Backyard Fowl Keepers

If you don't mind a longer grow-out time, heritage breeds like Delawares or Orpingtons work well. They won't grow as fast but can free-range effectively.

The way the eggs were eaten sounds like a possum's work, but the rooster? That's a classic raccoon or mink move. You may have multiple predators visiting.

One thing I've found super helpful is using a digital thermometer with a probe inside the brooder. It lets me monitor both heat and humidity levels without disturbing the chicks. I keep one side of the brooder warm with a heat plate and the other cooler. I also wrap the lower half with plastic ...

Hey everyone! Im building a small chicken coop for a flock of about 6-8 hens, and I want to make sure its easy to keep clean. Ive heard that having good cleaning access is super important, but Im not sure how big the access points should be.

How large should the doors or openings be to make ...

Hi everyone! Im building my first chicken coop, and Im trying to figure out how many nesting boxes I should include. Ive read different recommendations, and I dont want to end up with too few or too many. Right now, Im planning for a flock of about 10-12 hens, but I might add a few more down the ...

Have you tried fermenting only one type of feed at a time? Sometimes chickens dislike certain textures or flavors in mixed fermented feeds.

I've used grass clippings in the past, but they tend to form a dense, compact layer, making it hard for droppings to dry. Mixing them with straw or dry leaves helps with aeration. Also, avoid clippings from treated lawns, as chemicals could harm your flock.

Some farmers use wastewater duckweed as livestock feed, but they typically test the water quality first. If you really want to use it, consider testing for contaminants.

I've had similar experiences. The ammonia smell means the manure is fresh and might be too “hot” for plants. I would suggest you wait a while and see if the plants adjust, but in the future, try applying smaller amounts and composting it longer before use.

Hi everyone,

I have a few eggs I want to incubate, but Im not sure about the best way to store them before setting them in the incubator. How long can you leave the eggs out at room temperature before putting them in the incubator? And when setting the eggs, what temperature should they be at ...