Let me start by saying that we have had a little broodiness before.  No big deal…we moved the chicken out of the nesting box a few times, collected the eggs and all was good.  But this time…no eggs in the nesting box for two days!  The ladies ALWAYS lay their eggs in the same nesting […]

The Choo Choo Coop is actually a chicken tractor that makes as much use out of recycled materials as possible, and even has safeguards in place for possible predators.

Chicken coops are like real estate.  After all, a coop is a house, right?  Housing for humans and chickens are really needed for the same reason:  shelter from the elements of life.  How fancy or simple a house or coop is, depends on the person (not the chicken – I have yet to meet a […]

  I love meeting like minded chicken folks during my journey as a backyard chicken keeper. In fact, a few months ago I was able to connect with Dave and Tina, who have recently launched a brand new line of chicken products for backyard chicken keepers through their company, Luv Nest. I was excited to […]

by Jennifer Sartell of Iron Oak Farm When raising chickens it’s always important to have a “back up” plan. Just when you think everyone in the flock is happy, content and healthy, nature has a way of surprising us. Chickens can become ill or suffer injuries. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to […]

by Melissa Caughey of Tilly’s Nest   If you are like me and purchased baby chicks this past spring, soon enough your pullets will begin to lay their first eggs. For first time chicken keepers, sometimes the anticipation alone can make you feel like a kid on Christmas morning. The best part, is that feeling of […]

by Jennifer Sartell of Iron Oak Farm I have a goal this year. And that goal it to increase our turkey flock. We chose a heritage breed of turkeys because I wanted a breed that could sustain itself year to year after we harvested the birds that we plan to eat. Turkey poults are expensive […]

by Harry Hessen of For the Love of Chicken Poop   Spring is here, at least according to the calendar. Are you planning to get chicks and also build your own backyard coop for the first time? If so then you are probably just starting to gather information or have Googled every word related to […]

by Meredith Chilson Photos by author …when’s she gonna lay an egg? Not so very long ago I was waiting for the mailman to bring my box of baby chicks.  Now, I’m waiting again—for the very first egg from those same chicks.  They’re no longer considered chicks, though—they are “pullets”—the proper word for female chickens […]

by Harvey Ussery Photos by author Eggs from backyard flocks are some of the best eggs in the world. Those dependent on supermarket eggs may not even know what they’re missing out on. Chickens provide more food than just eggs. Necessary culling of the flock graces the dinner table with flavorful meat. But backyard flocks […]