Backyard Chickens and Roosters

Backyard chickens and roosters can be a great addition to your homestead. Backyard chickens, sometimes called urban chickens, are fowl breeds that you can raise in a typical backyard.

Raising chickens and roosters may not seem particularly glamorous in an aesthetic sense, but if you get creative, you can find ways to make your backyard really beautiful. Have a look at some chicken fence ideas to get a taste of what you can do with simple DIY projects. Your chickens and roosters might not take much notice, but you’ll have another reason to enjoy dealing with the admin of raising them. You can even use remaining chicken wire to create arts and crafts for inside your home.

Chickens are an excellent food source. They produce eggs. Later, as the chickens mature and their egg production declines, they produce meat.

Raising Backyard Chickens and Roosters

Chickens are trending as people become more concerned where their food comes. Raising chickens in their own backyard give people more control of the quality of eggs produced. Perhaps they choose to free range the chickens or feed them with organic feeds only. This significantly increases the health factor of the eggs and also the meat from the chicken. There are also people who sell eggs and who are keeping chickens as part of a survival or prepping plan.

And what about raising a rooster? Are you considering one? We explore all there is to know about roosters so you can make the right decision.

Silkie Chicken ~ Learn Why These Fluffy Chickens are a Joy to Raise

Here’s what to know about adding a Silkie chicken to your flock. These friendly, small chickens are ideal for beginners and for backyards. Silkies have luxurious plumage, which feels like silk or satin. Their notable characteristics include black meat, puffy-feathers, and tufts on their heads. They look like fluffy chickens. Silkie hens were bred to be broody. They are excellent mothers and can rear the offspring of other birds as well. You can raise the … Read more

Swedish Flower Hen ~ A Swoon-worthy Breed

The Swedish Flower Hen is a dual-purpose chicken. It is less common than other chicken breeds but in demand if you can find the chicks for sale. They are also called Blommehons. Their uniqueness comes from the fact that every single one of them looks different. When you see them together in a flock, each will have a variety of colors. Some have white-tipped feathers or whitish spots at the tips of their feathers. This … Read more

Plymouth Rock Chicken ~ Barred Rocks and Varieties Easy to Raise

A chicken with a striking black and white striped appearance, the Plymouth Rock chicken is one of the most historically popular chickens in the United States. These lovely chickens are friendly, easy to keep, and are good sources of both eggs and meat. If you are looking for a cold hardy, healthy breed that could be considered dual purpose to add to your flock of chickens on your homestead, the Plymouth Rock is an excellent … Read more

Isa Brown Chickens ~ What to Know about these Mighty Producers

A modern crossbreed of chickens, the ISA Brown is low maintenance and personable. It lays plenty of large dark brown eggs. These chickens, also called the Red Star, are adaptable, easy to raise, and relatively healthy. ISA Brown hens have a low feed-to-output ratio which means they have a high ROI. If you prefer brown eggs, they may be ideal for your homestead. ISA Browns are known worldwide as hardy chickens who lay lots of … Read more

Welsummer Chicken ~ Chatty Birds with Lovely Brown Eggs

With a cordial, docile demeanor and lovely, gleaming plumage, the Welsummer chicken is one bird that will stand out for its good looks in your coop. However, there is more to this breed of chicken than meets the eye. Welsummers can also add value to your chicken flock by its egg laying and meat abilities. Learn if raising Welsummer hens and roosters is right for you and where you live. They do better in a … Read more

Jersey Giant Chicken ~ Dual-Purpose for Your Yard

The Jersey Giant chicken is the largest chicken breed in the world. With large bodies and good egg laying abilities, Jersey Giants can supply the meat and egg laying needs for your homestead. They aren’t a common breed. However, these gentle chickens make a good addition for hobby farmers looking for a dual purpose breed. Jersey Giant hens lay up to 200 extra large eggs per year, making them very productive. If you are considering … Read more

Infectious Coryza ~ Keeping Your Flock Healthy

To keep your flock healthy and productive, knowing the signs of common illnesses is crucial. Coryza is one such illness of which chicken keepers should be aware. Infectious coryza is a serious bacterial disease that is contagious and can spread among chickens. It affects the upper respiratory tract. This sickness can be dangerous for very old chickens, chicks, and chickens who aren’t as healthy overall. It isn’t the end of the world for most in … Read more

Muscovy Duck ~ Learn About Raising these Red-Faced Ducks

Good for meat, the Muscovy duck is also useful around a pond, cleaning up insects. Muscovy ducks are a popular domestic breed to raise in North America. They are usually kept as backyard or hobby animals, and sometimes as pets. They are friendly and not aggressive. They are highly adaptable and hardy. Muscovies are not considered to be productive layers. They lay between 40 – 80 white eggs each year. Hens will start laying around … Read more

Can Chickens Eat Tomatoes? What to Know about Tomatoes

If you have a bit of excess garden produce or some scraps from your kitchen, you may have an idea. You may look at your kitchen scraps and wonder, Can Chickens Eat Tomatoes? When you first start raising chickens, you may be a bit nervous. You know that the layer pellets and chicken scratch that you buy at the store is safe for your feathered friends. After you have had them for a while, you … Read more

Golden Laced Wyandotte ~ The Supermodel of the Backyard Flock

A versatile, all-American breed with a friendly personality and nice egg laying abilities, a Golden Laced Wyandotte is an excellent choice for a backyard or small homestead flock. When you add in the fact that their plumage practically glows in the morning sunlight, you may write Golden Wyandottes at the top of the list of new breeds to try when you are choosing your spring chicks at the feed store. These birds are eye-catching with … Read more