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.

Picture credit: Hoover's Hatchery If you’ve spent any time raising backyard chickens, you know how it starts. At first, you just want a few nice hens that lay eggs. Simple enough, right? Then suddenly you’re learning about different egg colors, feather patterns, personalities and before you know it… you’re planning your next  chicken addition. That’s exactly where I’m at. While scrolling through Hoover’s Hatchery (as one does), I came across a breed I hadn’t seriously conside

Picture credit: EurekAlert! If you’ve been around here long enough, you know I’m passionate about poultry and all things eggs. But I’m fairly sure I’ve never talked about quail or their cute, itty-bitty eggs. So today, we’re cracking into the similarities and differences between quail eggs and chicken eggs, and which one makes the most sense for everyday use. Eggs are a staple in many diets and a reliable source of high-quality protein. When it comes to choosing between chick

When it comes to eggs, not all are created equal. I never fully understood just how different they could be until I started raising my own backyard flock. Whether you’re making a quick weekday breakfast or baking something special, the difference between store-bought eggs and farm-fresh eggs really can show up on your plate. So let’s crack open this topic (sorry, I had to 😉). What Are Store-Bought Eggs? Store-bought eggs are what you’ll find at grocery stores and big-box ret

Happy New Year, everyone! January has a way of making us think about getting back to healthy habits, especially during these long Minnesota winter weeks when simple, hearty meals are a lifesaver. What if most of us make eating healthy more complicated than it needs to be? Nutritious food can still be fun, it’s really about moderation and saying no to the “good things” that keep us from our best. I’ve never been big on New Year’s resolutions, but I do see January as a clean sl

Picture credit: Hoover’s Hatchery Every so often, I come across a chicken breed that makes me pause and think, maybe someday . The Buckeye is one of those breeds for me! I don’t have them in my coop right now, but I’ve spent plenty of time reading about them and appreciating what they bring to the table for backyard chicken keepers. If you’re drawn to practical, hardy chickens with a good balance of eggs, personality and cold weather hardiness, the Buckeye is one worth gettin

Discover the family story behind Strong Animals Chicken Essentials made in the USA in Marshall, Minnesota, backed by science and family-owned for over 50 years.

I know what you’re thinking: “Really, Annie? A whole blog about toys and stocking stuffers for chickens?” And honestly, if you had asked me this back when I first started keeping chickens, I probably would’ve rolled my eyes right along with you! But stick with me, there’s a reason this little tradition has become one of my favorites. Why Winter Gifts Matter for Your Chickens Winter in Minnesota is long. Like… six-months-of-snow long. And when the weather keeps your flock indo

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! I’ve always loved this holiday, there’s something special about slowing down, gathering with family and friends and soaking up that feeling of gratitude. Recently, we had a friend visiting from South Africa who was excited for his very first Thanksgiving dinner… until he realized his flight home was three days before  the holiday. So, we did what any good Minnesota host would do, we cooked a full Thanksgiving meal early! And because stuffing almost n

Picture credit: Feathered Acres I still remember the day I fell down a Google rabbit hole searching for unique egg colors to diversify my egg basket. When I discovered black eggs, I was convinced someone was joking. But it led me straight to the beautiful Cayuga duck, a breed known for laying those stunning dark eggs. Now, I never ended up adding ducks to our flock (as much as the kids begged!), but I did learn a LOT about this fascinating waterfowl. And if you’re thinking ab

When the temperatures drop here in Minnesota, my family instantly switches into soup mode. But breakfast soup? I’ll admit, when someone challenged me to make a crockpot breakfast soup , my first reaction was, “That can’t be good.” I’m happy to report I was very wrong! This recipe turned out to be one of the easiest crockpot soups I’ve ever made. Throw it together the night before, wake up to a hearty, warm breakfast that tastes like a hug! It’s packed with potatoes, sausage,

Molting is a natural and essential part of a chicken’s life! It’s when they shed old feathers and grow new ones. Some hens molt lightly, while others go through a dramatic hard molt  where it looks like they exploded feathers everywhere. Either way, it can be stressful for both the flock and you but it’s completely normal! Because feathers are made mostly of protein, molting requires a lot  of energy. During this time, chickens often slow down or pause egg production as their

If you’ve ever seen my tiny chicken, Tinkerbell, you know why people stop and ask, “What kind of chicken is she?” Mini chickens, or bantam chickens, are quickly becoming a backyard favorite. They’re adorable, full of personality and perfect for people with smaller yards or urban setups. But what exactly are mini chickens, and are they right for you? What is a Mini Chicken? Mini chickens, also called bantams, are smaller versions of standard chicken breeds, or naturally small

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

Backyard chicken keepers are some of the most resourceful people out there. A quick search online will bring up countless opinions, recipes and debates on what to feed your chickens. If you’re considering making your own chicken feed, whether to save money or to know exactly what your flock is getting, there are a few important things to keep in mind! Why Nutrition Matters for Backyard Chickens One of the biggest keys to a healthy, productive flock is what goes into their fee

Have you ever noticed at the end of a long, lazy day of foraging that your chickens have a little bulge in their chest area? That’s their...

Picture credit: Hoover’s Hatchery Thinking of adding Wyandotte chickens to your backyard flock? These gorgeous birds are known for their...

Backyard chicken keepers love the little surprises their hens leave in the coop, and one of the most curious finds is the tiny “fairy...

Picture credit: What Molly Made It’s only the second week of school around here and if your family is anything like ours, you’re already...

Picture credit: Hoover’s Hatchery When you think of backyard chickens, popular breeds like Orpingtons , Barred Rocks , Leghorns or Rhode...

I live in Minnesota where the summers are long and hot, and the winters feel even longer! When I first started raising backyard chickens,...

I’ll never forget the first time I thought my hen, Coco, laid her first egg. I was so excited I told the whole internet about it… only to...

Raising happy, healthy chickens often starts with what you feed them. One increasingly popular practice among backyard chicken keepers is...

Picture Credit: Hoover's Hatchery If you’ve pursued pictures of beautiful chickens like I have, surely you’ve come across a Speckled...

When we think about chicken eggs, the first colors that come to mind are the familiar whites and browns. But the world of backyard...

We’re in the thick of summer and boy is it hot! The girls are constantly looking for shade and digging deep into the dirt to try and stay...

The internet is full of beautiful chicken coops, elegantly feathered chickens and chicken keepers who are followed around by sunbeams and gorgeous landscapes. And, while some of these things are absolutely beautiful and out there no doubt, raising backyard chickens isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. There are plenty of yucky things that can plague the coop and the feathered friends who live there. Today we’re going to look at the top three diseases that affect chickens today

Everyone loves a yard sprinkled with different colors and breeds of chickens. Well, at least people who love chickens do! Chickens come...

I remember walking out to check on the girls one hot summer day a few years back. I do regular health checks on my flock, so I...

If you’re not familiar with backyard chickens, you might not automatically know the difference between a hen and a rooster. It’s...

The internet is full of beautiful chickens in magazine-worthy coops. But let’s be real, chickens are barnyard animals, and barnyard...

I remember having big dreams of starting my own seedlings and saving a ton of money on our garden. While it can  be a rewarding and...

Picture credit: Hoover’s Hatchery I was flipping through the Hoover’s Hatchery catalog the other day when I spotted a breed I’ve had my...

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...

I was sitting in the chicken run last week watching my flock scratch around the dirt. It got me thinking about how fast they ate the...

It’s spring, and you know what that means! Backyard flocks are booming. Thanks to rising egg prices, baby chicks are flying off the...

Picture credit: Morning Chores The Delaware chicken breed is one of the most versatile and loved breeds for backyard chicken keepers....

Picture credit: Scratch cradle It’s spring, and for many backyard chicken keepers, that means one thing: new chicks! I usually order mine...

I must be in my maraschino cherry phase. I don’t drink Diet Coke very often, but when I do, I always add a few maraschino cherries. Not...

Every spring, I get the itch to add to my backyard flock! All it takes is one peek over the edge of the chick brooders at our local farm...

Everyone stop what you’re doing! I am SO excited to share this super simple homemade mayonnaise recipe with you today. Why? Because it...

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...

It’s chick season! Whether you’re adding to your flock or just dreaming about new feathered friends, now is the perfect time to explore...

One of the most common questions I get is, “Can Chicken E-lixir be used for chicks?” The short answer? Yes! Today, we’ll dive into why...

Photo Credit: Magnolia Kitchen Last week, it was -15°F in Minnesota, and today it’s 50°F. That's a 65-degree swing! Only in the Midwest,...

Most people start raising backyard chickens for the fresh eggs, but they quickly realize their hens become beloved pets, too. It’s truly...

Introducing new chickens to an existing flock can be a tricky process, and how you do it matters! The integration phase  is crucial for...

There is nothing better than getting little chicks. I love listening to their tiny peeps and spend hours just observing their behaviors....

Raising backyard chickens is so rewarding and fulfilling ! There’s nothing better than watching your girls flock toward you or collecting...

Deworming chickens is an essential part of maintaining a healthy flock. Worm infestations can lead to weight loss, decreased egg...