Balancing Corporate & Homesteading Lifestyles
Marek’s Disease: The Basics
What is Marek’s Disease? Marek’s disease is a highly contagious viral illness that primarily affects chickens. It is caused by a herpesvirus, specifically the Marek’s disease virus (MDV), and is one of the most common and devastating poultry diseases worldwide. While chickens are the…
The World Doesn’t Stop: Life with Animals
When my kids were little, I quickly learned an unshakable truth: the world doesn’t stop when you’re sick or tired. The endless needs of little ones—snacks, cuddles, help with homework—don’t pause for your fever or exhaustion. It was tough, but I pushed through because…
Top 5 Biosecurity Tools To Make Disinfection Easier For Backyard Chicken Keepers
Keeping your flock healthy starts with clean coops and strong biosecurity measures. But let’s face it—disinfecting can feel like a chore. The good news? With the right tools, disinfection becomes faster, easier, and much more effective. Whether you’re cleaning the coop, protecting your boots,…
Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Disinfecting Their Coops 🐔🧼
Disinfecting your chicken coop is essential for maintaining a healthy flock and preventing diseases, but it’s easy to make mistakes that can leave harmful pathogens lurking behind. A properly disinfected coop keeps your birds happy, healthy, and productive. Here are the top 5 mistakes…
Disinfecting Wood: Here’s What You Need To Know
When disinfecting wood surfaces, such as wooden coops, roosts, or farm equipment, it’s essential to use a disinfectant that is effective against pathogens but also safe for the porous nature of wood. Wood absorbs liquids, so selecting a product that penetrates the surface while…
Disinfection Resistance
Disinfection resistance refers to the ability of certain pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites) to survive and persist despite the application of disinfectants that are intended to kill them. While disinfectants are crucial tools in maintaining biosecurity and reducing the spread of diseases, improper…
Herbs That Affect a Chicken’s Calcium Level
Certain herbs can potentially interfere with calcium absorption in chickens when fed in large quantities due to their natural chemical composition. Here’s a list of herbs that may deplete or reduce calcium availability and the reasons behind their effects: 1. Parsley Why it affects…
Why Are Your Hatching Eggs So Dirty? Causes and How to Prevent It
Hatching eggs can become dirty for several reasons, most of which are tied to the management and cleanliness of the nesting environment or the health and behavior of the laying hens. Dirty eggs not only reduce hatchability but also pose biosecurity risks by introducing…
Start Protecting Your Flock with Our Biosecurity Plan Template
Every backyard chicken keeper wants their flock to thrive in a safe, healthy environment—but managing biosecurity can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re just starting out. That’s why we created the Biosecurity Plan Template, a practical and easy-to-use tool designed to help you quickly identify…
The Ultimate Digital Collection for Backyard Chicken Enthusiasts
Whether you’re just starting your backyard chicken journey or you’ve been tending to your flock for years, the Weekend Homesteader Digital Collection has everything you need to make chicken-keeping a rewarding and fun experience. This collection brings together four of our most popular resources…
