First of a two-part series on butchering your chickens. Read Part Two by Krislee Johnson As we prepare to butcher I am getting excited over the prospect of putting meat in our freezer. The flock is in desperate need of being thinned out after this spring’s incubator hatch. With 31 birds, three of them being […]

Story and photos by Lori Leigh The name breakfast casserole is misleading, don’t you think? I think it’s safe to say that as chicken keepers, we have all tried different kinds of breakfast casserole recipes.  After all, it’s a great way to showcase those beautiful farm fresh eggs.  Many breakfast casserole recipes use a few […]

Story and photos by Krislee Johnson As they say, there’s a first time for everything!  Over the past month I had been hoping a couple of my birds might become broody.  Specifically, I was hoping for a broody chicken but instead a duck made my wish come true. Just Broody? Diller (aka Phyllis Diller) is […]

Jennifer Sartell Story and photos The term anthropomorphism is to assign human traits to animals or inanimate objects. Being active in many livestock forums, farm Facebook groups and other animal specific online communities, I’ve often heard this term used in an accusatory manner. Usually in the comment section of some article or post…people get upset […]

Story and photos by Lori Leigh Although chickens can be very entertaining, they can also be complex, and dare I say…frustrating.  For example, why, oh why do chickens break open eggs and eat them?  Mmm hmm…complex to understand and frustrating to stop.  Fresh eggs are one of the main reasons many people decide to raise […]

Jennifer Sartell Story and photos I’ve raised chickens since 1992. So that’s what?…25 years? Sheesh! Time flies when you’re raising chickens evidently. In those 25 years, I’ve noticed something. A correlation between offering a calcium supplement and difficult hatches. When I first started raising chickens there was no internet. No chicken forums, no Community Chickens. […]

Jennifer Sartell Story and photos It’s spring! As chicken keepers we should all be enjoying the increase of egg production with our flocks. The fall molt has long been over, the summer heat has not yet started and the longer daylight hours should be triggering a laying effect with your flock. Egg Laying Season This […]

Krislee Johnson, Story and photos After a long snowy winter, spring is the season for getting your lawn back in order. Some wouldn’t give it a second thought as they dutifully apply fertilizer or weed killer. Their only desire is to make their lawn a lush, blemish-free, carpet of green. However, those of us who […]

Lori Leigh Story and photos Reasons For Blowing-Out Eggs -Crafts and Easter egg coloring are great reasons to blow out an egg. -Filled with mustard (to hopefully stop an egg eater) is popular among many chicken keepers. -Farm fresh eggs make beautiful arrangements.  Blowing out the eggs will ensure that the eggs last. Tools and […]

  I am a huge fan of Essential Oils to help ease common ailments without having to submit to using man made pharmaceuticals or antibiotics. Oils can pack a big punch in a very small package. Best of all? They are natural! But, can you use them with your feathered flock? Choosing Oils In short, […]