There’s something so special about walking out to the coop to collect fresh eggs! The hard shells, rich yolks and buttery taste of farm fresh eggs can’t be rivaled. But when it comes to cleaning those fresh eggs from your flock, there’s often some confusion about the best way to do it. Proper egg washing is key to keeping your eggs safe, clean and fresh whether you’re collecting for your family, gifting to friends or selling at a local farmers market. Here’s everything you ne

It’s a cold January here in Minnesota and I’ve had a number of people reach out as to why their hens aren’t laying eggs. Keeping chickens can be a rewarding experience, especially when you enjoy the fresh eggs they provide. However, it can be concerning when your hens suddenly stop laying! There are a few different reasons why chickens stop laying eggs and today we’re going to look at each one of those. Seasonal Changes Chickens are sensitive to daylight and temperature chang

Picture Credit: Spectrum Poultry I know what you’re thinking…pink eggs?!?! Stick with me. I’m not talking about bright pink eggs. While most people are familiar with the classic white and brown eggs, some chicken breeds surprise us with pastel shades, including the enchanting pink egg. Before we get into specific breeds, it’s important to understand that a chicken’s egg color is determined primarily by its genetics. The color of the eggshell is influenced by the breed for s

When it comes to raising backyard chickens, one of the most rewarding moments is collecting fresh eggs. A question I get asked a lot is, “How often should I collect eggs?” This leads to another common question, "How long can chicken eggs stay in the coop before collecting them safely?" Collecting eggs is always fun, but let’s be real—there are days when life gets in the way and I can’t make it out to the coop. So, how long can eggs stay in the coop and still be safe to eat? W

Chickens are known for their quirky eating habits and foraging for interesting snacks right in your backyard. If you’re new to raising backyard chickens you might be wondering what’s safe for our feathered friends and what things might be harmful to them. I remember starting out thinking that the sharp eggshells would slice their throats or something. I was wrong! Can Chickens Eat Eggshells? Yes! Chickens actually enjoy eating eggshells and they are an incredible source of ca

When I first started raising backyard chickens, I didn’t think much about egg color. I was more focused on having healthy, fresh eggs for my family and raising friendly, docile chickens. But before long, I found myself dreaming of a colorful egg basket! I had no idea how many different colors of eggs chickens can lay. Today, let’s dive into the types of chickens that lay green eggs. And don’t worry, only the shell is green—no green eggs on the inside! Haha! The Variety of Chi

Chickens are absolutely incredible, and their ability to create and lay eggs is almost mind-blowing. Seriously, until we started raising backyard chickens, I didn’t put much thought into where our eggs came from. I would simply grab a couple dozen at the store and that was that. My egg rainbow didn’t extend outside of the classic white and brown egg until I started raising our flock. Now, I choose my new flock members because of their egg colors! There’s something so fulfilli

Eggs are undoubtedly among the healthiest and most nutritious foods on the planet. They are packed full of good nutrition to fuel our...

“Sweetie” the Silke from our first hatch. I remember when I started raising backyard chickens. I would've honestly never considered hatching chicks…until a couple of years ago. I decided if I were going to educate backyard chicken owners on every aspect of raising backyard chickens, hatching chicks would be a fun thing to try! I had always wanted Silkies, so I ordered a dozen hatching eggs from Alabama Silkies. I had done my research on all the things I needed for hatching ch

This week’s blog is going to be very practical. And maybe it’s something you haven’t thought of before because it seems too simple. We’re going to talk about how to store our fresh eggs. But before you stop reading, I promise you this is really interesting stuff! Farm Fresh Eggs vs. Store Bought Eggs When you go to the grocery store and buy eggs, most people don’t know that those eggs can be a couple of months old already by the time you buy them. Grocery store eggs are highe

This week we’re going to have a little fun! Growing up, I loved science fair projects. They were an awesome time to learn something new,...

When raising backyard chickens, it’s important to know some basics on their anatomy and the function for each part. This way you can keep close tabs on your flocks’ health and notice any changes that might signal a problem. Chickens are gorgeous birds and were created so well. When you sit and really think about the process a chicken goes through to lay their egg, it’s astounding! Today we’re going to be talking about the basic anatomy of a chicken. You can always do a deep d

If you brought chicks home this spring, and if they haven’t started laying, they will soon! There’s nothing much better than collecting...

Spring is finally here! We’ve been busy in our yard and gardens, getting everything ready for the growing season. Do you enjoy gardening too? Our go-to petunias are already in their pots, our flower beds are full of beautiful blooms, and our food garden is prepped and ready to plant. Why Gardening with Chickens is Even Better Gardening is rewarding on its own, but when you garden with chickens , it’s even more fun! Our chicken run is separated from the garden by a fence, but

Easter Eggers are defined by their poofy cheeks and beard. When we started our most recent flock, I started with all brown egg layers. I...

Reba and Barbara Jean - 2 of my Buff Brahma Bantams Today we’re going to talk about one of my favorite breeds. Who am I kidding! I feel...

Get ready for the ultimate matchup in the egg world: duck egg vs. chicken egg! Are you team chicken or team duck? We’ve raised both on...

Why is Feeding Oyster Shells to Chickens so Important? For an adult hen who is laying eggs, calcium is pulled from the hen’s body to...

Raising backyard chickens is my favorite hobby in the entire world! I realize that’s dramatic, but I’m being serious. Spending time with...

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