by Rebecca Nickols Photos by author Q: How long are eggs good if you find them in a hidden spot outside of your coop? Our days have not been above 45 degrees for a month and we believe that these eggs are up to three weeks old. – Stan A: Stan, I’ve always thought that […]

by Rebecca Nickols Photos by author. When I started my chicken-farming experience (or should I say experiment) last summer, I thought that four chickens was a good number to begin with. Not too many, but enough for my family of four. After I realized that chickens weren’t much harder to take care of than my […]

by Rebecca Nickols Q: A friend told me that chicken droppings can transfer harmful bacteria. He said not to use it for fertilizer. Is he right? – Chris   A: Great question, Chris! All animal manures have the potential risk of containing bacteria, but the key to using it as a fertilizer is knowing how […]

by Rebecca Nickols Q: I am considering getting some chickens for our farm, but am wondering if you can go away for a few days when you have chickens? Also, does anyone out there have dogs, and how do they get along with chickens? — Sheryll Brimley A: Sheryll, I pondered these same questions when […]

by Rebecca Nickols Q: What is the nutritional value of free-range eggs versus eggs laid by hens in a pen? – Curt Stowell A: If you’re referring to commercial eggs, controversy surrounds the debate. Just looking at the egg cartons can cause confusion: cage-free, free range, grass-fed, organic, brown, white … The labels are often […]

by Rebecca Nickols On a very cold morning about a month ago, I went out to see how the chickens fared in their unheated coop. It was the coldest night yet this winter and it was still 4 degrees when I bundled up and reluctantly went out into the winter wind … I opened the […]

by Rebecca Nickols Q: I found one of my eggs this morning with some blood on it. I was wondering if the chicken who laid it might have some sort of disease or sickness? Could you give me some advice? — Insook Cheon, Gardiner, N.Y. A: Great question, Insook. Blood on an eggshell is usually […]

by Rebecca Nickols I have two awesome teenage daughters, Lydia and Grace, and I now have 4 pullets—or teenage hens. The similarities between chicks and girls are more prevalent than you might expect. At least some of the quotes and phrases related to chickens that I’ve heard for years, now I can actually understand. I […]

by Rebecca Nickols My pullets’ combs are coming in rapidly now and it completely changes the appearance of my not-so-little birds. It’s amazing how only a few months ago they were tiny yellow chicks and now they actually look like chickens! You can’t help but notice the variance in size, shape and color of combs […]

After the chicks had moved outside into their coop/run, I realized that it was time to purchase a larger feeder and waterer. We looked at automatic or treadle feeders online and came up with this option. It’s rain and rodent proof, holds about 6 pounds of feed and it’s basically an awesome contraption.