Happy isn’t sure about the snow! Yikes! It’s only the end of October and already our ground is covered in snow and the temperatures make...

Not the side-eye from Happy haha! She's just proud of her carved pumpkin. Treating my chickens to fun, healthy snacks is one of my...

You guys!!! I’ve been boiling eggs the old-fashioned way my entire life, and while I don’t mind it, I recently discovered a new method...

I belong to a number of backyard chicken groups on social media and one of the questions I’ve seen the most is how to prepare your coop and chickens for winter. Living in Minnesota, winters are long, but it's nothing to get stressed about. Understanding How Chickens Stay Warm Naturally Let’s start with the physiology of chickens. Chickens have a built-in down winter coat. Meaning, their feathers provide great insulation. In fact, chickens don’t have sweat glands, so they actu

Looking for an unbeatable apple crisp recipe? Well, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve spent the last 20 years perfecting this recipe, and trust me, it’s worth the effort. The first time I made apple crisp, it was... not great. Just ask my husband—he still laughs about it! But after plenty of trial and error, I’ve nailed it. Bring this apple crisp to your next gathering, and you might just be the star of the show! It’s no secret that I’m not a gourmet chef, but if I can han

Living in Minnesota, we get to experience all four seasons, and I absolutely love it! Each one has its own unique charm, but without a doubt, fall is my favorite. The crisp air, the vibrant leaves, and, of course, pumpkin spice everything make this season extra special! This year, I decided to bring some of that fall fun to my chickens. They’re molting right now and could use a little pick-me-up. The best part? These activities didn’t cost a thing, and my flock had a blast! F

While there are a plethora of diseases that chickens can get, I was determined to never have to deal with any of that! Hahaha but guess what? That’s not real life, and when you’re raising chickens it’s better to be educated and prepared than taken by surprise. Regular Health Checks Are Key I frequently check my girls over from head to toe. I like to do that on a regular basis to make sure they are happy and healthy. Much to my dismay, I noticed that Reba had a case of bumblef

Where did summer go? For some of you, school is already in session, but our kids don’t start until September this year. We love summer in our family, so this time of year is always bittersweet. I’m that mom who always cries on the first day of school. Anyone else? Even though I have mixed feelings about summer ending, I’ve found that being organized helps me handle it a little better. I’m a terrible meal planner during the summer, but I usually do a decent job when school sta

Today, we’re diving into one of the more unpleasant aspects of raising backyard chickens—flystrike in chickens. Fun, right? (Insert...

Are you a pancake lover, but the pancakes don’t love you back? I can relate. I love pancakes, but I rarely eat them because, let’s face it—afterward, I’m left feeling overly full, and the nutrition facts don’t do us any favors. Holy calories! However, I’m a firm believer in “everything in moderation." So, if pancakes are your thing, enjoy them every once in a while! But if you’re looking for a lower sugar, low-carb alternative, you’re in the right place today. My Experience w

Salmonella poisoning is a scary thought for anyone raising backyard chickens, and trust me, I’ve been there — and Rosemary and I are wrinkling our noses at the thought! We’ve all heard horror stories about salmonella outbreaks, and believe it or not, chickens can sometimes be a contributor to this bacteria. But don’t worry—with the right hygiene and egg handling practices, you can easily reduce the risk. I’m no expert, but as a backyard chicken keeper with access to some grea

The mornings are cooling off here in Minnesota, but afternoons still warm up. Cicadas are singing, and the sunsets are stunning. It’s also that time of year when our garden is overflowing with fresh produce! BLTs, green beans, and more, our garden has been thriving! And it’s been a joy for the whole family. Growing Up with a Garden I grew up surrounded by family who gardened. My childhood memories are full of eating fresh food from the garden, snap peas until our stomachs hur

The first time that I raised backyard chickens, we started with a mature flock to begin with. If I could do it all over, I would raise them from chicks and not purchase already grown hens and roos. It went okay, but we didn’t have that bond that we do with our current flock. In fact, our first flock ended with a showdown between our 2-year-old son and our not so loving rooster, and me chasing everyone with a garden hose! It was quite a sight and the neighbors definitely had s

Can you believe we’re already in the middle of summer? If your house is anything like mine, you probably have eggs coming out of your ears! Gathering eggs is one of my favorite chores, but I sometimes get asked by fellow chicken keepers: "Why did my chicken lay a soft egg?" or "Why is my chicken laying soft-shelled eggs?" If you’re experiencing this with your hens, don’t worry—I’ve got some answers for you! Why Did My Chicken Lay a Soft Egg? Hens can lay soft-shelled eggs for

It’s that time of year around here—our egg basket is overflowing! After eating as many as we can, selling, and gifting eggs, I still have an abundance. So, what’s the solution when you have too many eggs? You freeze them! I’ve read a ton of articles about the pros and cons of freezing eggs, and honestly, it didn’t appeal to me at first. But I decided to give it a try and let you know how it turned out for our family. How to Freeze Eggs: A Step-by-Step Guide If you’re wonderin

Last week was a crazy week! We were tying up loose ends, trying to pack for the 4th of July at the lake, and ensuring we had everything ready for my father-in-law to watch our animals. I was super busy in the kitchen when my husband walked through the door. “Oh good! You made supper. I’m so hungry!” he said. Imagine my sheepish grin when I explained that those meal containers he was drooling over were Flock Fixer Frozen Treats for my chickens! Hahaha! I laughed so hard, and

Happy Independence Day! It’s hard to believe the 4th of July is already here! I love this time of year. My hometown in Southwest Minnesota always has their big celebration. The lake is always hopping and it’s a great time to catch up with anyone who happens to be home for the weekend. For my family, heading up to Northern Minnesota is also a favorite of ours. Anytime with my family is priceless, but the 4th of July is always special! In case you need a quick, easy recipe to

Raising backyard chickens is a true joy in my life. Before we reentered raising our feathered friends, I’d scroll through social media...

I would love to tell you that I’m a DIY queen and that I know my way around power tools and the lumber yard, but I’m not and I don’t! I enjoy watching people do it though, so does that count? Haha! Last summer, I was scrolling through what every DIY “wannabe” does to grab ideas for the flock to enjoy. I came across a picture of a really fun “playset” for chickens. I sent the picture to my husband and a few hours later, he and our daughter had it built! A Simple, Fun DIY Chick

We are so excited around here! When you live in Minnesota, you learn to appreciate the beautiful weather. So for us, Summer is finally...