Balancing Corporate & Homesteading Lifestyles
The Importance of Calcium & Grit in a Chicken’s Diet
Chickens, like all birds, have unique dietary needs that include the consumption of both grit and calcium. These components are crucial for their digestion and egg production, respectively. Understanding the why, when, and natural sources of these elements can help backyard poultry enthusiasts maintain…
Commitment, Integrity, and the Lessons Learned from a Challenging Rooster
Today, I want to chat about a topic that resonates deeply with me and perhaps with many of you as well—commitment to our goals, maintaining integrity, and holding true to our values, especially when the going gets tough. On our homestead, commitment isn’t just…
Our Newest Addition: Black Copper Maran
Black Copper Maran chicks The Marans chicken is a distinctive and highly valued breed known for its exceptionally dark brown eggs, a characteristic that sets it apart from other poultry breeds. Originating from Marans, France, this breed not only boasts beautiful eggshell coloration but…
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…
