Crows & Clucks: Should You Let the Backyard Goths Hang Out With Your Chickens?

So you’ve got chickens They’re fluffy, they’re fabulous, and they lay breakfast But now you’ve noticed a few mysterious, dark-feathered figures lurking nearby—crows Are they friends? Foes? Freeloaders? Before you start handing out tiny trench coats and naming them Edgar, let’s break down the pros and cons of letting crows hang around your backyard flock

Pros: The Crow Side of Things

🧠 Smart Security Guards

Crows are basically the neighborhood watch with wings They’re incredibly intelligent and will sound the alarm if predators are nearby Hawks, raccoons, or that one cat with a suspicious glint

Outfoxing the Fox

The fox, the mortal enemy of the chicken For as long as people have kept chickens, a battle has ensued between the chicken and the fox The fox, a cunning and intelligent hunter, has long found ways to infiltrate our defenses, thus claiming his prize and leaving us chicken owners feeling devastated

The red fox (vulpes vulpes), can be found all across the United States Measuring about 3 feet long, and 2 feet tall, the red fox is both as cunning as it is beautiful It’s cousin, the grey fox, can still

Treating Wounds

Wounds are just an unfortunate, yet inevitable occurrence if you have animals The best approach is being prepared Chances are, you may be able to doctor up your chicken at home, without having to see a veterinarian or put the chicken down Chickens can find some fun ways to hurt themselves, not to mention they are on the menu for pretty much every type of predator out there You’ll likely come across a medical situation or two Here is what to do if your chicken gets an injury, most specifically a flesh wound

 

To make the process easier, it helps

Keeping Your Flock Cool

Hot Chicks: How to Keep Your Backyard Flock Cool When the Sun’s on Full Blast

Summer: the season of sun, sweat, and suspiciously judgmental stares from your chickens as they roast like feathery marshmallows in the backyard While you’re sipping iced tea in the shade, your flock is out there wondering if this is how rotisserie begins Fear not, fellow chicken tender (pun absolutely intended)—here’s your guide to keeping your birds cool, comfortable, and cluckin’ through the heatwave

  1. Shade: Because Chickens Don’t Do Sunglasses

First things first—give your chickens some shady real

Role of the Rooster

Besides the obvious need for procreation, many people ask me what the reason for having a rooster is If you don’t need a rooster for the hens to lay eggs, then why keep one? A rooster provides protection and stability to his flock Ever vigilant, he keeps his hens close and always is looking and listening out for danger Keeping a rooster is more of a personal preference, but there are sure advantages to adding one to your flock

Cockerels vs Pullets

A cockerel is a young male rooster, while a pullet is

Uses for Duck Eggs

If you’ve ever been curious about trying duck eggs, then this article is for you!

Side by side, the duck egg is about 30 % larger than a large chicken egg Although larger, the general protein and fat in each is about the same relative to size Long prized by chefs, duck eggs boast a richer, fattier flavor than chicken eggs It is this rich fat that encourages more rising in baked goods, resulting in fluffy, rich convections!

With the popularity of homesteading and keeping livestock back on the rise, duck eggs are making a comeback to family tables Duck eggs

Gifts for Homesteaders

Shopping for friends who homestead is actually quite fun and easy!

Whether you know someone with 3 backyard hens in a subdivision, or have a friend with more chickens than they can count, these Christmas gift ideas are sure to please!

 

  1. Local Gift Basket

Shop local and fill up a basket with goodies from artisans in your community! Chances are there is a winery, some local farms selling homemade breads, jellies or jam Local honey is always a hit! Handmade soaps are popular, as well as heirloom seeds for next year’s garden Add a bright book for them to read this

Keeping Your Coop Warm During Winter

Chickens have been doing just fine surviving winters with humans for many hundreds of years Long before the invention of electricity, chickens have lived alongside people in the farmyards We all love our chickens and want to give them the best care, especially during those bitter, cold winter months

Here are a few ways to prepare your coop for winter Whether you just want to make a few improvements to an existing coop, or might be planning a new one, these will definitely help keep your flock warm this winter

  1. Insulate

Leaves as Bedding

If you are looking for a FREE way to keep your coop tidy this winter, try using leaves!

Any leaves raked from the yard will do, the only prerequisite is that the leaves be DRY Rake up your leaves into a pile and let them dry for a few days After drying, move the leaves into the coop, making the bedding thickness at least about 8” deep You can use leaves for the deep litter method, or change them out as you clean the coop, either will work with leaves! If you don’t have access to enough leaves,  find some

All About Wyandottes

One of the earliest chicken breeds created in United States, the Wyandotte has been around for well over 100 years Early colonists were looking for a dual purpose bird that could manage the harsh winters of New York By mixing breeds such as the Brahma, Silver Seabright, and Cochins, the early Wyandotte was created The name origin is much debated, but many suspect they were named after the nearby Wendat Native American tribe

The very first Wyandotte chickens were silver laced, and were first recorded in colonial 1870’s New York Colonists wanted to create a dual purpose bird that