Urban homesteading on a regular lot in the suburbs of Atlanta. Six years of backyard chickens — started with seventeen, down to three, and there’s a story behind every one. A garden I’m trying to get better at, cheese made with the wrong acid, and more sourdough starters killed than I can count. The canner is still in the box. It’s never too late to learn. Not a tutorial, and not a farm.
Chickens are omnivores, which means they’ll eat just about anything you give them. That said, some foods are healthier for them than others. Chickens love to eat their favorite things like seeds, bugs, and worms, but they also enjoy eating…
If you are new to raising chickens you may not even know what a bantam chicken is, let alone how to know what type of chicken to pick for your flock. I have raised both, and it really depends on…
All gardeners make a choice about growing from vegetable garden seeds or purchasing plants for their garden. There are advantages to both and more some plants I would recommend buying the plant over starting from seed. Not everyone has the…
Does your garden produce too many Brussels sprouts for your family to eat? If so, you can feed them to your backyard chickens! Chickens love to eat sprouts, and you probably have other fruits or vegetables that they will enjoy…
A comb certainly gives a chicken a lot of character! Chicken combs are very useful to pay attention to if you are the flock’s caretaker. A backyard chicken’s health can often be determined by looking at its comb. Changes in…
Keeping backyard chickens as part of a homestead has increased in popularity over recent years. There are many factors to consider when keeping chickens, from what they eat to where they sleep. An important aspect is chicken roosts, but what…
About 41.3% of American households grew food at home in 2021, according to the National Gardening Association, and a significant portion start those plants from seed indoors. While comprehensive data specifically on seedling starting practices remains limited, growing plants from…
Many people are shocked when they find out chickens have ears, and even more so when they discover chickens have earlobes too! As a backyard chicken keeper, understanding what their earlobes can indicate is useful. Here is everything you need…
Quick answer: you keep chickens warm in winter by keeping them dry and out of the wind, not by heating the coop. Give them a draft-free coop with vents up high, deep dry litter, wide flat roosts, unfrozen water and…
Do chicken feet get cold during the winter? This is a question I have often asked myself when temperatures plunge and water begins to freeze outside. I don’t like the thought of my flock feeling discomfort because of the cold…
