Want an easy (and free) way to feed your hens? Have you heard of black soldier fly larvae? Not sure what the big deal is? In this article, I’ll show you how we raise these insects on our farm – and why they’re such a valuable food source for your flock. You’ll also get our […]

Why keep guineas? After all, they’re so strange-looking that one of the men who delivered our dishwasher refused to get out of the truck. His partner had to lug the appliance in on his own, clasped in brawny arms, while glancing nervously over his shoulder. He admitted that they both were city guys, so any […]

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 […]

Pet turkeys?! While it may seem a bit unconventional, keeping turkeys as pets is becoming more popular. And it’s easy to see why! Turkeys are generally low maintenance and make a good outdoor animal. They bond well to their families and enjoy being social. We never expected to have a pet turkey! But, in a […]

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 […]

Like most everyone else that has fresh eggs, I struggle with peeling after hard boiling them. I have tried all the traditional and unique approaches. Add baking soda to the water, or some say baking powder—boiling and ice bathing. How about a genuine egg cooker? Have one of those too, not impressed! I’ve attempted steaming […]

 Incubating and hatching your own quail is rewarding for you and your family. (All photos by author.) Hatching Japanese Coturnix quail can be a delightful experience.  Despite their diminutive size and tiny cheeps on hatching day, quail chicks are resilient and grow very quickly.  Incubation requirements for quail are a little different than those for […]

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 […]