by Rebecca Nickols ~ the garden-roof coop Several years ago (1980) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  published a landmark study of bird food preferences and black oil sunflower seeds were determined to be the top choice of birdseed by the greatest number of bird species. For this reason alone, I purposely plant several sunflowers […]

by Rebecca Nickols ~ the garden-roof coop This month’s Cool Coop would be a great way to repurpose the kid’s clubhouse when they’ve outgrown its use. It’s also another great example of creating an awesome coop utilizing reclaimed and found items. – Continuing reading as Steve Bates shares photos and the basic set-up of his […]

by Rebecca Nickols ~ the garden-roof coop Constructing a brooder for your first flock of chicks can be as simple as a cardboard box or plastic storage container, but you’ll soon discover that those cute fluffy chicks grow at an incredible rate! Overnight they double in size and the brooder seems to get smaller and […]

by Rebecca Nickols ~ the garden-roof coop A cottage on the beach is probably on everyone’s list of the perfect summer vacation. But –  if you can’t make it to the beach, then you might as well bring it to your backyard! This month’s Cool Coop took on a coastal style when chicken keeper, Nana Hess, […]

by Rebecca Nickols This month I’m starting a new feature at Community Chickens where you can share your creative DIY projects with other chicken enthusiasts! I know that many of our readers have constructed some pretty ingenious feeders, waterers, brooders and even chicken-related crafts. Now I’d like to share your projects with the Community! Send […]

by Rebecca Nickols ~ the garden-roof coop This month’s “Cool Coop” is an inspiration to all those folks who choose to embrace retirement and undertake the projects they had dreamed and planned for when they had the time. Michael Joyce took on his backyard chicken project and created a wonderful structure that comfortably houses a […]

by Rebecca Nickols ~ the garden-roof coop I know that many of our readers raise heritage turkeys for meat and some for egg production. I don’t raise domesticated turkeys, but I have wild turkeys that forage around my property. They’re not a common sight in my backyard, but I can hear their distinctive call frequently […]

by Rebecca Nickols ~ the garden-roof coop One of the many things I have enjoyed about writing for Community Chickens is getting to share the stories of many of our readers. Some are just undertaking a backyard flock, others are experienced farmers and a few of the Community followers are still in the dreaming and planning […]

by Rebecca Nickols ~ the garden-roof coop Changing the basic geometrical shape (from a square to a circle), took this “Cool Coop” from great to awesome! Continue reading as Julie Felton shares her journaled vision and construction of this month’s featured coop… March 21, 2012 Here’s a little model of a chicken coop I designed. […]

by Rebecca Nickols from the garden-roof coop Cats are hunters and predators by a natural instinct. It’s what cats do… If you have a problem with mice in your house or barn, then an organic rodent controlling cat is a godsend. But if you enjoy bird watching and backyard chicken raising then this friendly pet could be […]