Raising Animals

Getting a clutch of chicks is always fun. I don’t care how old you are; those sweet little peeping balls of fuzz melt even the hardest of hearts. But most …

When the mercury climbs, your chickens have to endure the heat, too. And extreme temperatures can lead to a host of health issues. But you can take some easy steps …

Self-reliance is a very beautiful and practical way of living to strive for, which offers many rewards, mostly beyond the monetary realm. Yet, there are a few intrepid homesteaders out …

If you’ve got chickens, you already know they’re curious little buggers. You’ll often find them where you don’t want them, like in your flower bed or under the neighbor’s bird …

We’ve talked a lot about the deep litter method with fellow backyard flock owners, but so many are confused about the process and concerned about the well-being of their flock.  …

Getting baby chicks is so much fun. Those fuzzy balls of fluff have a way of melting even the chilliest of hearts, and before you know it, you’re completely attached …

If you have a backyard flock, two words can make your heart skip a beat – avian influenza. HPAI has been splashed all over the news for quite some time, …

As a new poultry owner, there’s nothing quite as exciting as looking into the nest box and seeing your first egg. Here we go, the reason we decided to get …

Because chickens have a narrow intestinal tract, they like to eat often but in small portions. This means that chickens are almost always hungry and food obsessed. Keep them well-fed …

When you join the backyard chicken movement, you find yourself doing things you never thought you would be doing. Things like massaging a hen’s breast that has an impacted crop, …

Raising chicks is exciting. There’s nothing quite like bringing home tiny, peeping balls of fuzz and watching them grow. But the brooder has been packed away for months now. And …

Raising chickens is fun, easy, and a great way to get fresh organic eggs right from your backyard. It doesn’t come without some challenges though, and one of the biggest …

If you’re into homesteading and hobby farming, you’ve no doubt seen gorgeous photos of egg baskets overflowing with multicolored eggs. These enviable egg baskets are enough to get anyone interested …

When we first delved into the world of chicken keeping, we read every book we could get our hands on to prepare. Our biggest concern was the chicken coop, and …

No matter where you are on your path to self-sufficiency, there are plenty of reasons to want to keep animals. Deciding what animal to raise is another matter. For many …

To anyone who has ever gone down the rabbit hole of chickens vs. ducks, I applaud you for even questioning which is better. (Sorry, chicken-enthusiasts. Ducks rule.) Naturally, what’s best …

Angora rabbits are adorable, fluffy, and a useful addition to the homestead. Before you go out and buy one, there are some things you need to know. This homestead critter …

Most chicken keepers have a lurking fear of something going wrong with their flock. There are so many health issues that chickens can encounter, there’s no wonder we worry! The …

Did you know that very few ducks actually “quack”? It’s true, they don’t. Are you aware that male ducks are called drakes? That females are called hens or ducks? And …

I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Ducks are better than chickens. I know; it hurt me a little to say it too. But it’s true. It’s …

If you’re considering jumping into the world of backyard livestock, knowing which species to commit to can be a challenge. Goats have no equal when it comes to escaping fencing, …

The roost is a necessity for the chicken run and coop, but it doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg. You can make a chicken roost completely free …

Bringing home a batch of new baby chicks can be stressful, especially if you’ve never raised chickens before. There’s a lot to learn before you start raising chicks, and the …

Keeping chickens on your homestead gives you far more than just eggs (and potentially meat). Chickens also help to incorporate organic matter by scratching, they eat pests that would otherwise plague …