Annie
The Best Eggshell Crafts
Spring is so close here in Minnesota, we can almost feel it! It’s been a long winter here, and we're looking forward to warmer days. With...
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Annie
- Mar 22
- 3 min
All About the Lavender Orpington Breed
I remember the first day Rosie came to our house. I had been doing some research on different breeds to figure out which ones I was going...
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Annie
- Mar 15
- 1 min
Irish Taco Recipe
You guys are going to want to get your grocery lists out! I’m serious. I just made some incredible Irish tacos and you’re going to want...
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Annie
- Mar 8
- 3 min
Treating Pasty Butt
It’s baby chick season! I can already almost hear the sweet little peeps when walking into our local farm supply store. And honestly? Is...
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Annie
- Mar 2
- 3 min
What is Marek's Disease?
Have you ever heard of Marek's Disease? If not, today is your lucky day! You'll learn all about the causes, if it’s treatable and how to...
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Annie
- Feb 22
- 4 min
The Baby Chick Success Guide
We are kicking off this week with a giant, possibly record-breaking snowstorm here in Minnesota. Yikes! However, the good news is that...
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Annie
- Feb 15
- 2 min
The Best Crème Brûlée Recipe
We recently went to our friend's house for a fancy dinner. It was so much fun! And can you believe it, when it was time for dessert, they...
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Annie
- Feb 10
- 2 min
Can I Use Straw in My Chicken Coop?
For many years I have used pine shavings in my brooders and coop while raising backyard chickens. There are a few different bedding...
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Annie
- Feb 1
- 3 min
How Strong is an Eggshell?
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,...
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Annie
- Jan 25
- 3 min
Chicken Coop Lighting in the Winter
It’s January and I don’t know about you, but me and the girls are feeling this long winter month! While it’s been absolutely gorgeous...
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Annie
- Jan 19
- 2 min
All About the Mystic Onyx Breed
Photo Credit: Hoover’s Hatchery The Mystic Onyx breed was originally developed by Hoover’s Hatchery in very recent years. Their beautiful...
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Annie
- Jan 4
- 3 min
How to Tell Your Chickens Apart
If you’re new to raising backyard chickens, you may think I’m a bit crazy. However, if you’ve been doing this for a while, you will...
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Strong Animals Team
- Jan 3
- 2 min
How to Build a Winter Dust Bath for Your Chickens
Have you ever seen chickens rolling around in the dirt? That’s known as a dust bath, and it helps chickens keep their feathers clean and...
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Annie
- Dec 29, 2022
- 2 min
3 Healthy Breakfast Ideas for the New Year
It’s the day after Christmas and I’m sitting here thinking I’ve probably eaten one too many cookies. Yikes! While we try to eat as...
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Annie
- Dec 21, 2022
- 1 min
Annie’s Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipe
It’s the week of Christmas and if you’re like me, there’s a present to be wrapped, a gift to be bought or a cookie to be made! I’m...
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Annie
- Dec 13, 2022
- 2 min
Is it Safe to Put a Christmas Tree in My Coop?
Photo Cred: Pinterest Decorating for Christmas is a family favorite around here. Naturally, with my love for chickens, this would carry...
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Annie
- Dec 7, 2022
- 2 min
All About the Cream Legbar Breed
It’s December and you know what that means, right? Some people are Christmas shopping, some people are busy planning their gardens and...
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Annie
- Nov 30, 2022
- 1 min
4 Ways to Decorate Your Coop for Christmas
We are counting down the days to Christmas here! We’ve had our first big snowfall and while my chickens don’t love the snow, it sure is...
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Annie
- Nov 22, 2022
- 2 min
What Thanksgiving Leftovers Are Safe to Feed My Chickens?
Do you know what the 10 most popular Thanksgiving dishes are? I had my suspicions and after a quick internet search, I am happy to say I...
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Annie
- Nov 16, 2022
- 2 min
All About the Olive Egger Breed
When I first started raising backyard chickens, I didn’t really think about egg colors. I just pictured going out to the coop and...
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Annie
- Nov 9, 2022
- 2 min
Prebiotics & Probiotics for Chickens
Raising backyard chickens doesn’t take a lot of extra work, and when it comes to nutrition, they pretty much eat anything you give them....
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Annie
- Nov 2, 2022
- 2 min
A Taste of Fall
Fall is a cozy time of year full of baked treats, pumpkin spice lattes and rich foods. While we love all these things at our house,...
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Annie
- Oct 27, 2022
- 2 min
Feeding Your Chickens Pumpkins for a Fall Treat
Have you seen the latest craze? People everywhere are feeding their chickens pumpkins! It’s a challenge to see if your flock can carve a...
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Annie
- Oct 13, 2022
- 3 min
6 Ideas for Decorating Pumpkins
Don’t you just love having lots of pumpkins around in the fall. They are a great way to decorate an indoor or outdoor space to get you in...
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Strong Animals Team
- Oct 6, 2022
- 3 min
Molting Chickens? Here’s How to Help
You walk into your backyard and it looks like your chickens went on an intense weight loss journey. Feathers are everywhere and your hens...
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Annie
- Oct 4, 2022
- 3 min
Common Essential Oil Blends for Humans
It’s October! And around here, that usually means the start of cold and flu season. Most people run right for the DayQuil, and we do too...
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Annie
- Sep 29, 2022
- 2 min
The Best Chicken Breeds for Kids
You should know by now that chickens are a huge part of our family’s life! Mainly by my choice (haha!), but my family goes along with my...
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Annie
- Sep 21, 2022
- 2 min
All About the Barred Plymouth Rock Breed
I am so excited to write this blog! The Barred Plymouth Rock breed is among my favorite breeds of chickens. They are so great! It also...
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Annie
- Sep 15, 2022
- 2 min
Decorating Your Coop For Fall
Fall is absolutely my favorite time of year. Our wedding anniversary and my birthday are in the fall. And it’s Happy’s birthday too! We...
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Annie
- Sep 8, 2022
- 2 min
Back to School Bento Box Lunches
The day is finally here. We’ve been working towards this day from the time he started preschool. Our oldest is off to his senior year of...
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Annie
- Aug 31, 2022
- 2 min
Infused Water for Labor Day
I cannot believe it’s the end of summer. Where in the world did it go? I always believed people who told me that the time with our kids...
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Annie
- Aug 24, 2022
- 4 min
Chicken Anatomy 101
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...
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Annie
- Aug 19, 2022
- 3 min
Benefits of Tea Tree & Lavender Essential Oils
This week we’re going to talk about the benefits of tea tree and lavender essential oils for your chickens. We use both lavender and tea...
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Annie
- Aug 11, 2022
- 3 min
Benefits of Lemongrass & Eucalyptus Essential Oils in Chicken Coops
If you’ve been around here long enough, it’s no secret that Coop Recuperate is hands down my favorite product for our coop bedding. Part...
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Annie
- Aug 4, 2022
- 3 min
Too Many Tomatoes? 5 Recipes to Use Them Up
The cicadas are singing, the nights and mornings are getting cooler and the feeling of fall is almost upon us. If you've been around here...
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Annie
- Jul 28, 2022
- 2 min
All About the Barnevelder Breed
I remember when I first started out with chickens. I really didn’t pay much attention to breeds; I just wanted the eggs for our family....
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Annie
- Jul 20, 2022
- 2 min
How to Identify a Dehydrated Chicken
We are in a heat wave here…along with most of the country. It’s mid July and there’s no break in sight. As you know, a chicken’s feathers...
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Annie
- Jul 14, 2022
- 3 min
Egg Bound Hens…What to Do?
If you brought chicks home this spring, and if they haven’t started laying, they will soon! There’s nothing much better than collecting...
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Annie
- Jul 8, 2022
- 2 min
DIY Mason Jar Laterns
One of the things we love most about summertime is all the outdoor entertaining we get to do. We live on an acreage, in a valley, with a...
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Annie
- Jun 29, 2022
- 2 min
Gramma’s Famous Potato Salad
I have awesome memories of the 4th of July. We love to celebrate our country’s freedom and all that goes along with it. Summertime food...
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Annie
- Jun 23, 2022
- 3 min
The Best Tips for Handling a Broody Hen
As the heat turns up, so will the broodiness in some of your hens. The warm temperatures will sometimes encourage this behavior. If you...
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Annie
- Jun 17, 2022
- 2 min
5 Ways to Spice Up Your Egg Sandwich
Egg sandwiches are a staple around our house. I make them on a very regular basis and while we gravitate towards the simple egg and...
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Annie
- Jun 9, 2022
- 2 min
Chicken Chore Chart for Kids
One of the perks of raising backyard chickens is teaching our kids responsibility. There’s nothing more cute, fluffy and fun than baby...
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Annie
- Jun 2, 2022
- 2 min
Benefits of Chicken Compost For My Garden
Garden season is in full swing and we are so excited! Gardening has always been a big part of our family and raising backyard chickens...
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Annie
- May 25, 2022
- 2 min
Memorial Day Hot Dog Bar
We are cruising through the last week of school around here and we’re getting the itch to do all the things outside! Historically,...
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Annie
- May 18, 2022
- 2 min
Benefits of Marigolds for Chickens
It’s finally spring! We have been busy out in our yard and gardens. Do you like to garden? We have our go-to petunias already in their...
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Annie
- May 12, 2022
- 3 min
Why Is My Chicken Limping?
I think we can all agree that our chickens are very valuable to us. Whether they are simply a way for you to get fresh eggs, or if...
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Annie
- May 4, 2022
- 2 min
Chicken Boo-Boos Be Gone!
As you know, keeping a first aid kit on hand for your coop is essential to raising backyard chickens. While boo-boos don’t happen all...
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Annie
- Apr 28, 2022
- 3 min
How to Use Eggshells For Your Garden
I had the pleasure of growing up in a family that understood the rich benefits of growing our own food. We didn’t have any farm animals,...
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Annie
- Apr 21, 2022
- 3 min
All You Need to Know About Dogs and Chickens
We have an interesting situation at our house. Our family raises backyard chickens and Labrador Retrievers. If you know anything about...
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