When to Switch Chicken Feed: A Complete Guide for a Healthy Flock

When to switch chicken feed is a common question for new backyard chicken keepers I get it! I had a lot of the same questions when I started out

Knowing when to switch chicken feed is essential to ensure your flock remains healthy and productive throughout their life stages But, before we dive into the timing of switching feeds, it’s important to understand the various types of feed available for each stage of life

Rare Chicken Breeds to Add to Your Flock

It’s chick season! Whether you’re adding to your flock or just dreaming about new feathered friends, now is the perfect time to explore rare chicken breeds! My go-to hatchery is Hoover’s Hatchery in Iowa They consistently provide high-quality chicks, and some of my all-time favorite birds have come from their selection

Did you know that Hoover’s Hatchery offers 44 rare breeds? If you’re looking to add unique and colorful birds to

Are Chickens Omnivores?

Believe it or not, chickens are one of the most common domesticated animals in the world, providing us with eggs, meat, and incredible pets People all over the world keep chickens and a question that often arises is whether chickens are omnivores What are they actually eating when they’re out and about patrolling your backyard?

Are Chickens Omnivores?

First, we need to answer what an omnivore is! Omnivore is a fancy word for an

Chicken Lice 101: What You Need to Know

Chicken lice may not be the most glamorous topic, but they’re a critical concern for chicken owners everywhere These pesky pests are becoming more prevalent, especially among free-range flocks and backyard flocks

Let’s take a closer look at chicken lice, understand why they’re becoming more problematic and uncover effective treatment and prevention strategies, including the role of diatomaceous earth

Why Are Chicken Lice Becoming

Can Chickens Eat Eggshells

Chickens are known for their quirky eating habits and foraging for interesting snacks right in your backyard If you’re new to raising backyard chickens you might be wondering what’s safe for our feathered friends and what things might be harmful to them I remember starting out thinking that the sharp eggshells would slice their throats or something I was wrong!

Can Chickens Eat Eggshells?

Yes! Chickens actually enjoy eating eggshells

What Vegetables Can Chickens Eat?

My chickens absolutely love our garden! Our chicken run and garden are separated by a tall fence and the chickens stand at the fence and beg me for their favorite vegetables It’s hilarious! I’ll toss over some cucumbers, zucchini, a few tomatoes or other rainbow-colored snacks They go wild and it’s fun knowing they love these treats so much all while being good for them

Can Chickens Get Fleas?

Summer has officially started in the Midwest, and we are so excited! The luscious green grass, trees and landscape are especially gorgeous in Minnesota at this time of year However, along with summer’s beautiful landscapes, it also brings some gross pests for your flock

Don’t get me wrong, these pests are not limited to summer, but where we live, nothing wants to survive in the winter! Haha! However, it is still possible, so it’s good to know how to prevent

Can I Have Chickens Where I Live? And How to Find Out

Keeping chickens as backyard pets and for egg production has become very popular among homeowners! I feel like since covid hit, backyard chickens and gardening blew up because people were home and had time to care for their flocks and gardens Since then, thanks to Pinterest and responsible chicken keepers, the industry continues to grow!

However, before diving into the world of backyard chickens, it’s important to determine if you can legally have chickens in your residential area Obviously, if you live on an acreage that you own like we

Which Chickens Lay Green Eggs?

When I first started raising backyard chickens, I didn’t even consider egg color I was more concerned about healthy, fresh eggs for my family and docile chickens who were fun to be around

It wasn’t too long into this adventure, though, that I dreamed of a colorful egg basket! I really had no idea all the different

How to Sex a Baby Chick

Let me kick off this blog with a quick disclaimer: I’m no pro at determining whether your cute little chick is a he or she, but let’s dive into how the experts do it! If you’re part of any backyard chicken group on Facebook, you’ve probably seen folks asking weekly about their chicks’ gender Trust me, I get the curiosity! I’ve ended up with a couple of surprise roosters myself from “straight run” breeds, which means they haven’t been sexed yet

Navigating the