Chickens receive the protein that they need from commercial layer feeds, and it’s supplemented with bugs, worms, snakes, lizards, and any other goodies they find throughout the day. Sometimes, you need to give your flock other protein sources for chickens. Your flock’s needs will change throughout the year. Protein is a necessary nutrient needed for…
Hens need plenty of calcium to lay hard-shelled eggs, and if your hen has a calcium deficiency, giving her oyster shells is an easy way to boost her calcium levels. A trip to the feed store results in you staring at all of the shelves, wondering if your chickens need any of these things. I…
Did you know that summer is harder for chickens than winter? That’s why you need heat hardy chickens if you live in hot climates. Everyone stresses about the winter, but chickens struggle more in the summer than the winter. Selecting some of the best chicken breeds for hot weather reduces the discomfort your flock feels….
If you live in a cold region, you need one of the best cold hardy chicken breeds. Winters are brutal in many areas, and depending on where you live, some chicken breeds struggle with the low temperatures. Picking the best cold weather chicken breeds ensures your flock stays healthy and happy throughout the winter months….
Keeping chickens in the winter doesn’t have to be scary or intimidating. When our first winter arrived with chickens, I had no idea anything about keeping chickens in the winter, and I stressed out. What if my chickens froze to death? Can chickens be outside in freezing temperatures? What do I do if my chicken…
It’s hard to figure out what are the best egg-laying chicken breeds, so look at what real homesteaders have to say! The main reason most people raise backyard chickens is because they want a fresh supply of eggs. Nothing compares to gathering warm, fresh eggs each morning and turning them into delicious meals for your…
I wanted ducks for a long time, but I had no idea if I could raise chickens and ducks together. So, I delayed buying ducks for the longest time. I looked at all of the breeds online and stopped to look at the ducks at our local farm & fleet store, but I never pulled…
Keeping your chickens cool in the summer is more important than winter care. Everyone is always so worried about their chickens handling the cold temperatures of winter, but the real concern is keeping chickens cool in the summer. Even though they’re farm animals, chickens are still vulnerable to heat stroke and other problems brought on…
Are you wondering if there are other things that you can feed your chickens? Perhaps you want to decrease your feed bill, which can be high depending on how many chickens you have. You might want to free range but are unable, so you want to give your chickens a diverse diet. I fit into…
Do you want chicks but need to know the supplies required for raising baby chicks? Raising baby chicks might be one of my favorite parts of spring homesteading. Each spring, we get more chicks, and I love to see my children fascinated with them. Last year was the first year that my daughter, Jolene, got…
