds are hardier and more resistant to diseases, while others may require more care and attention:
If adding to an existing flock, consider the temperament of your current chickens and the newcomers to ensure a smooth integration. Some breeds mix better with others, and understanding the social dynamics of chickens can help prevent issues.
By taking the time to research and consider these factors, you can select chicken breeds that will thrive in your environment, meet your goals, and bring joy to your homesteading experience. Remember, each breed has its unique characteristics and charm, making them a rewarding addition to any backyard or farm.
Here's a list of some of the most common chicken breeds, highlighting their qualities to help you make an informed decision.
Each breed offers unique advantages, and your choice should align with your specific needs, preferences, and environment. Whether you prioritize egg production, meat yield, or simply the joy of keeping chickens, there's a breed that fits every backyard flock's requirements.
At C&C Homestead, we take pride in our unique and captivating hybrids. The Deathlacer, a hybrid breed that embodies the beauty and gentle nature we strive for in our poultry endeavors. Born from a meticulous crossbreeding process exclusive to our homestead, the Deathlacer boasts an extraordinary appearance remarkably sweet temperaments.
Friendly and sociable, these chickens have become not just a part of our daily routines but also a source of joy and companionship.
The Deathlacer chicken represents the pinnacle of our commitment to breeding not only for beauty but for the gentle and amiable nature that makes each interaction with them a delight.
The Silver Lakenvelder is an intriguing and historically significant breed of chicken, celebrated for its distinctive beauty and spirited disposition. Tracing its origins back to Germany and the Netherlands during the early 19th century, the breed's name, "Lakenvelder," translates to "white spread over a black field" in Dutch, aptly describing its unique coloration. This visual appeal, combined with its utility, has garnered the Silver Lakenvelder a dedicated following among poultry enthusiasts.
The Exchequer Leghorn is a striking and relatively rare variety of the well-known Leghorn chicken breed, celebrated for its distinctive plumage and excellent egg-laying capabilities. Originating from Italy and later refined in Britain and America, the Leghorn breed has been a favorite among poultry enthusiasts for centuries. The Exchequer variation, in particular, boasts an intriguing history and a unique appearance that sets it apart from other Leghorn varieties.
Creating a dust bath for your chickens is a simple and fun project that will greatly benefit their health and well-being. Chickens naturally bathe in dust to keep themselves clean by removing mites, lice, and other parasites from their feathers and skin. Here's a detailed guide on how to make an effective dust bath for your feathered friends:
There is so much we can learn from the simple things in life around us. My rooster Melody is a perfect example. I committed a lot of time and patience to raising him. It didn't happen overnight ... but he trusts me.
I am in a lot of chicken Facebook groups and have seen too many people posting about injuries from their roosters.
It is very sad and frustrating because most of these injuries could have been prevented if the "keeper" had been informed and prepared for the challenges of keeping a rooster.
Sweet and cuddly roosters do exist, some may come by it naturally, but most have learned to trust and peacefully co-exist with their people.
Roo-berty (rooster puberty) and mating season are generally the most challenging times.
My first experience with keeping a rooster did not go well. I stopped handling him around 6 weeks when he was feathered and able to go outside. My run was set up so I could never catch him. He tried to flog anyone who got near the run. We lived with it. I did not want a rooster, but I wanted Orpingtons (straight run) so I got 2 thinking 50-50 chance for a rooster. And yes, I got a rooster and a hen. Sadly he was killed by a raccoon protecting his flock.
Remembering chickens are prey animals, the rooster, as protector, has a very strong protective instinct. That is his job!
Some breeds have more aggressive and dominant instincts than others and each rooster has a unique personality and temperament.
Roosters are amazing, they are fun and loving animals but they aren't for everyone. They require a commitment. We can always hope for the sweet rooster that loves people but be prepared for the ones that don't. So many people treat them as disposable and either cook, mistreat, dump, or rehome them at the first signs of normal rooster behavior. Roosters are worthy of respect and humane treatment.
In no particular order, here are some things to think about, tips, and lessons I have learned.
1) Don't get or try to keep a rooster if you haven't done your research and know what to possibly expect.
2) Roosters hit puberty typically between 4-6 months - some sooner or later depending on the breed. Some young cockerels will show dominant behavior at a young age. This is a really good time to observe their behavior.
3) The signs of puberty are subtle but there. For some, it seems like the flick of a switch, one day your roo is sweet and doesn't mind you hanging around the hens and the next day he is flogging you.
4) Don't turn your back on a rooster. If he sees you as a predator, as an opportunist (which roosters are), he will take advantage of your distraction. Especially don't bend over or let your rooster get face level. Spurs or a bite in the face could cause a lot of damage.
5) Dress appropriately around your rooster. Don't wear flip flops, shorts or even real thin clothing until you know what to expect. Spurs and beaks can do damage. I personally wear bib overalls when in with my roosters. I can still feel the flog (if it happens) but they can't break the skin. I also wear gloves when picking up my biters.
6) Some people suggest you present yourself as a bigger, aggressive rooster, so your rooster sees you as the dominant one in the flock. Remember if your rooster views you as dominant and he wants to be dominant, he will challenge you when he thinks he has the opportunity to win (when you aren't looking). It's best to earn trust as a caretaker than gain dominance as a member of the flock.
7) Kicking, carrying upside down, or pressing your rooster into the dirt is only going to create fear, not trust. It's abuse (would you do that to a dog or cat). Your rooster may run from you or avoid you ... but given the opportunity and advantage, he will likely try to attack at some point. If you ever have plans to hold him or treat him for injuries, good luck.
8) Roosters have bad days, just like people. If a predator is in the area or bad weather, he may be more on edge and extra vigilant. Let him have his space and interact at a minimum until he calms down.
9) Roosters, again unique, may not like certain colors. I had red Ugg rubber boots that I loved, Storm, my rooster didn't care for them. I no longer wear them around him.
10) Consistency. Roosters do well with consistency and routine. As silly as it sounds, when I close up the coop at night or open it in the morning I sing Zippity -Do Dah (LOL, it was the first song I could think of and now I'm stuck with it.) Before I started doing this, Storm would come barreling out of the coop when I approached. Now, he hears me singing and so far so good.
11) Use a barrier of some sort to protect yourself when going in the run. I use a net. At first Storm was afraid of it but now isn't. I have used it on occasion when I need to catch him but I always carry it and use it as a barrier. I have never hit him with it or done anything to make him fear it. I also use it when closing the coop door. The handle allows me to cover the coop door when I'm far enough away that if he should charge out, the net serves as a barrier. Having my face at coop door level is inviting disaster if I can't close the door fast enough.
12) Roosters crow. Your neighbors may complain. Know your local laws and ordinances. We have no restrictions but my neighbors weren't happy with early morning crowing. The boys don't go outside until 8am. It was a compromise I had to make to keep peace with the neighbors.
13) Win them over with good treats!
14) Some roosters are nicer than others. Just because your rooster goes after you doesn't mean he's aggressive. (In reverse, there are some roosters that are aggressive - just like dogs) and not meant for a family backyard flock.) He is acting on instinct. Much of the final outcome will be dependent on you and how you react to his behavior. Do you make him feel threatened?
15) If you have young kids, think it through. It may not be the time for a rooster or look for a family friendly older rooster. You might have to wait a while, but they are out there.
16) Just because you hatched him or raised him from a day old doesn't mean he won't question whether you are a threat when puberty hits him. Instincts are powerful.
17) Don't look at roosters through your eyes, but learn to see your rooster through his eyes.
Roosters are a great addition to any flock as long as you are prepared and know what to expect. They aren't hens and don't typically act like hens. They may change the flock dynamics. Just do your research and you will be prepared to face the challenges they might throw at you.
Navigating Rooster Puberty & Hormones
What Could Go Wrong With Keeping A Rooster
And that’s not all—subscribe today, and you’ll receive a FREE Egg Collection Tracker and Companion Planting Guide as a thank you for joining our community.