Raising Animals

If you’re new to raising chickens or are in the preliminary research stage of adding a few chickens to your backyard, you’ll be interested to learn that all chicken breeds …

As fall moves into winter, chicken keepers face a seasonal shift — their hens are molting, and egg production slows or stops. Our chickens are molting so hard it looks …

Raising little critters on your homestead can take a lot out of you. Not only does it take money from your pockets to feed them, but you worry about their …

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, …