Backyard Fowl Keepers

We all know chickens and ducks help with pest control and provide great fertilizer but have you noticed any surprising perks from having them around your garden? Maybe theyve improved your soil in unexpected ways, kept certain weeds in check, or even changed how you approach your planting?

For me ...

I accidentally left a big container of black fly larvae in the garage without the lid on, and one of my chickens found it and knocked it over. Now, all 14 chickens and the turkey ate almost the entire thing! Im not sure if thats a problem or if itll affect them. Has anyone had a situation like ...

I cant wait for my upcoming spring hatchdefinitely need something to look forward to during this long, cold winter!

Ive ordered:
- 8 Cream Legbars (breeder specializes in cream, but also has some opal and crele lines)
- 6 Mosaics
- 5 Swedish Flower Hens
- 7 Marans (could be black, blue, or ...

Your compost should be fine as long as you layer it properly. The straw is slow to break down, so chopping it or mixing in shredded leaves can help. As for letting chickens into the garden, I let mine in after harvest, and they do a great job without harming next season's soil.

Marans lay rich, chocolate-colored eggs and tend to do well in cooler weather. If you want some fun colors, mix them with a few Easter Eggers or Legbars!

For over two years, my flock has reliably put themselves to bed in their coop each night, guided by an automatic door. The coop is attached to their run, and theyve never had any issuesuntil recently.

A couple of weeks ago, I started noticing them already in the run when I came out in the morning ...

For deep litter, I added a second layer of bedding after a few weeks, and that kept it from getting too messy. If your chicks are picky, you could try experimenting with different bedding materials, like pine shavings or straw. Vinegar works well for cleaning and doesn't pose a risk to your chickens ...

It's more likely that she's broody than cold. Broody hens tend to isolate themselves and sometimes refuse to roost, even in cooler temperatures. It's a good idea to use the heat plate once it gets colder, but I wouldn't worry too much unless she's showing signs of being unwell. If she's comfortable ...

If you're set on bantams, consider Silkies, Sebrights, or Cochin Bantams. They're often more docile than breeds like Dutch or Old English Game Bantams. Silkies, in particular, are known for their sweet nature, while Cochin Bantams have a fluffy, round appearance and love human interaction. Sebrights ...

A runny but normally colored poop could indicate stress, diet issues, or even mild intestinal trouble. You might want to add some probiotics or electrolytes to her water to support digestion.