Tips for Protecting Your Free-Range Flock

How to Protect Free-Range Chickens from Predators Safely

I remember when I first started with chickens I had four laying hens and they toodled around in the yard in our chicken tractor They were able to get bugs and greens and stay safe all at the same time! As our flock grew, I quickly realized that we needed a different setup

Posted byHoovers 1August 28, 2023July 28, 2026Posted inChicken Care, Poultry Health, Predator Protection, PredatorsTags: caring for free range chickens, daytime chicken predators, free-range chickens, free-range flock safety, hawk protection for chickens, protecting free range chickens, secure chicken run, supervised free ranging, tips for free range chickensLeave a comment on Tips for Protecting Your Free-Range Flock

Gardening in Containers

I grew up with grandparents and parents who enjoyed gardening It was a big part of our summer Well, at that point it was a big part of their summer Haha! I loved the fruits of their labor, but the weed pulling was not my favorite My husband grew up the same way, so we have enjoyed passing down this life skill to our kids

Posted byHoovers 1August 26, 2023July 28, 2026Posted inGardening, Lifestyle, Urban LifestyleTags: balcony gardening, choosing garden containers, container garden soil, container vegetable garden, gardening in containers, gardening tips, small-space gardening, what containers to garden inLeave a comment on Gardening in Containers

Black Jersey Giants: The Gentle Giant of the Backyard Flock

If you have ever wanted a chicken that is big, beautiful, and surprisingly sweet, Black Jersey Giants deserve a spot at the top of your list These birds are the largest purebred chicken in the United States, yet their size is matched only by their calm, friendly nature I have raised plenty of breeds over the years, and the Black Jersey Giants remain one of my all-time favorites They are majestic to look at, gentle to handle, and they lay some seriously impressive eggs If I had to rename them, I would call them the Gentle Black Jersey Giants,

How Do I Know if My Chickens Have Worms?

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again Not all parts of raising backyard chickens is glamorous Haha! For real though, today we’re going to talk about something that I really have no experience with, but I’ve done some research for you! We’re going to talk about worms We will go over the signs of worms, how to prevent them and how to treat worms if they should show up in your flock

How to Raise Baby Ducks: A Beginner’s Care Guide

If you have ever watched a fuzzy duckling waddle across the yard, you already understand why so many backyard families fall for them Learning how to raise baby ducks is easier than most beginners expect, and the good news is that ducklings need many of the same things baby chicks do That means if you have raised chicks before, you may already have most of the gear sitting in your garage Ducklings are also a little hardier than chicks, which makes them a forgiving first project for new poultry keepers

Before you bring any feathered friends home, take time to

How to Make Homemade Jam

How to Make Homemade Jam with Fresh Fruit and Simple Steps

One of my favorite memories from my childhood was coming home to the house smelling like fresh baked bread, homemade jam, and tomato sauce from the garden slowly simmering on the stove My mom is the best homemaker I know Our home was always tidy and clean and smelled amazing She poured her heart and soul into our family and some of those traits have been passed along to me

Hoovers 1July 21, 2023July 28, 2026Homesteading, Recipes, Seasonal Planningbeginner jam making, easy jam recipe, easy recipe, fruit preserves, homemade fruit spread, homemade jam recipe, jam recipe, seasonal fruit recipe, water bath canningLeave a comment

Sugar Scrub Recipes Using Essential Oils

DIY Sugar Scrubs with Essential Oils for Natural Gifts

Sugar scrubs are excellent for our skin Most of us only think of exfoliating our faces if we’re on a skincare regimen but you can also exfoliate the rest of your skin Sugar scrubs use little crystals to sluff off old skin cells, clean our

How to Smoke Eggs for a BBQ

Easy Smoked Egg Recipe for Summer Cookouts and Salads

Summer is in full swing! I’m not known for my meat/food smoking abilities but thank goodness I have friends that are! Whew! So, today I’ll share a recipe from my friend, Samantha She agreed to help me with this so I can pass along this recipe to you! Thanks Sam!!

Treating Pasty Butt

It’s baby chick season! I can already almost hear the sweet little peeps when walking into our local farm supply store And honestly? Is there anything cuter than a little chick’s poofy bottom? There is almost nothing better for me

Baby chicks are so fluffy, cute, and did I mention adorable? Better

How Strong is an Eggshell?

How Strong Are Eggshells? A Simple Science Experiment

This week we’re going to have a little fun! Growing up, I loved science fair projects They were an awesome time to learn something new, be creative, and have fun This week, we’re going to talk about how strong eggshells are

I know what you’re thinking “Annie, I barely tap my eggshells and they crack!” While eggshells are fairly brittle and seem to crack easily, they are