When people get into raising backyard chickens, most of them are excited to feed their flock healthy food and provide them with natural ways to combat sickness and disease. In turn, this makes the eggs we consume more nutritious as well! There are many thoughts, opinions, and good ideas on how to do this best. Take essential oils, for example. Several essential oils are beneficial for chickens' health and well-being. The same goes for apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has excellent properties for gut health and immunity. The problem arises when chicken keepers don’t research or sim ..read more

Chickens are actually very smart! The whole idea of “bird brains” doesn’t really apply to these wonderful birds. Chickens can recognize up to 150 faces, can learn their name, and have better eyesight than humans during daylight hours!   So, when it comes to knowing what they can and cannot eat, chickens are actually very smart too! Because of their incredible eyesight, chickens are drawn to bright colors. This makes fruit tantalizing for them. As you may know, there are a few foods that chickens need to stay away from. Here’s a full list of foods your chickens should avoid.   Chic ..read more

It’s springtime and that means one thing around our place….chicks! There is nothing better than bringing those cute little feather balls home and getting them all settled in their brooder. Don’t worry, if you’re like I was just starting out, you don’t even know what a brooder is! A brooder is the chicks’ first home for about the first six weeks of their life. It’s very important to get your brooder set up and ready with a reliable heat source, light, water and food before you bring your chicks home! The brooder needs to be set at 95 degrees for the first week and then you can dro ..read more

 Photo Courtesy of Hoover’s Hatchery   It’s time for another breed spotlight! I love doing these because I learn so much about the different breeds of chickens. Did you know that more than 1,600 different breeds of chickens are recognized worldwide?   I remember starting with chickens thinking there were probably just a few different varieties to choose from. I went completely basic with my chicken breeds until I got into it a little further. Now I have over 25 different breeds in my backyard!   Most recently, I got a Sapphire Gem in my newest flock of chicks, and I’m so ..read more

I put this little basket together for our granddaughter.   Happy Easter week everyone! Easter is one of my absolute favorite holidays. Being married to a pastor, Easter week is busy for us! So, I have to be on top of my “game” when it comes to Easter baskets, egg hunts and egg coloring. Growing up, my parents did a fantastic job with our baskets! They would be up early hiding our baskets, and we would have to find them. Every year they were a bit different, but exciting nonetheless. Cadbury Eggs, jelly beans, CDs, money, Whopper eggs and Peeps were usually among the colorful baskets. Whi ..read more

Today let’s talk about something less fantastic when raising backyard chickens: coccidiosis. While raising chickens has been my favorite hobby ever, there are times when it can be a bit more challenging. Multiple diseases can wreak havoc on a flock, but a little knowledge can go a long way in when it comes to coccidiosis.     What is Coccidiosis in Chickens? Coccidiosis is caused by different species of coccidia. This parasite attacks the chicken's digestive system and can spread quickly in a backyard flock. A few years back, I sat down with a poultry veterinarian and asked all ..read more

  Today, we get to talk about a fascinating topic. I get asked quite often about things chickens can and cannot eat and if there are certain foods they prefer. Their taste preferences seem to be quite different from mine! Why is that? Some people are surprised to learn that chickens have tongues. Their tongues are hard to see, but they are in there!   A chicken’s tongue is triangular and relatively small. Chickens don’t have teeth to chomp their food, and for the most part, unless you’re up close and personal, it’s hard to see that they have a tongue. The tongue helps chickens ..read more

I don’t know about you, but I am always looking for healthy, simple meals to feed my family. We have had an unseasonably warm winter this year. It’s been incredible! Our Minnesota winters don’t usually allow for grilling, but here we are making delicious meals we normally only get to enjoy in the warmer months. This has led me to make other side dishes that make us all dream of summer.  Our family has always loved a good salad. I realize this is rare, but we can all agree on a good salad. I think it’s probably from years of growing our own vegetables in the garden. We are huge fans of Ca ..read more

Chickens are some of the most fascinating birds to watch. Their beautiful plumage, quirky personalities and pecking order are intriguing. From them foraging for snacks to grooming themselves, chickens are always busy. They rest from time to time throughout the day and are great sleepers at night!   I don’t have an automatic door on our coop. I tried one once, and a couple of holdouts got locked out of the coop all night. I decided then that I prefer to “tuck them in” at night. I can do headcounts and ensure everyone safely makes it in for the evening. Have you ever noticed that chickens ..read more

Happy Valentine’s Day! I realize this is an unpopular holiday for some, but I’ve loved this holiday my whole life. I’ve always loved the idea of love I guess! But, I get it. It’s not everyone’s favorite holiday. Even if it’s a day you don't look forward to, everyone loves treats, right? I tested out a new recipe this week that won’t take you too far off track if you have goals in mind. My husband’s favorite treat is anything Reese’s. While I have no problem indulging occasionally, I thought I’d give homemade Reese’s that are a bit more healthy a shot! They are so simple and actually taste rea ..read more