Gardening & Chickens
December 28, 2020
Ever thought about raising ducks for eggs? Why raise ducks instead of—or, in addition to—chickens? Here are some important things to consider.
Ducks or Chickens?
First, if you have indeed raised chickens, you already know know how delicious eggs straight from the coop can be. Eggs laid by chickens who enjoy plenty of sunlight and exercise roaming around eating grass, weeds, and bugs are not only tastier and fresher than store bought eggs, but also contain more nutrients. All great reasons to... more
June 11, 2020
When I am asked what the most difficult aspect of raising backyard chickens is, without hesitation, I respond, “Keeping them safe from predators.” If you keep chickens long enough, eventually you’ll have a run-in with a predator. Learn more about protecting your chickens.
Unfortunately, chickens are very low on the food chain and pretty much everything wants to eat them. No matter where you live, you have to worry about predators. They exist in urban, suburban, and of course rural areas, and... more
May 20, 2020
Chickens need a safe place to spend their days. Although most predators hunt by night, there are daytime threats to a backyard flock, including dogs, foxes, hawks, and eagles. Building a chicken run is a good way to keep your chickens secure and happy.
Why Build a Chicken Run?
It isn’t difficult to build a chicken run or pen, but it is critical to not only keep your chickens safe from predators, but also to keep your lawn, garden and landscaping safe from your chickens, who take great delight... more
May 3, 2018
There is no one perfect chicken coop design for a small backyard flock, but whether you are building your own coop, repurposing a garden shed or kids’ playhouse, or shopping for a pre-made structure, there are several things to look for and take into consideration when making your choice.
First and foremost, a chicken coop needs to be functional and secure to keep your chickens healthy and safe from predators, but there are some other features that all good coops share.
SIZE
Allow for 3 to 4... more
April 12, 2018
With more than a hundred breeds of chickens to choose from, it can be challenging trying to figure out which breeds you want to raise. Here’s my advice—plus, see this page for a free beginner’s guide to gardening which includes my four-season guide to raising chickens!
If you’re raising chickens, you don’t have to choose just one breed! Fortunately, chickens of all different breeds get along just fine and your egg basket will be much more colorful if your flock is comprised of a variety of... more
Lisa Steele, a 5th generation chicken keeper and Master Gardener, and author of the popular books Fresh Eggs Daily: Raising Happy, Healthy Chickens Naturally and Gardening with Chickens lives with her husband on a small hobby farm in Maine where she raises a mixed flock of chickens and ducks, grows herbs and enjoys cooking using fresh vegetables from her garden and fresh eggs from her coop. You can learn more on her website www.fresheggsdaily.com.
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