Ever wondered the difference between being "involved" and being truly "committed? Look at the difference between chickens and pigs! What do you want to learn about raising chicks? Want a couple of pigs to raise for your own meat (buy as weaners in the spring and butcher in the fall) Want to learn about getting started on the path to growing healthy wholesome … [Read more...]
Fodder for the Laying Hens
Here's another thing I am adding to my list of goals - producing fodder for our chickens. I have been doing some research into sprouting grains and am finding some interesting stuff. I'd like to cut down the feed bill. During the growing season, our chickens (and pigs) have their own garden here. We set aside a large area and grow lots of different vegetables for all of them to eat. If … [Read more...]
Chicken Farming 101
Chickens are hard workers in our barnyard. Every animal we raise here has a job to do while they are with us. If you want to have chickens, here's some of what we've learned having our girls. Think of it as Chicken Farming 101! Our chickens are always working. They are trying to find food and working the soil. They work to keep the bugs down (have you ever watched … [Read more...]
Is an Egg for Breakfast Worth This?
Here's a good article about how commercial factories raise chickens in order to sell their eggs. Commercial chicken practices can include simply terrible living conditions for hens. It's all about the eggs to those businesses. I've included the link to the New York Times so please head over there to read the entire article. Is an Egg for Breakfast Worth This? _______ Supermarket … [Read more...]
Raising Heritage Chickens in the North
Here's something worth considering. If you're thinking of getting a flock of chickens, consider getting a heritage breed. Do some research as to your weather conditions, how harsh your winter is and how much natural vegetation you have in season. Then get some heritage breed chickens! They know how to forage and they're used to being outdoors. If you live in a northern climate and have … [Read more...]
Chicken Questions and Answers
Want to start raising chickens? Wondering how to get started? Here are a few chicken questions and answers to get things going. Chickens are a fantastic addition to your backyard or homestead. If your city doesn't yet allow backyard chickens, consider getting involved in the growing movement to change council's mind. While I can understand urban areas not allowing roosters, I … [Read more...]
Chicken Farmin’ 101
Chickens are hard workers in our barnyard. They work to keep the bugs down (have you ever watched chickens chasing bugs? Hilarious stuff!). They work over and fluff up our composting manure piles in their search for bits of grain and worms. Plus, they lay some of the best tasting eggs you will eat. Don't knock farm fresh eggs. They taste SO different from those store bought … [Read more...]
The Next Generation of Chicken Farmers
Ever noticed that kids like chickens? At the very least, even if they are a bit nervous, they want to know about the chickens. We love showing off our girls to any kids (or adults) that come along. If we're lucky and we play our cards right, we assimilate a few of them...into chicken farmers. That's right, chicken farmers. We hope they'll have kids of their own one day and they will turn … [Read more...]
8 Pounds in 8 Weeks: Raising Day Old Chicks for the Dinner Table
Ever wondered about raising some of your own meat? We find the chickens we raise taste so much better than the watery chicken we have bought at the grocery store. Once we started raising a few birds every year, we got hooked on them. Filling the freezer is pretty easy and it only takes 8 weeks from start to finish. Now, almost every year we raise a few meat birds to enjoy all year around. We … [Read more...]
