Chickens have been domesticated for thousands of years and dozens of beautiful breeds have been developed. Some “dual-purpose” breeds like Rhode Island Reds or Barred Rocks lay a good number of eggs and also put on weight well for meat. But MOTHER’S mini-coop is designed specifically for egg production by foraging hens, so we asked […]

by Cheryl Long and Tabitha Alterman – Photographed by Barbara Bourne The conventional egg industry denies that free-range/pastured eggs are more nutritious than eggs from chickens kept in crowded, indoor conditions. The American Egg Board’s Web site states “True free-range eggs are those produced by hens raised outdoors or that have daily access to the […]

by Cheryl Long — Photographed by Jordi Sole Marimon If you have ever considered raising chickens, it’s a lot easier than it sounds. One way is to start with day-old chicks purchased from a farm store or mail-order catalog. Mail orders usually require a minimum shipment of 25 chicks, so if you just want three […]

Written and photographed by Steve Maxwell There are numerous benefits to raising poultry, and even city dwellers should consider keeping a few chickens. If the looks of the coop are a concern, a small coop with a touch of class and style is the goal of Mother Earth News’ coop design, which makes it even […]