Last week I had my first close-encounter with a predator…  Even though I allow my flock to free range during the day and I live among a slew of predators (fox, raccoon, hawk, etc..), I’ve not had to deal with an actual predator attack until now. I do realize that by allowing the hens full […]

Raising chickens is a valuable practice for any homesteader, but protecting chickens from predators can be a tough job. In this video, I provide some tips for keeping your flock safe and happy. Your backyard chickens depend on you for health, housing and safety. In return, they will supply you with eggs, entertainment, pest control, […]

Guest post by Marion C. of Victor Pest As many chicken keepers are well aware, dangers to poultry are not just limited to disease and the occasional fox. Pests and predators can wreak havoc to your hen house, causing damage to your valuable hens as well as to the house itself. Fortunately, these risks are […]

 by Shannon Cole of Country Girl In The Village In my urban chicken keeping experience, the topic of predators seems to vary from that of my rural counterparts. While Hawks and Eagles are not unheard of, sighting them in my area is really rare. Raccoons are ever present and coops and runs need to be […]

by Rebecca Nickols What a wonderful surprise I’ve discovered! Less than a mile from my property are several bald eagles overwintering. I can’t imagine that this is their first winter here, but then again I don’t know how I’ve missed them for the past ten years… With the trees now bear of leaves, their large […]

by Rebecca Nickols Snakes and Chickens – probably not a good combination…  However, not every snake is venomous and most snakes are not even considered a threat to you or your flock. In my state (Missouri) there are 47 different species of snakes; only five of which are venomous: the copperhead, cottonmouth and 3 different species […]

by Rebecca Nickols Photos by author A few common concerns of first time chicken owners (who have a dog as a pet) are: “How will the dog react to the chickens?” “Should I keep the chickens and dog(s) separated?” “What breed of dogs is best to keep around chickens?” I had the same questions with my […]