Backyard Chickens & Roosters

Can ducks eat chicken feed? When raising ducks and chickens together, it’s important to know if they can share feed and eat the same foods. They have certain nutritional requirements, and duck feeds are designed to meet those needs. It’s important to know what do ducks eat. When raising ducks for the first time, it’s important to know if ducks can eat chicken feed and can ducklings eat chick starter. This includes starter, grower, finisher, … Read more

You need to know what to feed ducklings if you’re considering raising or breeding ducks. Their dietary needs change depending on their age.  Knowing what to feed ducklings is also important if you want to raise strong, healthy animals. As a first time duckling owner, you’ll also need answers to questions like “How often should ducklings be fed?” and “How to feed a baby duck?” We’ll this information and more to ensure that your ducklings … Read more

Here we explain how do chickens mate. Like all animals, chickens also have mating rituals they abide by. If you’re planning on getting chickens and a rooster for your backyard, learning how do chickens mate is crucial. When learning how chickens mate, you’ll discover that it is a process that comes with a little bit of variety. Still, some standards are typical across all types of chickens and roosters. Learning about chicken mating rituals ensures you … Read more

Whether you are thinking about raising chickens for eggs, for show, or adding to your brood, here’s what to know about the Sumatra chicken. The Sumatra chicken is an ornamental breed. Many people raise them to show or to breed. While they lay eggs, that isn’t the main reason to keep Sumatra chickens.  In addition, homesteaders rarely raise them for meat as they have small carcasses. Raising Sumatra Chickens It’s important to know, this breed … Read more

If you want to raise ducks, you’ll need to either buy a duck house or learn how to build a duck house yourself. Before you start building, there are some considerations to keep in mind to ensure you meet their needs better and make maintenance and cleaning easier. Ducks are among the most easy-going animals to raise. When considering how to house ducks, remember it needs to protect them from predators. The best duck house … Read more

Learn about the Speckled Sussex chicken and if it’s right for your hobby farm. A dual purpose chicken, they are a bit larger than other chicken breeds with friendly personalities. In addition to being good egg layers and an excellent meat source, speckled Sussex chickens have an interesting appearance that makes them very popular among homesteaders. They have speckled white on their feathers which almost looks like snow. This breed has a single comb with … Read more

Australorp sounds like a unique name for a chicken, but you’d be surprised at how common they are. You’ve even likely seen one, as they are a popular breed for homesteaders. They are hardy in cold as well as hot temperatures.  In addition to being a dual purpose chicken, they are known as “egg-laying machines”. They are a beautiful chicken breed that quickly became the honorary national bird of Australia. This Australorp care guide explains … Read more

There are many domestic duck breeds to consider if you want to raise backyard ducks. Learn which is best whether you want them for meat, eggs, to show, for breeding, or down. Whether you are starting out homesteading or have a small farm, ducks make a good addition. Many duck breeds are dual-purpose. If you plan to raise them for meat or a pet, you will still have the benefit of eggs. If you want … Read more

The Buff Orpington is among the most popular chicken breeds. It is a large and attractive chicken known for its docility, quiet personality, and great temperament. It is also classified by the American Poultry Association (APA) as a heritage chicken. They naturally mate and have a long, productive outdoor lifespan of 5 – 7 years. Buff Orpingtons make an excellent addition to backyard chicken coops. Buff Orpington History When the “chicken fever” died in the … Read more

Some common questions are, “How long do fresh eggs last?” and “Do you refrigerate fresh eggs?” This is because modern people in the USA live with several layers of separation between themselves and their food. Most modern food contains preservatives, so it’s difficult to know how long fresh foods, such as eggs, last.  We will answer these questions and more to ensure you eat healthy and fresh eggs all the time.   What Are the … Read more

Here’s what to know about turkey eggs. The domestic turkey is a large fowl native to North America and characterized by its blue and red head with a prominent snood and wattle. It is often rotund and considered a form of poultry. As domesticated birds, you would think people would eat more of their eggs. After all, people consume turkey meat. Many homesteaders raise turkeys from chicks. However, turkey eggs never seemed to catch on … Read more

Here’s what to know about incubating chicken eggs whether you are a beginner or have some experience. Perhaps your hens are non-broody or maybe you want to buy fertile eggs to incubate yourself. Eggs from non-broody chickens mean that incubating eggs has sometimes become the duty of the farmer instead of the hen. Alternatively, you may have purchased eggs with the plan to incubate them yourself. Incubating Chicken Eggs in Four Steps If you raise … Read more

Raising Rhode Island Red chickens is a great way to have a reliable source of eggs and meat. They are easy to care for and can be raised in small spaces. This breed is ideal for beginners and is generally robust and healthy. If you want lots of eggs, RIRs are a great choice. Rhode Island Reds were initially bred as dual-purpose birds, making their qualities more utilitarian in nature instead of aesthetical. Learn what … Read more

When you’re focused on raising ducks, there are many things to consider. In most cases, people like having them on the property because they are entertaining and cute. However, it’s also essential that you realize ducks are highly unique. Most people actually believe that the process of raising a duck and chicken are the same. While both species are similar in many ways, there are significant differences, as well. Before you decide to raise ducks … Read more

Here’s what to know when choosing the best meat chickens for your rural, suburban, or urban backyard. Raising chickens for meat can be a way to provide for your family and have a secure food source. Plus, raising chickens is fun! Every year, people focus on what they eat and desire to be healthier. Typically, supermarket meat has added hormones in it, so people try to grow food for themselves. If you didn’t grow up … Read more

Eggs are an excellent source of protein, so it’s makes sense many people want to have an endless supply. Here we discuss Duck Eggs vs Chicken Eggs. You may consider owning a chicken since they’re the most popular for eggs. Chicken eggs are easy to prepare, healthy, and delicious.  Of course, ducks lay eggs, as well. Certain duck breeds are well-known for having an abundance of eggs, and you may be curious as to their … Read more

If you’re hoping to raise chickens and have plenty of eggs, you need to focus on the best egg-laying chickens. Choosing the right chicken breeds for eggs is essential. People throughout the world consume a lot of eggs, usually from chickens. Many people are now raising chickens on their property and in their backyards. You can save money each year by doing this, but you need enough space and the best egg laying chickens. Choose … Read more

Most people who will see guinea fowl or guineafowl on your property will automatically assume they are turkeys. They do look similar to turkeys and shuffle around as they do, but they are quite different. Many people choose to raise them because they are small meat birds but don’t know much about them. It’s never easy to start caring for any new type of animal, including a guinea fowl, so you should research your options … Read more

Best Chicken Coops – More and more people are getting into the idea of owning livestock. In particular, many are interested in owning chickens so that they can have a fresh, reliable, and clean source of eggs.  Despite this interest, those interested (like you!) may not know what kind of coop they should get. Setting up your small flock of chickens can’t be complete without a coop to protect them and the eggs that they … Read more