Backyard Fowl Keepers

Sustainability meets nutrition! BSFL turns waste into premium feed, benefiting both chickens and the environment.

Im curious to hear from others who have experience with letting their chickens roam in the garden. I love the idea of them helping with pest control and soil aeration, but I also worry about potential downsides.

For those who allow their flock into the garden, have you found it to be more of a ...

I have a septic lagoon covered in duckweed, which I know is a great protein source. I've heard the top layer of water in a septic lagoon is relatively clean, but Im unsure if the duckweed is safe to feed to animals. My lagoon only receives overflow from a septic tank, and with just two people in ...

Some chicks are more social and will peep if they don't feel secure. Since it stops when you're around, I'd say it wants companionship. You could try placing a small stuffed animal in the brooder as a comfort object.

At this age, chicks rarely cause serious harm, but excessive aggression can lead to stress and injuries. Short-term isolation is fine, but prolonged separation could make reintegration harder.

I have a 3-year-old hen (not sure of the breed) who was healthy at the start of winter, but recently she has become very lethargic and barely moves. She has almost no appetite, and her crop stays empty all day unless I hand-feed her food and water.

Her poop is very runny but doesnt seem to have ...

I started with just 5, thinking that was the perfect number. Then my neighbor needed to rehome a few, so I took them in. Then I saw some beautiful breeds I just had to have. Now I have 20 and I don't even know how it happened! Chicken math is real, and it got me good.

I'd worry about chlorine fumes affecting the chicks. Maybe try adding a safe incubator disinfectant instead of altering the water?

You're doing an amazing job. For penicillin, it's available in some farm stores, but it depends on local regulations. Be sure to get the correct type for poultry and follow the instructions carefully. It may also help to use a topical ointment designed for poultry wounds, like Vetericyn. Make sure ...

I love that this reduces waste while improving your soil. Such a smart approach!