Whether you buy fresh turnip greens from the store or are trying to make the most from your harvest, I explain how easy it is to prepare turnip greens. They are edible but bitter and peppery when fresh so most people cook them instead of eating them raw. Cooking or sautéing them with herbs and spices helps minimize the sharp taste. Turnip leaves, turnip tops and turnip greens are all the same thing. The green … Read more
Whether you want to make au gratin potatoes or have lots of potatoes and want to make something with them, this recipe is the answer. It uses ingredients you may already have. You can improvise as well because it’s a forgiving recipe. Pull out your oven-safe dish, and use enough potatoes so it fills the dish. You can make these potatoes in an 8×8, 9×9, 8×10, or 9×12 casserole dish. I make as many potatoes … Read more
This roasted turnips recipe is easy to make and tasty. Whether you grow turnips in your home garden or buy them at the grocery store or farmers market, roasting turnips is simple. Here, I focus on preparing and roasting turnips. In a separate recipe, I’ll explain how easy it is to sauté turnip greens. You can prepare them separately, and mix them together if you choose. I prefer to serve them separately. Whether you have … Read more
This is a quick leg of lamb with rosemary recipe with just 6 ingredients. I make it in my Dutch oven. I season it with rosemary, garlic, onions, olive oil, and Dijon mustard. It’s always savory and juicy. I wanted to share this easy leg of lamb recipe because it is delicious and easy to make. Lamb is expensive. The last thing you want is for it to be dry or overcooked. While the fat … Read more
The California Tan chicken is very closely associated with the California White chicken. In fact, it’s not uncommon for novice farmers to confuse the two. However, they are not the same breed of chicken. The California Tan chicken is technically not a breed of chicken but a hybrid. It crosses two other breeds—a Production Red (similar to Rhode Island Reds) and a White Leghorn. One of the main reasons breeders worldwide endeavor to come up … Read more
How long do roosters live? What factors affect a rooster’s lifespan, and does breed have anything to do with a rooster’s longevity? What is a rooster’s lifespan in captivity vs in the wild? These are all questions that any budding chicken owner would have-rightly so. Chicken keepers and chicken enthusiasts alike know that when left to their own devices, chickens can live for 5 to 10 years. However, due to one thing or another, this … Read more
Olive Egger chickens are a cross between a brown egg layer and a blue egg layer. They are hybrids that mix Legbars, Ameraucana, and Maran chicken breeds. While mixed breed chickens aren’t uncommon, Olive Egger chickens are a special breed for a few reasons. The most notable is that Olive Egger hens produce olive-colored eggs. If you are a farmer looking to get into raising chickens but unsure what breed you should pick, raising Olive … Read more
The Prairie Bluebell Egger is a generally active bird capable of incredible egg production. A single hen can lay up to 280 eggs annually. One of the main standout features of this chicken breed is that it lays large powdery blue eggs that are cherished in most markets. Developed to be excellent foragers and hardy, these birds can be a wonderful addition to any backyard chicken farm interested in raising more than just the typical … Read more
Gold Star chickens go by several names. They are typically referred to as the Golden Sex Link, Red Sex Link, or the Gold Star, among many other similar names. This type of chicken is a breed hybrid designed for increased egg production. It has many positive characteristics, chief among them being that its cold hardy. As a chicken keeper, the Gold Star chicken would make a wonderful addition to your backyard flock if you are … Read more
Do chickens need a rooster to lay eggs? While the answer is simple and straightforward, many other factors come into play—factors that not only have legal implications but will directly affect the continuity of your farm. If you are going to keep chickens, whether you want to keep them for their eggs, meat, or breeding purposes, it’s important to know the rules and regulations surrounding chicken farming in your state. Do Chickens Need a Rooster … Read more
Technically speaking, chickens are cold-hardy animals that can tolerate temperatures just below freezing. However, just because they are cold-hardy doesn’t mean they don’t get cold. Learning how cold is too cold for chickens will help you learn how to keep your chickens warm in winter. As a chicken owner in an area that sees harsh freezing temperatures during winter, you must learn how to keep your chickens warm through the colder temperatures. In some cases, … Read more
How long do chickens live? How long do chickens live naturally? Remember, many farmers use them for meat. Which are the best breeds, and what can you do to improve a chicken’s lifespan? These are all questions that any aspiring backyard chicken keeper would reasonably ask themselves and any experts around them. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, there are about 1,600 different breeds of chicken worldwide. Each of these breeds … Read more
Silkie chickens, like the Blue Silkie chicken, are some of the world’s favorite pet chickens. This is mostly because they are fluffy and adorable. As one of a few chicken breeds with feathers all over their bodies, they are covered in feathers from head to toe. Blue Silkies are sought-after because they have unique blue and lavender feathers. Their feathers are soft, look like fur, and feel like satin or silk. The American Bantam Association … Read more
Keeping your flock’s health in mind, learn about pine shavings for chickens along with less toxic alternatives. While pine wood shavings do work as chicken coop material for insulation, you may want to consider other options such as sand. The problem with using pine shavings is the abietic acid from pine resin which can damage lung cells in chickens. Chickens are exposed to abietic acid through inhalation. They will also inhale the fine dust from … Read more
The Texel sheep breed is unlike most other sheep breeds. While some sheep, such as Fat Tail sheep, are bred for their meat but still have a considerable amount of tallow (animal fat) to offer, the Texel breed is specifically bred for meat production. There are quite several Texel sheep varieties available today. These include: Dutch Texel British Texel French Texel While these sheep tend to have some minor differences among them—for example, the British … Read more
If you are looking for a mighty egg producer, the Cinnamon Queen chicken is one to consider. These chickens have quickly become among the most beloved chicken breeds in the US and across the globe. This is because they are have a friendly demeanor, produce eggs at a younger age than many other standard heritage breeds, and lay large-to-extra-large brown eggs. Backyard chicken keepers find Cinnamon Queen chickens a joy to raise and nurture. Not … Read more
Commonly known as water belly in chickens, Ascites is a condition that presents itself as a swollen abdomen in chickens. While there are many other reasons why chickens might have swollen bellies, Ascites is often the go-to culprit. Learn about water belly in chickens, symptoms to watch out for, and treatment. Water Belly in Chickens What is Ascites in chickens? Ascites is a condition that causes a yellowish-colored fluid to accumulate in the chicken’s peritoneal … Read more
Why can’t chickens fly? It’s no big surprise that chickens can’t fly very far. If they could, we’d have to keep them in cages like pigeons and train them to find their way back home when they took flight. As is, even a low fence without a roof is enough to keep chickens enclosed and from flying off into the wild. The fences we build protect them from predators in the outside world more than … Read more
Are mealworms for chickens a good idea? There have been a lot of theories about raising chickens lately. Everyone is trying to find the best way to bring up the best chicks. It’s a known fact that chickens need nutritious foods to help them grow and perform a host of bodily functions well. With the right supplements, chickens can: Easily fight off infections, keeping them healthier longer Lay strong eggs Grow nice, strong bodies These … Read more
Do skunks eat chickens, and if so, what can you do about it? There’s a good chance that whenever you hear the name “skunk,” the first thing that comes to mind is an animal dressed like a cartoon villain capable of producing what is arguably the foulest smell in North America. However, for people raising chickens, skunks are much more than just a respiratory nuisance; they are a deadly chicken predator. While skunks aren’t typically … Read more