Jonathon Engels presents the good, the bad, and the guidelines to raising guinea fowl, so you can decide if this bird is right for you. My first encounter with a guinea fowl – and it is a memorable experience – happened in the jungles of Belize. My wife, Emma, and I were volunteering at a […]

If these large birds intrigue you, hear from a long-time emu breeder Alexandra Douglas about how to navigate raising them. All photos by author. There has been a growing popularity with emus over the last few years. Although the main uses for emus are for meat, eggs, and egg art, many are considering emus as […]

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 […]

Converting an old entertainment cabinet into a DIY chick brooder is a fun weekend project! Here’s how to create a sturdy and safe brooder that your chicks will love! A few years ago, I decided to turn an old entertainment cabinet into a DIY chick brooder. The brooder has been amazing! It’s super easy to […]

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 […]

These frozen yogurt treats are easy to make and they are a fun, healthy treat for your chickens on a hot summer day! During the warm summer, we all enjoy a nice cold treat! Frozen yogurt (aka “froyo”) is one of my favorite healthy treats to have on a hot day! But it wasn’t until […]

On the rural southwest Virginia road where my wife, Elaine, and I live, a number of folks raise chickens. Understandably, then, it’s common for us to exchange information on how our respective flocks are doing. So, several months ago, I wasn’t surprised to receive a frantic call from a neighbor that “some hawk is eating […]

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 […]

Selling your farm fresh eggs? There’s no doubt that farm fresh eggs are different from traditional store-bought eggs! Here are some important differences that you will want to mention to customers when selling your farm fresh eggs.  When the COVID-19 pandemic began effecting conventional sources of our food supply, many people began seeing empty grocery […]