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Backyard Chickens & 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.

What I Wish I Knew Before Getting Chickens

What I Wish I Knew Before Getting Chickens ~ 18 Things

November 12, 2023September 15, 2023 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

Please learn from this list of what I wish I knew before getting chickens. I started with stories about predators wiping out my friends’ chickens. Keeping your chickens safe has to be a priority… even … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
Things to Consider Before Raising Chickens

9 Things to Consider Before Raising Chickens

December 5, 2023September 10, 2023 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

Keeping chickens for farm-fresh eggs can be a rewarding and fun experience, but it requires effort. Understanding what to anticipate will help you determine if it’s a fit for you at this time. Chickens aren’t … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
Sebastopol geese

Sebastopol Geese ~ 6 Reasons to Raise, Breeding, Care, and More

November 22, 2023July 31, 2023 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by Sara Wambeke

Sebastopol geese are a domesticated, medium-sized breed. They are very social and do well in a flock. Depending on your needs, they may be a good addition to your farm or homestead. Known for their … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
largest chicken breeds

Largest Chicken Breeds ~ Biggest, Heaviest, Tallest

November 12, 2023June 20, 2023 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

The largest chicken breeds command attention with their notable size and stature. Many of these sizeable birds are dual-purpose, prized for both their meat and egg-laying abilities. The Jersey Giant, true to its name, tips … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
Can you eat roosters

Can You Eat Roosters ~ What to Know About Male Chickens for Meat

November 12, 2023June 12, 2023 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

It’s common to wonder: Can you eat roosters? Yes, roosters are edible. Roosters are male chickens. Their meat is a bit tougher and stringer than meat from hens but when slow-cooked on low in stews, … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
Naked Neck chickens

Naked Neck Chickens aka Turkens ~ Dual Purpose and Hardy

November 12, 2023June 8, 2023 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

Naked Neck chickens, also known as Turken or Transylvanian Naked Neck, have gained popularity as a dual-purpose chicken breed. Renowned for their distinctive resemblance to turkeys and their remarkable features, such as a featherless neck, … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
chicken bedding

Chicken Bedding Options and What’s Best for Your Flock

November 12, 2023May 31, 2023 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

Chicken bedding is used to manage chicken waste. It helps support a clean, comfortable, and healthy chicken coop. It provides comfort and safety. From providing a cozy nesting spot for your hens to absorbing odors … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
California White chicken

California White Chicken ~ Quiet Superstars of Backyard Flocks

November 12, 2023May 22, 2023 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

The California White chicken, robust and resilient, is an ideal choice for first-time chicken owners who want lots of eggs. Ideal for backyards and practical for those residing in urban settings, these friendly, prolific layers … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
Can chickens eat bananas

Can Chickens Eat Bananas and Banana Peels ~ A Bunch of Helpful Tips

October 23, 2023May 19, 2023 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

Can chickens eat bananas? Yes, they can. Chickens can also eat banana peels. In moderation, bananas are safe for your flock. Before feeding chickens bananas for the first time, there are a few different things … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
funny duck names

Funny Duck Names ~ 300+ Names That Will Quack You Up

October 16, 2023May 18, 2023 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

Quack up with a good laugh. This gaggle of funny duck names was plucked from our wildest imaginations. Nothing brightens a day quite like a duck waddling around with a hilariously punny name. We’re all … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
Icelandic chickens

Icelandic Chickens ~ Cold Hardy, Resilient, Friendly

September 27, 2023April 30, 2023 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

Icelandic chickens, also known as landrace fowl, are one of the most genetically robust chickens in the world. As the name suggests, Icelandic birds were developed in the Nordic islands. Because they were isolated and … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
Shamo chicken

Shamo Chicken Traits, Uniqueness, and Aggression

November 14, 2023April 27, 2023 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

Originally bred as a fighting chicken, the Shamo chicken is an Asiatic game fowl from Japan. It isn’t a native of Japan; it was only developed there. Its ancestors were mostly found in Thailand, known … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
chicken names

555+ Chicken Names for Your Fun Feathered Flock

October 16, 2023April 18, 2023 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

Use this ultimate list of chicken names to find the perfect ones for your lovable flock. There are names that are cute, funny, and unique. Some are based on the chicken’s size, whether they are … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
California tan chicken

California Tan Chicken ~ Everything You Need to Know

November 14, 2023November 2, 2022 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

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 … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
how long do roosters live

How Long Do Roosters Live and 4 Factors that Affect Rooster Lifespan

November 14, 2023October 10, 2022 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

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 … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
Olive Egger chickens

Olive Egger Chickens ~ Eggs, Appearance, Temperament, Sexing and More

November 14, 2023October 3, 2022 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

Here’s what to know about raising an Olive Egger chicken. Hens begin laying when they are around 5 months old, and each hen can lay 175 eggs in a year. Olive Egger chickens are a … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
Prairie bluebell egger

Prairie Bluebell Egger ~ Productive Blue Egg Layers

November 14, 2023September 29, 2022 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

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 … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
gold star chickens

Gold Star Chickens ~ Everything You Need to Know

November 8, 2023August 16, 2022 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

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 … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
Do Chickens Need a Rooster to Lay Eggs

Do Chickens Need a Rooster to Lay Eggs ~ What to Know About Egg-Laying

November 8, 2023August 14, 2022 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

Do chickens need a rooster to lay eggs? No, hens don’t need a rooster to lay eggs. Female chickens will lay regardless. However, hens need a rooster to lay fertile eggs. If you want to … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
How Cold Can Chickens Tolerate

How Cold Can Chickens Tolerate? How to Keep them Warm in Winter

November 14, 2023August 4, 2022 by Dawn Head
Reviewed by

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 … Read more

Categories Backyard Chickens & Roosters
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