Inexpensive, easy-to-build chicken coops Once you get caught up in the idea of having chickens, it’s easy to find yourself spending more on them and the coop then you ever thought you would. For many people chickens are a hobby as well as pets with benefits: I’m thinking of my wife and me. We spent […]

Small flocks have always been at the forefront of grassroots local production. During the COVID-19 pandemic, small producers proved that they’re an important part of continuity and resilience. The coronavirus shelter-in-place exposed issues of how American food production works – or doesn’t. Local sources became more important for putting food on the table. Community-supported agriculture […]

Every day of my apprenticeship begins with tending the chickens at the farm. I grab a couple bags of feed and head out to the pasture, my cheeks tingling with the cool, crisp air; my boots drenched with dew. As the golden morning light slowly cascades over the wet grass, I greet our flocks of […]

Keep your chickens cool and comfortable this summer with these 5 quick and easy ways to cool your chicken coop! Summer is right around the corner, which means that it’s time to start preparing for those inevitable heat waves! Heat can make us all miserable, and that includes our chickens! But, depending on the temperatures […]

Rotational grazing is a common practice in sustainable, large-acreage farming. The basic idea behind it is that, if farmers keep their animals moving to different grazing areas rather than permanently confined to a single paddock, they can maintain well-vegetated areas and healthier animals. Generally, this is done with succession of animals, each performing useful tasks […]

I love my free range chickens. And I love my garden! Unfortunately, though, the two don’t always get along! Chickens can quickly destroy a garden. Luckily, there are things you can do to help!  We enjoy a lot of benefits from letting our chickens free-range on our homestead! They provide bug control, help break down […]

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting everyone. Parents suddenly find themselves homeschooling their children, fights are breaking out over toilet paper, and people are losing their jobs at an alarming rate. It’s scary out there. There are a few effects of this pandemic that are unique to chicken owners. No matter if you have two hens […]

Acquiring baby chicks is always exciting! But what happens when a chick doesn’t turn out as planned and a deformity is present? When it comes to raising chicks there are a few common deformities that you may experience from time to time. Hand-picking chicks from a breeder or farm store can help to minimize the […]

I have a confession to make, I used to be afraid of chickens. I am fine getting on a 1000-pound animal and riding through hill and dale, but chickens used to seriously freak me out. Where this irrational fear came from, I’m not sure, I do know how I got over it. I was boarding […]

We are all familiar with the concept of Victory Gardens, but did you realize that backyard chickens were also important in the “fight on the home front” during WWI and WWII? In fact, suburban chicken-keeping was highly encouraged!  A Brief History of Backyard Chickens: During WWI and WWII, those on the home front joined the […]