Since receiving my turkeys mail order 2 months ago, our turkey chicks have proven to be tough little birds. Having only 5 made it imperative that they survive and it seemed, unlike many of our Cornish Cross chicks, they were rockin’ it.

  The one in the photo below was always calling for attention and loved […]

This brute of a breed may seem large and charge but the reality is, they’re amongst the sweetest most docile of breeds. The gentle giants come well equipped with amazing feathered feet and a small rose comb. Making them perfect for colder climates! Originally from India, Brahmas were intended as meat birds. However, it was […]

Silkies are a great breed When it comes to chickens, one breed seems to stick out over the rest. Everyone seems to have at least one of these little cuties in their flock. What breed am I talking about? The silkie, of course! These little Bantams aren’t just adorable, they also have some great attributes […]

How does your favorite mail-order hatchery stack up? After months of research, I compiled a list of what I feel are the top five hatcheries. I contacted and research sixteen well-known hatcheries, polling chicken lovers all over the country through forums and social media to acquire the consumers’ hands-on experiences, as well as my own […]

So, you’ve been raising chickens for a few years and now you think it’s time to try your hand at turkeys? Like chickens, turkeys come in heritage, production, and ornamental breeds. There are many great choices to be made in all categories. The choice comes down to your needs and wants in a turkey. Do […]

It’s chick season! I have to say that the feed stores are really stepping up their game when it comes to breed varieties. I have to believe that this is in response to the growing interest in chicken keeping. If you already have an existing flock but are interested in adding a few more birds […]

I just came in from our coops with a basket of eggs. These eggs will not be eaten. Instead, they will be going into my incubator. I mark the breed and the date with a pencil and set them in a labeled egg carton until I have enough to fill the incubator. This is one […]

So you’ve decided on a breed that you just can’t live without and you’ve found a breeder. Sometimes poultry breeds can be so rare that you may only have one choice when it comes to buying stock, so depending on how badly you want that breed, you may have to just accept the buyer’s terms. […]

After working on this article a few times, and gathering photos for it, an ironic thing happened the day I was going to post it. We had our first ever deadly predator attack.  First.  Ever. After raising approximately 200-300 meat birds a year and providing a year-round, safe environment for about forty pet and breeding […]

If I’ve learned anything in chicken keeping over the years, it’s been that it can be difficult to find a specific breed/breeder that you’re looking for. Each spring becomes this treasure hunt of internet searches, e-mails to breeders and poultry club administrators to find a breed I’ve been dreaming about for years. While chicken keeping […]