Raising fluffy baby chicks is fun, until they suddenly have outgrown their first home! Here are the three types of homes your chicks will need as they grow
Brooder Box
Babies (Day 1- ~7 Weeks)
When you bring home your baby chicks, the first thing you will need is a brooder box It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does need to be functional One of the most dangerous parts of the brooder setup is the heat source Whether heat lamp (buy the red bulb), or heat hover plate, always double check for
If you have recently visited your local feed store and seen baby chicks and baby ducklings available, the impulse to get a few of these and a few of those is irresistible!
Before you bring home your fluffy babies, here are some important differences to know about raising ducklings vs raising chicks!
Ducklings and chicks need separate space
Generally, ducklings and chicks will need a separate brooder Sometimes, they can all get along, but sometimes unfortunately they can fight Ducklings grow much faster than chicks, and have been known to pick on baby chicks Even if they do get along as babies,
With Spring now sprung, my guess is that you are getting lots of fresh eggs!
The longer daylight hours and new crop of spring greens to eat, boost a hen’s egg production Chances are, you have been enjoying fresh eggs on the menu, but still have lots of extras
Sharing your bounty of eggs is a wonderful way to make someone’s day!
Eggs are freshest when UNWASHED
If you look at an eggshell up close, you will see hundreds of tiny holes These are called pores Pores on the eggshell actually allow tiny bits of oxygen inside the egg, therefore keeping the chick
Yes, you heard that right! Plant a garden FOR your chickens!
Myself and many others have fought the good fight to keep chickens OUT of our summer gardens since the beginning of time Crafty and able to squeeze through most affordable types of livestock fencing, chickens can destroy a garden It’s not their fault, they are opportunistic free rangers, eating whatever they can find
Here are a few tips to distract your flock this year, saving your garden!
Plan for Extras in Your Garden
As the old saying goes, “Sow four beans as you
The term “chicken tractor” is commonly used in today’s circle of chicken collectors No, we are not referring to the big green thing with a deer on it We are referring to simply a movable chicken shelter without a bottom
Uses and Benefits
A chicken tractor is most commonly used for those wanting to raise their own meat birds However, I have also found they come in handy if you ever plan on adding baby chicks to your existing flock I have used our chicken tractor over 6 times as a “grow-out pen,”
Preparing for Baby Chicks
Spring is almost here!
If you’re like me, you’re excited to add some chicks to your flock! (Personally, I am hoping to add some Welsummers and Cochins!) Whether adding new breeds, or re-stocking on your old favorites, preparation is key!
Go ahead and have all your set-up complete and ready before your chicks arrive That way, you won’t be scrambling last minute to go buy something they need Instead, you’ll have everything in order and you can just enjoy spending time with your new babies
1 Brooder
Whether an old stock
Spring will be here soon! It will be the perfect time to add some cute, fluffy ducklings or goslings to your collection of farm animals! Before you start, there are several big differences in adding waterfowl vs adding chickens to your flock
Separate Housing
As adults, chickens and ducks, or geese, can coexist happily in the same yard With enough space, all birds can get out of each others’ ways while still having a peaceful existence
This being said, all birds have a pecking order Sometimes, as much as we would hope for everyone to get along, they just do not
Chickens (especially
One of the most common questions a new chicken owner asks is: What are some good chicken breeds to raise around children?
You want your children have a positive experience with chickens You want chickens that are more prone to being calm, gentle, and patient The honest answer is, any chicken breed can be gentle and people oriented! The experience goes both ways If the chicks are raised by gentle, patient children, they will most likely grow up to be friendly, calm birds
Even though this may be the case, some breeds have consistently made the list of gentle chickens!
Winter can be a slow time for chickens Some hens will take a permanent break from laying eggs, while a select few lay once or twice a week
It can be disappointing to have chickens at home, but still have to buy store-bought eggs in the winter I certainly know the shame of buying eggs at the grocery store, when I have over 25 hens at home! Please know, this is cyclical and all part of mother nature Our chickens have to maintain their body conditions in the cold, and contend with less sunlight Their energy goes into surviving, and
With turkey shortages on the rise this year, why not try a recipe with chicken instead?
Northerners make stuffing, Southerners make dressing
Although both are delicious, I may be a little biased towards the Southern classic Chicken dressing is actually a very popular Southern dish and is served all times of the year That being said, it is absolutely a Southern Thanksgiving staple! I hope y’all can give it a try this year!
Chickens specifically bred for meat production, such as Cornish Cross or Rudd Rangers work great for this recipe However, you don’t have to have a special breed At my