Backyard Chickens

When I sat down to write this article, I didn’t start with research. To answer whether chickens are affectionate, I started with a memory. I was 14. I opened my back door and stepped out onto the porch. About 100 yards away, flapping and clucking. Then, a black and white ball of feathers flying straight … Read more

Every time you go out to the chicken pen, mosquitoes and other pests are swarming your flock. You want a way to keep the bugs off of your hens and roosters. And you find yourself asking: Is citronella safe for chickens? The short answer is yes. But there are a few things you should know … Read more

Most chicken owners encounter this at some point: You walk out into the yard and see a few of your hens lying on their sides in the sun. Sometimes, their wings are stretched out and their feathers puffed up You fear the worst. You think they’re sick or hurt. But they’re not. They’re just sunbathing. … Read more

Ice cream is a lovely treat. But not for chickens. No, chickens shouldn’t eat ice cream. But can chickens eat ice cream? Technically, yes. But it’s not a good idea.  Read on to learn more. The Dairy Problem The problem isn’t that chickens won’t eat ice cream. They certainly will. And they will probably enjoy … Read more

Did you know that Arizona is one of the best places for keeping chickens?  The Grand Canyon State enjoys ideal temperatures ideal for hatching and raising these feathered companions. If you’re like many beginners, that news makes you want to jump right in. Not so fast. You need to design or buy your coop. Plan … Read more

Everything is bigger in Texas — and that’s definitely true of the demand for backyard chickens.  Every year, countless Texans are turning their backyards into chicken habitats. And they’re reaping the rewards: eggs, meat and a wonderful hobby. As wonderful as it is, chicken-keeping isn’t a hobby you can just jump into unprepared. Especially in … Read more

Homeowners in Florida take pride in raising their chickens. If you want to become one of those backyard chicken enthusiasts, you’re going to need to do some preparation.  The good news: The conditions in Florida make it ideal for backyard chickens. The fact that most cities in Florida allow an unlimited number of chickens in … Read more

Chickens can eat summer squash. In fact, they love the stuff. Patty pan squash, green and yellow zucchini, cousa squash, crookneck squash — it’s all delicious to your hens and roosters. A garden favorite that often overproduces, squash is safe and healthy for chickens. No part of the plant is considered toxic to poultry. It’s … Read more

Squirrels are harmless. Until they start getting into your chicken coop. Then, you have a problem.  They’re eating food that’s not theirs. They’re making a mess and damaging things. They might even be eating eggs and hurting chicks. You can’t have that. And you don’t have to. Here’s how to keep squirrels out of a … Read more

“Can” is not the same as “should.” In other words: Chickens can eat graham crackers. Whether they should eat them is another story. If your pantry is like most people’s, there’s an old, stale box of graham crackers gathering dust somewhere in there. You may stumble upon it and think it’d be the perfect thing … Read more