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How to Find Baby Chicks
I have acquired chicks many different ways throughout the years. My favorite ways are to hatch your own or order chicks online. Baby chicks are fragile. If they don’t get proper care asap after hatching they may not survive. It’s also important for most backyard chicken keepers to get sexed chicks. Meaning, all females. Acquiring Baby Chicks: Feed store/Hardware store. This is my least favorite way. The chicks at feed stores are sometimes up to a week or two old when you buy them. You have no idea how they have been treated or what they’ve eaten. They are often mislabeled and you really don’t know at all what breed…
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Chicken Keeping | The Dusty, Smelly Truth
Hi there! So you’ve been searching on Pinterest and the idea of keeping backyard chickens looks so fun. It seems so picturesque and wholesome. You’ve seen the pics of kids holding chickens and collecting eggs and it seems like something you really want to do. Sound familiar? Well, I have a few things to discuss that may change your mind. But maybe not! As your trusted guide, I feel it necessary to share some of the not-so-pleasant facts about raising chickens. Keep reading for Chicken Keeping | The Dusty, Smelly Truth: READ>> Chicken Keeping Basics | How to Get Started Raising Backyard Chickens Dust Chickens are dirty! They scratch in…
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Is Raising Backyard Chickens for me?
The Benefits of Raising Chickens: So you want to be a backyard chicken keeper? Welcome! You’ve come to the right place! My name is Rebecca and I’ve been a backyard chicken keeper for 9 years. I have had many chickens over that time and have lots of experience to share. Our chickens are more like pets to us; pets with a purpose. They all have names (most named after Downton Abbey characters!) and they all have personalities that charm and surprise us. I had another chicken keeper tell me NEVER to name my chickens because my kids will get attached to them and chickens die all the time. Well,…
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How to Grow Chicken Grass Window Boxes: My chickens favorite treat!
Growing chicken grass in window boxes for your chickens is super easy and a very healthy treat for them. See below for step by step instructions on how to grow chicken grass for your flock. If you love my chicken coop be sure to check out my article on Chicken Coop Construction: How to Build a Predator Proof Chicken Coop Step 1: Build a shelf for your chicken grass window boxes Many animals around your coop will be attracted to the seeds and will dig in the window boxes. Including your chickens if they free range. Keeping them on the ground will not work! I have had much better luck…
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20 MUST HAVE Products for Chicken Keepers
In this article you will find the TOP 20 MUST HAVE Products for Chicken Keepers. I have personally used all of these products and highly recommend them for anyone with a flock of backyard chickens. DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you. #1 Brinsea Incubator This little incubator is a rockstar. I have had 100% hatch rates every time I use it. I order hatching eggs from My Pet Chicken and my kids and I have an educational home hatch. Excellent remote learning/homeschooling activity! #2 Brinsea Egg Candler…
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Chicken Checklist, FREE download
Are you a new chicken keeper and not sure where to start? I got you! Sign up below for instant access!! FREE checklist to help you prepare for your first flock of baby chicks! The checklist is broken down into timeframes so you know exactly what you need when. A MUST have for new chicken keepers! Also, be sure to check out my other articles with instructions on how to: Build an Automatic Chicken Feeder Build a DIY Chick Brooder Build a Chicken Feed Storage Container The research about baby chicks can be overwhelming! Use my chicken checklist for a simpler setup. end post: Rebecca Beauchemin
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3 Steps to Prepare for Your First Baby Chicks
Please enjoy this simple checklist: 3 steps to prepare for your first baby chicks. #1, Chicks Need a Brooder The first thing you need is a safe Brooder. Check out my post for a step by step tutorial. DIY Chick Brooder #2, Chicks Need a Heat Source Baby chicks need warmth. I am a firm opponent of heat lamps. There are countless cases of fires due to heat lamps. Instead I highly recommend the Brinsea Ecoglow Brooder #3, Chicks Need Clean Food and Water Baby chicks are messy! They poop a lot. They walk in their food and water constantly. Setting them up with clean food and water is important.…
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Hawk attack!
We have many predators in our area including fox, coyote, racoons, and even the occasional bear. But we have never had any issues with them interacting with our chickens until 2 days ago. The attack: Last Saturday was my sons 6th birthday party and as the festivities died down it happened. A red-tailed hawk attacked our chickens. My husband and sister-in-law were standing 5 feet from where the attack took place. They scared the hawk away and they both started picking up chickens and running back to the coop. I ran outside and grabbed two chickens that had taken shelter near the back door. As I ran through the yard…
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Breakfast for Chickens | Decrease in Egg Production
December came, the days got shorter and my hens all stopped laying! It happened overnight and I was horrified that I would have to buy STORE BOUGHT eggs. Luckily my superstars — Sybil and Rosie — continued to lay. But I was lucky to get one egg a day which would not do! Every morning I eat two so I decided I had to do something. I did 2 very simple things and it’s February 4th and I collected 6 eggs today! All it took was Breakfast for Chickens and supplemental light! #1, I provided them a bit of supplemental light in the morning. I use a Christmas light tube…
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Chicken Breeds & Egg Color
There’s a lot to research as a new chicken keeper. Chicken breeds and egg color will be discussed below. When I chose the breeds of chicken that I wanted to raise many factors came into play. My top priorities: Cold/winter tolerant Temperament and friendliness Rate of egg laying (at least 4-5/wk) Egg color (I wanted a colorful egg basket) It was also important they all look different so my kids could tell them apart easily. Our chickens are more like pets to us; pets with a purpose. They all have names (most named after Downton Abbey characters!) and they all have personalities that charm and surprise us. I had another…
