There really could not have been a worse scenario for the first death we experienced in our backyard flock. Prior to owning chickens, I had read and understood the risks – the fact that just about everything eats chicken, that predators fall from the sky, come creeping out from behind every...
There's that question!! It's at the end of every order for chicks purchased from a hatchery, and even from some small hobby farms. The Marek's vaccination? Should I get it? What, exactly, is it? Do my chicks really need it? Will it harm them? Why do I have to decide before I get my chicks...
A quick disclaimer: Please research your county/city ordinances and all applicable tax codes before creating your own backyard sales plan.
Every year, they pop up like little beacons of an early spring - you've seen them, in fact, you may even own one: a fold-out sign advertising that your hens...
"Hey, Kathy, I'm in the feed store - can you hear them in the background? Here, listen..... they just got a shipment of chicks! They're so cute!"
"No. No, we are not getting chickens."
"We still have the coop - it probably just needs cleaned up and repaired a little."
"No! When would we...
It's an art! It's a science! Haha, I'd say it's about 90% just plain luck!
Here is a short photo journal of attempting to get our NYD hatch of Bielefelders to take a perfect photo!
1. Pick the perfect backdrop - ah yes, New Years calls for sparkles, candles and - what the heck, throw some...
It had been a long day. It began at 1a.m. with the sound of a new baby - a lone, first baby in the incubator. You know, that particular cry that seems to say, "I'm wet, I'm tired! I want my mamma!!!!" It's such a heartbreaking sight to watch that first little hatchling wander around the...
Our sweet neighbor said it correctly, "You know, when you name a chicken "Bratt," you will probably have some trouble with her!"
Let's back up and put that statement into context. At the moment it was made, I was desperately trying to herd this not-so-little Speckled Sussex pullet off our...