If you’re wondering what it’s really like to receive baby chicks shipped through the mail, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions new backyard chicken owners ask.

Oregano is a popular herb in backyard chicken keeping, and not just for cooking! Many flock owners wonder if it can also help keep worms and other parasites in check. While oregano essential oil is well-known for its natural support of digestive and immune health, its role in parasite control is still being explored. What the Research Says Oregano contains powerful plant compounds like carvacrol and thymol, which are known for their natural antimicrobial and antifungal proper

It’s spring, and you know what that means! Backyard flocks are booming. Thanks to rising egg prices, baby chicks are flying off the shelves as more people dive into the joys of raising chickens. And while the eggs are certainly a bonus, it’s the fun, quirky personalities of chickens that make them truly lovable. Eggs are one of the most popular kitchen staples around the world, and most of them come from chickens. Sure, duck and goose eggs have their place, but today we’re ta

Picture credit: Hoover’s Hatchery Do you have a running list of chickens you’d like to add to your flock? Of course you do! Well, I have one more you should add to your list. I have this breed on my list as well. The Java breed is a heritage breed that arrived in the United States in the early 1800s, and they are gorgeous! What Makes the Java Chicken so Special? The Java chicken breed is known for being incredibly docile and friendly. If you’ve got kids, love visitors or just

Most people start raising backyard chickens for the fresh eggs, but they quickly realize their hens become beloved pets, too. It’s truly a win-win! If you think about it, it’s amazing that a chicken can lay an egg in just 24 hours. But for this process to happen consistently, your hens need proper care, nutrition and a stress-free environment. The good news? Meeting their needs isn’t as complicated as it might seem. If you provide them with the essentials, they’ll do the rest

Introducing new chickens to an existing flock can be a tricky process, and how you do it matters! The integration phase is crucial for keeping your flock happy and stress-free. I wrote an entire blog on this process, and you can find it here! One effective technique (I haven’t tried) that many experienced chicken keepers recommend is introducing new chickens at night. I have seen and read about many successful cases where it’s worked like a charm. Here’s why this method works

There is nothing better than getting little chicks. I love listening to their tiny peeps and spend hours just observing their behaviors. They are tiny, fluffy, and usually so sweet! It’s important to enjoy this stage because it doesn’t last long! Chicks grow into chickens really fast! And if you want happy, healthy hens that will lay plenty of eggs, it’s important to understand each stage of their development and provide the right nutrition and care along the way. Stage 1: Th

Raising backyard chickens is so rewarding and fulfilling! There’s nothing better than watching your girls flock toward you or collecting fresh eggs from the coop. However, not every part of chicken keeping is fun—especially when sickness strikes. Respiratory infections are one of the more serious health risks your chickens can face, and as their caretaker, it’s important to know how to spot and treat them! What Causes Respiratory Infections in Chickens? Respiratory infections

Thrush, also known as candidiasis, is a fungal infection that affects birds and is caused primarily by the Candida species. It can lead to big health issues if not addressed quickly or left untreated. In this post, we’ll walk through what thrush looks like, why it happens, how to treat it, and, most importantly - how to keep it from becoming a problem in the first place. Symptoms of Thrush in Birds The symptoms of thrush in chickens can vary, but common signs include: White,

As we know, raising healthy and productive chickens requires a well balanced diet. One of the best ways to ensure your chickens get all the necessary nutrients is to include seeds in their diet! Seeds not only provide proteins, fats and vitamins but also promote foraging, which is really important for your chickens’ overall well-being. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the top seeds to keep your flock happy, healthy and thriving! 6 Best Seeds for Chickens Sunflower seeds

When it comes to backyard poultry, one of the most common questions new chicken owners ask is about the color of the eggs their hens will lay. Honestly? I feel like white eggs almost get a bad wrap these days! Haha! Everyone is after a colorful egg basket and I’m one of them. However, I am always amazed at the sheer beauty of white eggs. Egg color can range from brown to white, blue, pink and even green, but in this blog, we’ll focus on the breeds of chickens that lay white e

I remember when I started raising backyard chickens. The only thing I was concerned about was having nice chickens that loved me and laid a lot of eggs. Haha! I put zero thought into my egg basket. It took me all of a month to realize what I was going to be missing out on! As a dedicated chicken keeper, I couldn’t resist expanding my flock to include a variety of stunning colors. If you’re not familiar with "chicken math," I highly recommend looking it up—or just check out th

Believe it or not, chickens are one of the most common domesticated animals in the world, providing us with eggs, meat, and incredible pets. People all over the world keep chickens and a question that often arises is whether chickens are omnivores. What are they actually eating when they’re out and about patrolling your backyard? Are Chickens Omnivores? First, we need to answer what an omnivore is! Omnivore is a fancy word for an organism that eats both plant and animal matte

Chicken lice may not be the most glamorous topic, but they’re a critical concern for chicken owners everywhere. These pesky pests are becoming more prevalent, especially among free-range flocks and backyard flocks. Let’s take a closer look at chicken lice, understand why they’re becoming more problematic and uncover effective treatment and prevention strategies, including the role of diatomaceous earth. Why Are Chicken Lice Becoming a Bigger Problem? Lice aren’t exactly new t

Discover which veggies your chickens can safely enjoy! From leafy greens to pumpkins, these treats will keep your flock happy & healthy.

It’s summertime and for the most part our flock loves to free range as much as possible during the day. They love to scavenge the yard and find interesting treats as they scratch around and explore. However, there are days that I don’t let the girls’ free range due to weather, our dogs, or simply because I don’t want them pooping everywhere (amen!?) or our Minnesota winters. If this is the case on any given day, I like to treat the girls with scratch, fruit and veggies or o

Keeping chickens as backyard pets and for egg production has become very popular among homeowners! I feel like since covid hit, backyard chickens and gardening blew up because people were home and had time to care for their flocks and gardens. Since then, thanks to Pinterest and responsible chicken keepers, the industry continues to grow! However, before diving into the world of backyard chickens, it's important to determine if you can legally have chickens in your residentia

Summer has officially started in the Midwest, and we are so excited! The luscious green grass, trees and landscape are especially gorgeous in Minnesota at this time of year. However, along with summer’s beautiful landscapes, it also brings some gross pests for your flock. Don’t get me wrong, these pests are not limited to summer, but where we live, nothing wants to survive in the winter! Haha! However, it is still possible, so it’s good to know how to prevent and treat them

Let me kick off this blog with a quick disclaimer: I'm no pro at determining whether your cute little chick is a he or she, but let's dive into how the experts do it! If you’re part of any backyard chicken group on Facebook, you’ve probably seen folks asking weekly about their chicks’ gender. Trust me, I get the curiosity! I've ended up with a couple of surprise roosters myself from "straight run" breeds, which means they haven’t been sexed yet. Navigating the world of chick

It’s springtime and that means one thing around our place….chicks! There is nothing better than bringing those cute little feather balls home and getting them all settled in their brooder. Don’t worry, if you’re like I was just starting out, you don’t even know what a brooder is! A brooder is the chicks’ first home for about the first six weeks of their life. It’s very important to get your brooder set up and ready with a reliable heat source, light, water and food before you