Marissa Buchanan writes about the importance of genetic diversity for worldwide food security and how she practices breed conservation with her own flocks. Conservation and Genetic Diversity “Conservation” and “poultry” are two words that aren’t always put together by backyard poultry owners. More often, we use words like “rare” or “heritage” to describe breeds that […]

While most backyard chickens exist for the production of eggs and meat, compost is an equally valuable resource the chicken run can provide. Even better, the bulk of the labor is free, and copious amounts of compost pays in dividends. The birds are happier and healthier because there’s no better place to find insects and […]

By Lori Leigh Story and photos After a winter break, the chickens are well rested and ready to earn their keep again. 😉  There are many ways you can put your chickens to work this Spring, and they are happy to do so… Egg Production With longer days and warmer weather upon us, the ladies […]

Just a few days ago, I wrote about our little Silver Sebright, Isabelle, and how she was dying. Isabelle had developed a solid growth on one eye (it looked like a large wart/tumor that was completely shutting her eye.) She went around for a while with the use of one eye and then her other […]

by Wendy EN Thomas of Lessons Learned from the Flock For some people, chickens are just chickens, a way to get food (both eggs and meat.) For others though, chickens have made a very important connection between what we eat and how it is made. When you realize, (and I mean finally understand) that it […]

by Shannon Cole of Country Girl In The Village The season is definitely changing here in Michigan. The temps have cooled, leaves are changing and most mornings around my little town are filled with fog as the air has cooled more than the lakes, streams and swamps. It is a magical time of year in my opinion. My […]

by Wendy EN Thomas of Lessons Learned from the Flock I’ve heard more than one person tell me that as a chicken owner, I shouldn’t have wild bird feeders in my yard. But I never really thought that there was much of a problem there, I mean birds are birds right? Recently, however, I finally […]

I may not make a lot of friends with this post, but hear me out.  I’m not sure that all of these “crazy” and “artsy” coop tours popping up all over the place are such a good idea. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I sing the praises of backyard chicken ownership all the time, but […]

by Wendy EN Thomas of Lessons Learned from the Flock Now that the spring chicks have hatched and are well on their way to the hen houses, some people are starting to realize that while they may have hatched some great chicks, they may also very likely run into some trouble down the road when […]