All About the Dominique Breed: America’s Oldest Chicken

At first glance, you might mistake a Dominique for a Barred Rock The two breeds share the same handsome black and white barred feathers, and telling them apart takes a close look The secret is in the comb The Dominique chicken is one of America’s most historic breeds, a calm, hardy heritage bird that has been part of American farms since colonial days Beautiful, friendly, and dependable in the nest box, the Dominique earns its place in any backyard flock Whether you are drawn to its rich history, its gentle nature, or its steady supply of brown eggs, this

All About Chicken Feed: How Much, What to Avoid & Best Practices

This week, we’re talking all about chicken feed This is a common question for new backyard chicken owners There are so many options to choose from, so I will share what I use as well as how often I use it Let’s start there

 

Chicken Coop Lighting in the Winter

I don’t know about you, but me and the girls are feeling this long winter month! While it’s been absolutely gorgeous with multiple days of rime ice, January feels like it may never end Rime ice is when super cooled water liquid droplets freeze onto the trees It’s stunning and makes us feel like we’re in a snow globe

What is the Bloom on an Egg?

Chickens are absolutely incredible, and their ability to create and lay eggs is almost mind-blowing Seriously, until we started raising backyard chickens, I didn’t put much thought into where our eggs came from I would simply grab a couple dozen at the store and that was that

My egg rainbow didn’t extend outside of the classic white and brown egg until I

How Cold Can Chickens Tolerate?

How to Keep Chickens Warm and Healthy Through Winter

One of the most commonly asked questions I get while raising backyard chickens is how I keep my chickens warm in the winter I live in Minnesota after all so it’s a valid question!

When I first started, I was actually pretty concerned about this, too Our winters can get really cold and harsh My coop wasn’t insulated, and I’d heard that running a heat lamp all the time wasn’t safe I would lay in bed wondering if my chickens would

Understanding the Pecking Order in Chickens

Shortly after I got my recent flock of chickens, I quickly decided to add more chicks to my flock It was quite the process of integrating the two flocks! After I got them all to be “one happy family”, I felt more comfortable If you’ve integrated flocks, you know exactly what I’m talking about!

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Annie’s Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipe

Annie’s Favorite No-Bake Christmas Cookies Recipe

It’s the week of Christmas and if you’re like me, there’s a present to be wrapped, a gift to be bought or a cookie to be made! I’m feeling the Christmas squeeze this week, with a predicted winter storm on top of it So, I whipped up some of our family’s favorite cookies today!
 

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All About the Rhode Island Red Chicken: Eggs, Traits, and Care

Most of us grew up with the story of the Little Red Hen and her lesson that hard work pays off It is a fitting introduction to the Rhode Island Red chicken, one of the most hardworking and recognizable breeds in America Energetic, friendly, and famously productive, the Rhode Island Red has earned its place as a backyard favorite and a true icon of American poultry If you have ever seen a chicken pictured on a feed sack or a farm sign, there is a good chance it was a Rhode Island Red Whether you want a reliable layer,

Easy Sausage and Veggie Frittata Recipe

Easy Sausage and Spinach Frittata Recipe for Any Meal

I used to be the girl who’d see a word like “frittata” and just keep moving right along I have shared so many times that I am not a gourmet chef I don’t necessarily even love to cook However, when I find an easy recipe or find myself throwing things together in the kitchen that actually work out, it’s worth documenting! Haha!

Can You Have Chickens in City Limits? 4 Things to Know First

The short answer is yes, you can often keep chickens in city limits, but it depends entirely on where you live More and more people are trading a corner of their backyard for a small flock of hens, drawn by fresh eggs, natural pest control, and the simple joy of keeping these friendly birds Before you bring home a box of chicks, though, there are four things worth sorting out first: your local laws, your available space, your relationship with the neighbors, and your budget Get these right, and raising chickens in the city can be one of the