Fairy Eggs

Fairy Egg 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…

Healthy Herbs For Chickens: Nettle

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…

Chicken Treat Recipe: Spring Greens and Herb Salad

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…

Choosing The Right Breeds For Your Flock

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…

Silver Lakenvelder

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…

Exchequer Leghorn

Exchequer Leghorn (Photo from Myer Hatchery) 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…

DIY Dust Bath For Your Flock

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…

Patience & Commitment

https://weekendhomesteaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/webrtcTmp.mp4 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. He…

DIY: Chicken Swing

In the spirit of enhancing your coop and providing your feathered friends with a source of entertainment and exercise, this month’s DIY project is a chicken swing! This simple yet effective addition to your chicken run not only enriches your chickens’ environment but also…

Roo-Tastic Revelations: What Could Go Wrong With Keeping A Rooster

While roosters play a crucial role in flock management, protection, and breeding, their behavior and the logistics of keeping them can present challenges. Understanding these potential issues can help poultry keepers make informed decisions about whether and how to incorporate roosters into their flocks….