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The journey
Know what normal looks like, notice when something is off, and know what to do next.
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Chicken lice may not be the most glamorous topic, but they’re a critical concern for chicken owners everywhere. These pesky pests are…
Edible Weeds for Chickens: Free Backyard Forage Guide Most of us can agree that a weed is any plant growing where we…
Chickens are known for their quirky eating habits and foraging for interesting snacks right in your backyard. If you’re new to raising…
Summer has officially started in the Midwest, and we are so excited! The luscious green grass, trees and landscape are especially gorgeous…
We all want to ensure our backyard flocks are as healthy as possible. Many of us get into raising chickens primarily for…
In the world of backyard chicken care, apple cider vinegar (ACV) has become the latest craze. Many owners tout its health benefits,…
Most of us feed our grown flock of birds layer pellets. Layer pellets are a great food, containing most of what an…
The pros of raising backyard chickens far outweigh the cons in my opinion! However, at some point, you’ll likely deal with an…
Ever heard of essential oils for flock health? Well, if you’re a seasoned backyard chicken owner, you probably have. It’s all the…
Most of the time, I look forward to writing these blogs because we get to talk about the wonderful ways backyard chickens…
As I weeded a patch of string beans one July morning, sadness overcame me. The plants were loaded with beans, but the…
It never ceases to amaze me how great my chickens are at digging holes! They love to scratch around, wiggle down and…
If bread is the staple of human life, calcium is its backbone. Lacking calcium, the bones of every living creature, from people…
It’s baby chick season! I can already almost hear the sweet little peeps when walking into our local farm supply store. And…
Spring is a wonderful time to add fresh freebies to your flock’s diet! Here are some flowers that are safe for your…
For many years I have used pine shavings in my brooders and coop while raising backyard chickens. There are a few different…
CHICK JOURNEY PART ONE WEEKS 0-2 With the promise of Spring, comes the exciting prospect of new chicks on the farm! I…
Manage chicken coop dust by wetting or trapping it instead of blowing or vacuuming it. Wipe surfaces with a damp sponge and…
Molting is the yearly loss and regrowth of feathers, usually in the fall. Hens look ragged, may stop laying and can seem…
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Anyone who has kept a backyard flock eventually faces a dilemma. As hens age their egg laying slows. Eventually it nearly stops.…
You walk into your backyard and it looks like your chickens went on an intense weight loss journey. Feathers are everywhere and…
It’s October! And around here, that usually means the start of cold and flu season. Most people run right for the DayQuil,…
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Common questions
Know what normal looks like, notice when something is off, and know what to do next. It is one of the eight Flock Journey journeys: a guided path with deeper articles whenever you want them.
Keepers who want to spot problems early, or who are worried about a bird right now.
Pick the article that matches what your flock needs right now. Each one stands on its own, and the rest are a click away.
No. Start anywhere. The journeys all connect, so you can move between them as your flock changes.
The next journey is Growing Your Flock. You can also see all eight journeys on the Journeys page.
Start with the article that matches the symptom, such as panting, sneezing, limping or pasty butt. If a bird is declining or symptoms persist, call a poultry-experienced veterinarian.
