I know what you’re thinking… there’s always something to celebrate, right? It’s hard to keep track of all the national holidays! But National Egg Day? That’s one I can definitely get on board with! Hahaha! So today, we’re going to dive into some fun and interesting facts about eggs that will make you appreciate them even more. Fun Egg Facts You Need to Know The Department of Agriculture predicts that the average American eats 250 eggs per year. That’s approximately 76.5 billi

If you're raising chickens, you’ve likely noticed they’re always eager to peck at whatever scraps they can find. While they might seem to know what's good for them, not all foods are safe for chickens. In fact, some common kitchen leftovers can cause serious harm. To help keep your flock healthy, here’s a list of 10 foods you should never feed your chickens and the reasons why they’re dangerous. Foods & Plants that are Toxic to Chickens 1. Candy and Chocolate While we love i

When we first started our backyard chicken journey, we did a lot of research on bedding for our girls. Clean, dry bedding is paramount in keeping your chickens healthy. Yet, if you have kept chickens for any length of time, you know they poop a lot wherever and whenever they want. Why Bedding Matters: The Role of Ammonia in Chicken Health Chicken poop contains nitrogen and when it’s broken down by bacteria or by getting wet, it creates ammonia. Too much of this can cause res

Raising backyard chickens has been one of my very best decisions. It’s way more than just yummy eggs whenever we want. Our flock has become family, and we have all learned so much along the way. I’ve talked to many people who would love to get into backyard chickens but are a little apprehensive because they don’t really know the day to day needs and responsibilities of them. I always encourage these people that chickens are super sustainable for most schedules and lifestyles

As most of you know, our family lives on an acreage. It’s a beautiful setting along a riverbed with lots of wide open space to dream about our next adventure. For us, there are more pros than cons to living in the country. However, there are definitely certain times when living in the city would make our life easier! Whenever my mind goes there, I often think about what I’d have to leave behind, and I quickly remember why we stay. However, what if I were to tell you, you migh

Have you ever watched those “Life Hacks” videos? Our kids are really into them, and one day, our youngest son asked if we could make "poofy eggs." I immediately knew he was talking about cloud eggs! He was surprised I knew about them, and I was excited to give them a try. Let me tell you, they turned out SO good! If you want to “wow” your family or guests with something unique and delicious, give cloud eggs a shot! What Are Cloud Eggs? Cloud eggs are a fun and fluffy way to s

I’m really excited about this week’s blog for two reasons. First of all, we get to talk about feeding our chicks as naturally as...

It’s April and that means one thing...I know what you’re thinking…it’s National Eggs Benedict Day! Haha just kidding! You’re probably thinking about Spring, baby chicks and getting your gardens started. I’m totally with you on these topics too. However, if you’re looking for something fun to try with all of those eggs you’re getting, why not give a new eggs Benedict recipe a try on the national holiday? Now, I'm nowhere near an Iron Chef. I’m probably more of a Nailed It type

One of my favorite childhood memories is going to our local nursing home and participating in their annual Easter egg hunt. I remember...

It’s officially spring, and if you’re thinking about starting a flock of your own, there are some important things to consider before you bring home those cute little chicks. I remember the first time I brought home chicks and a couple of ducklings. I was so excited but totally unprepared! Luckily, my husband stepped in and saved the day. From that experience, I learned the importance of research, communication and being prepared. Do You Live in an Area That Allows Chickens?

It’s that time of year when we’re all getting anxious to be outside. Especially if you live in Minnesota where the winters are super long. Believe me when I say, we’re all very ready for spring and warmer days! Haha! Luckily, this time of the year is also when the days finally get a little longer. So, if you haven’t already been supplementing light in your coops, your hens should be starting to lay again! I remember the day we received our very first egg and how exciting that

If you're feeling like you need a break and are looking for something fun to do with the kids, I’ve got just the thing! How about combining story time with a little bit of kitchen fun? It’s a perfect way to engage the kids, keep them entertained, and even sneak in a bit of learning. Here’s my idea: start by sitting down together and reading the classic Dr. Seuss book, Green Eggs and Ham. It’s a childhood favorite filled with rhymes, silliness, and a message about trying new t

People frequently ask me how I’ve kept my flock so healthy this time around. Let me tell you it wasn’t always this easy! In last week’s blog, I mentioned how I've tried raising chickens in the past and disease and poor health ravaged my flock both times. But this time around, it's like POOF, healthy chickens! The only thing I did different with this flock was I started using oregano essential oil products. Dr. Bob Stock My Q& A with Dr. Bob Stock I've been determined to find

Can I be perfectly honest with you? I was a little hesitant when we started back up with chickens a year and a half ago. I remember our first flocks. We’d get chickens, they’d get sick with something and then they’d die here and there. Or, they'd get eaten by a predator. I really had to sit down and think about it before we jumped back in. Since I didn't know a lot about chicken health then, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to experience all of that again. But please, if you’re on t

If you've seen our social media posts lately, you know that we've proudly added four new baby chicks to our flock this month. To say I was excited was an understatement! Rosemary, Big Betsy, Scarlet O’Henna, and Opal are growing rapidly and adjusting well. It’s only February here in Minnesota, so it’s a bit early for “chick days.” I may have jumped the gun a little, but it all worked out great! Ordering Baby Chicks: Our Experience I ordered my chicks via the mail. My sister a

Do you take a daily multivitamin to stay healthy? Most of us do, because even with the best intentions (and cooking skills!), it’s tough to get all the nutrients we need from food alone. That’s why my family and I rely on a high-quality multivitamin to help fill in the gaps and keep us feeling our best. But here’s something you might not have thought about: just like us, chickens need their own vitamins to thrive too! And just as not all human vitamins are created equal, the

Valentine’s Day is almost here. Now, I know that many people don’t care for this holiday, but I don’t fall into that particular category! I've always enjoyed this day. What a fun opportunity to celebrate the love in your relationships, kids, and spouse. As an extra treat this year, I’m going to use some of my feathered girls' abundance and make heart-shaped eggs for my family. My daughter and I gave it a test run the other day and it was super simple! This is a fun and easy

It’s the middle of winter here in Minnesota and temperatures frequently drop below freezing. Many people question my choice to live here, but if they’d experience the other seasons, they would know why. Minnesota is a wonderful place to grow up, raise a family or even just visit! However, I do sometimes wonder if my flock wishes we lived somewhere more mild, but they can’t talk so I’ll never know! Ha! Why Do Chickens Lay Fewer Eggs in Winter? It's typical for egg production t

One of the most exciting times we’ve had in our backyard chicken experience is the day we received our very first egg. If you've gone through this, you know how thrilling that first egg is! When our girls first started laying it was very early spring. They were technically still “cooped up” then. But to our surprise, Coco plopped her first egg right there on the floor that day, and I didn’t even care because I was so excited!! After our first egg, I remember researching what

If you’ve never experienced a January in Minnesota, you should, at least once in your life! I was born and raised here, and still, there are times when I’m surprised at the sub-zero temperatures we get! I mean the kind of temperatures where your skin hurts just being outside, and your lungs sting when you inhale too quickly. Usually around this time of year, weather officials start to warn about the dangers these temps can cause. They tell us it’s important to take special ca