Backyard Chickens and Roosters

The Lavender Orpington, also referred to as the Self-Blue Orpington, is a regal breed that’s a welcome addition to most homestead flocks.  They have an easy-going temperament and lay approximately 200 eggs per year. Due to their extensive feathering, they are cold hardy. They do well free-range or confined. Its stunning plumage along with its many other outstanding characteristics makes Lavender Orpington chickens a popular choice for many homestead families. Keep reading to learn more … Read more

If you’re on the market for ducks to raise, the Rouen duck is an excellent choice. They are a large breed, well domesticated, offer delicious meat, and require little maintenance. In addition, they are excellent foragers, making them ideal for pest control. Rouen ducks are not great egg layers. They are usually kept and bred for their meat. Rouen meat is considered one of the two best types of duck meat available, known for its … Read more

Black Copper Marans are a dual-purpose chicken breed. Their history, physical appearance, behaviors, meat production, and eggs contribute to their uniqueness and popularity. They are usually toward the middle of the pecking order so consider raising them with less aggressive breeds if raising them in a mixed flock. They are of French descent and are winter hardy. This breed is also called French Black Copper Marans. Hens will begin laying when they are 5 – … Read more

Originating from Malaysia, the Serama chicken is a lovable breed that has sparked the interest of many in the western world. Their lovable nature and tiny size make desirable for chicken lovers.   Though their appearance may pull at your heartstrings, these little beauties can be quite costly. It’s the smallest chicken in the world and a true bantam breed. It’s important not to raise them in a mixed flock. Let’s take a look at some … Read more

If you like to raise chickens that require minimal work, and you love fresh eggs, the Sapphire Gem chicken is for you. These medium-sized chickens have fun personalities and are great with kids. Sapphire Gem hens will lay nearly 300 large brown eggs a year. This makes them a good choice if you are wanting prolific layers. They are also fairly cold and heat tolerant. It’s a relatively new variety and can be difficult to … Read more

While rooster crowing might seem like nothing more than mindless noise to us, it plays a variety of important roles in mating, security, and more. Why do roosters crow? Let’s take a closer look, including how you can potentially limit any disturbance. If you keep roosters on your property, or live near someone who does, you’re likely quite familiar with the sound of their crowing.  A rooster’s crow is often heard far and wide, and … Read more

Indian runner ducks are known for their upright, slender bodies that resemble bowling pins. They resemble penguins more than any other duck breed, but they can run quickly. This domestic duck cannot fly. People usually raise them for their eggs rather than meat because they are lightweight ducks. Runner hens lay 300 or more eggs per year making them a great duck breed for eggs. They are active foragers making them ideal for insect extermination … Read more

In my experience, Coturnix quail are not just delicious to eat, but they are also easy to raise, and they produce plenty of eggs and meat for you and your family. Coturnix quails are a smaller type of game bird. They are smaller than chickens or other fowl which makes them ideal for backyard farms. They are an excellent alternative poultry source. Mature in just six weeks, this makes them efficient in terms of producing … Read more

The Pekin duck is among the most popular domestic duck breeds worldwide. Here’s what you need to know for raising this white duck successfully for meat, eggs, as a pet, and other uses. Pekin Duck  Pekin ducks, an American breed also known as the White Pekin or American Pekin, is one of the most recognizable breeds for many North Americans.  Its feathers are all white, contrasted only by its orange bill, legs, and feet. Researchers … Read more

Think of chicken nesting boxes as furniture for your chickens. To keep your chickens healthy and to enjoy fresh eggs, you want to have an inviting space for them to nest. Nesting boxes give your hens a comfortable, private place to lay eggs. They’ll learn to leave the nest and go outside to stretch, run, and forage. Providing chicken nesting boxes gives them privacy, so they’ll feel safe while laying eggs. Before you buy or … Read more