This summer, the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, and there will be parades, fireworks, and bunting on every Main Street Meanwhile, the oldest American tradition on your block will be out back rather than on the parade route Backyard chicken keeping is older than the nation itself, and the good news for anyone carrying on that tradition today is that several of the very same classic American chicken breeds that helped settle the country are still scratching around farmyards right now In this guide we round up seven founding breeds and take a close look at the oldest
12 Months in a North Iowa Backyard. One Polar Vortex. Here’s How the Hoover’s Coop Held Up.
12 Months in a North Iowa Backyard One Polar Vortex Here’s How the Hoover’s Coop Held Up
On a rural property outside Mason City, Iowa, sits a 10-Bird Hoover’s Lean-To Easy Clean Coop and Run It’s been there for nearly a full year, holding a small flock of backyard chickens through some unpredictable weather conditions Now, 12 months later, the coop is holding up just as well as we expected While the inside has been cleaned on a regular schedule (the coop has been home to two Rhode Island Reds and two Light Brahmas this year), the outside underwent no
Why We Delivered Four Chicks to an Iowa Care Home
Why We Delivered Four Chicks to an Iowa Care Home
This morning, four chicks arrived at the IOOF Home and Community Therapy Center in Mason City They came with a brooder, a feeder, a waterer, a heat lamp, and a bag of feed
This isn’t a typical Hoover’s delivery We’ve been an Iowa hatchery since 1944 Most days, we ship chicks to backyards across all the country Today, four of them stayed close to home
The chicks will live at IOOF Home & Community Therapy Center for the next six to eight weeks while they grow their feathers and gain size Residents
Quail Eggs vs. Chicken Eggs: What’s the Difference?
Quail Eggs vs Chicken Eggs: Size, Taste, and Uses
If you’ve been around here long enough, you know I’m passionate about poultry and all things eggs But I’m fairly sure I’ve never talked about quail or their cute, itty-bitty eggs So today, we’re cracking into the similarities and differences between quail eggs and chicken eggs, and which one makes the most sense for everyday use
Hoover’s Hatchery Spring Coloring Page
Hoover’s Hatchery Spring Coloring Page
Baby Chick Can’t Walk? What to Do if Your Chick Has Splayed Leg
A Real Story: Bleu the Silkie
A number of years ago, I hatched a small group of Silkies in an incubator That was an experience in and of itself, so fun and honestly, a little stressful It always makes me wonder in awe how mama hens do it so naturally Chicks need just the right temperature and humidity to hatch It’s incredible
Hoover’s Easy Clean Coop: Less Maintenance, Happier Flocks After more than 80 years of raising chickens, we know exactly what was wrong with every coop on the market Since 1944, Hoover’s Hatchery has been a leader in the backyard poultry industry This multi-generational family business now offers more than 200 breeds, and millions of backyards across America receive our chicks each year We’re experts in what chicks need, and we know well the problems chicken keepers run into when trying to give their backyard poultry the best care The biggest issue? Chicken coop maintenance We felt responsible for helping If you’re wondering what it’s really like to receive baby chicks shipped through the mail, you’re not alone This is one of the most common questions new backyard chicken owners ask Growing up, I really thought chicks just came right from the farm store or farmer I had no clue they could be shipped in the mail After years of raising backyard chickens, I’ve gotten baby chicks in When it comes to eggs, not all are created equal I never fully understood just how different they could be until I started raising my own backyard flock Whether you’re making a quick weekday breakfast or baking something special, the difference between store-bought eggs and farm-fresh eggs really can show up on your plate So let’s crack open this If you have ever fallen down an internet rabbit hole searching for unique egg colors, you may have stumbled onto something that sounds made up: black duck eggs They are real, and they lead straight to one of the most striking waterfowl you can raise, the Cayuga duck Known for its shimmering dark feathers and those famous inky eggs, the Cayuga is a favorite among backyard keepers who want to add beauty and variety to their flock Whether you are homesteading in the Midwest or simply want a calm, eye-catching duck, the Cayuga deserves a serious lookWhy We Built a Better Coop
What to Expect When Getting Chicks in the Mail
Getting Baby Chicks in the Mail: What to Expect First
Store-Bought Eggs vs. Farm-Fresh Eggs. What’s the Real Difference?
All About the Cayuga Duck
