Homestead

One of the best things about keeping chickens for meat is that you can feel confident that the end product was ethically produced. There is also no doubt that homegrown birds taste better. Raising your meat chickens may seem like a no-brainer if you have the space, but is the result worth the effort and…

When it comes to colorful bursts of tropical flavors, it is hard to beat the delightful deep orange color and creamy goodness of ripe papayas. Juicy, delicious, and packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, the fleshy fruits are readily available and an excellent addition to your chicken’s menu. Papaya is a chicken superfruit that can…

Chickens are omnivores requiring a mix of plant and meat materials to ensure optimum health. Cats are carnivores and demand a diet rich in meat-based proteins. Although the two animals have different nutritional requirements, can chickens eat cat food? Chickens can eat cat food as an occasional treat. Cat food that adheres to nutrient profiles…

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but there are some chicken breeds with features that even a mother would find hard to love. There are chickens with everything, from giant feet and disproportionate bodies to birds that resemble walking plucked roasts. Nature has a great sense of humor and has provided an…

Zucchini is considered a vegetable by many, although it’s classified as a fruit in botanical terms. Whether you want to call it a fruit or vegetable, it packs a healthy amount of nutrients. Zucchini is a summer squash that features in many a human diet. Poultry owners may wonder, can chickens eat zucchini? Chickens can…

The nutritional benefits derived from honey are well-known and documented. A team of busy bees produces the golden ooze, and we have been farming and consuming honey for thousands of years. Regarding chicken treats, can chickens eat honey? Chickens can eat honey as it contains a healthy mix of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids,…

With correct planning, it is entirely possible to keep a chicken coop warm without electricity, even in the coldest climates. Many chicken breeds can tolerate cold conditions well, but they appreciate a snug coop and need protection from icy drafts. Although moving your entire chicken coop to a more protected position may not be possible,…

Most chicken keepers are amazed that such tiny hen bodies can produce comparatively enormous eggs. Since responsible poultry owners care about the well-being and comfort of their animals, it is natural to wonder if laying eggs is painful for chickens. Laying eggs is not painful to chickens and is an entirely natural process. A hen…

Tuna is a healthy source of nutrition for humans and animals alike, with moderation being the keyword when adding nutritional fish to a balanced diet. We know chickens can eat all sorts of food, but can chickens eat tuna? Chickens can eat tuna as it is a healthy source of protein, numerous vitamins, and essential…

Like many delicious treats, mangoes have an upside and a downside. The upside is that tropical fruits are irresistibly tasty and packed with an array of vitamins and minerals. The downside is they contain high amounts of sugar and very little protein. This leaves many poultry owners wondering if it is safe for chickens to…

Grapes are often called nature’s candy because they are delightfully sweet, plump balls of juiciness that come in various colors. Since it is common knowledge that grapes are unsafe for dogs and cats, poultry owners may be concerned that the same holds true for chickens. Chickens can eat grapes, and grapes are a good source…

While you will probably never see a chicken fishing, there is no doubt that they love everything about eating fish! Avid anglers may be delighted to know that they can share their annual quota and offcuts with their flock and that fish has a lot of health benefits for chickens. Chickens can eat fish, and…

Cherry fruit, derived from different plants of the Prunus genus, is a firm favorite in many desserts and baked treats such as cherry pie. With over 1,000 different cherry varieties in the United States, millions of people love this little red or black fruit. Can chickens eat cherries? Chickens can eat cherries as they are…

You might not know when looking at celery that it’s related to carrots or parsnips. These vegetables form part of the family Apiaceae, known as the parsley family, and celery was used in ancient medicine by the Chinese and for flavor by ancient Greeks. Today, we use it in various dishes. Can chickens eat celery?…

Many chicken owners think ventilation in a chicken coop is only important during the hot summer months. However, as the mercury drops, the need for proper air circulation and vents inside the coop becomes even more critical. Designing a coop with adequate ventilation is about keeping the air inside the coop fresh, dry, and healthy…

Chickens come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny bantams to plus-sized Jersey Giants. Owing to their spectacular size, owning a flock of giants can be an exciting experience. Although they are gargantuan compared to most other breeds, their docile temperaments make them ideal for families with young children. Jersey Giant chickens are the biggest…

The idiom, as rare as hen’s teeth, means something is extremely rare or nonexistent. Humans and many other animals have teeth to grind food before swallowing, but what if you only have a beak? Many birds and some reptiles have devised an ingenious system to grind their food inside their stomachs, but for the process…

Chicken terminology is unique. While we refer to portions of poultry as legs, thighs, or breasts, we never speak about sheep thighs or pork breasts! So, if chickens have breasts, it is natural to wonder if they also have nipples. Even though they share the same terminology, chicken and mammal breasts are entirely different, and…

While your chickens will never send you a Valentine’s card or sing love songs, there is no doubt that our feathered flock is an affectionate bunch. Chickens spend their days socializing with each other and often become comically excited when they spot their owners approaching. This can leave poultry owners wondering if they are just…

Chickens have a healthy appetite overall and love plant- and meat-based foods. If you are wondering if chickens can eat sardines, you only need to look at the nutritional benefits of the small oily fish. What type of sardines you feed your chickens is important, as not all sardines will be a healthy treat for…

Few things are more delicious than feasting on ripe raspberries. This prolific summer fruit is packed with goodness. Raspberry bushes frequently produce more than enough to share, and since they have a very short shelf life, it is natural to wonder if your chickens can enjoy a share of the juicy red bounty. Chickens can…

Chickens can eat both cooked and uncooked pasta and enjoy Italian-inspired noodles very much. It is better to serve pasta to chickens as an occasional treat to the chicken flock as it contains lots of carbohydrates which can cause obesity and heart problems when eaten daily. Depending on the type of pasta, how it’s prepared,…

Chickens eat almost anything you feed them and have a healthy relationship with various food sources. Not all food types are good for them, so stay clear of feeding them things like avocados and raw potatoes with green skins. When it comes to condiments, can chickens eat mayonnaise? Chickens can technically consume mayonnaise in small…

Since 1941, Cheerios has been the staple breakfast food for many American families. The popular oat-fueled O’s are available in delicious flavors such as cinnamon, vanilla, blueberry, honey and almond, and pumpkin spice. Humans love it, but can chickens eat Cheerios? Chickens can eat original Cheerios, made primarily from whole grain oats and packed with…

Adding some toys to your chicken coop can make a massive difference to your flock’s general health and overall happiness. Challenging poultry behavior, including egg eating, feather plucking, and fighting, can often be eliminated by making the coop an interesting place for your hens to spend their time. Toys for chicken coops should relieve boredom…

Easter only comes around once a year, but by adding a few olive egger chickens to your flock, you can enjoy collecting gorgeous, olive-colored eggs all year round. Olive eggers are less well known than their relatives, the easter eggers, but their pale green-shelled eggs are equally sought after in egg baskets. Olive eggers can…

Chickens are a prime food source for many a predator, and poultry owners often have their hands full at ground level trying to keep foxes, raccoons, coyotes, and opossums from getting their paws on the flock. Flock owners must also be wary of predatory attacks from the sky. Here is how to protect chickens from…

Chickens have a tendency to try any food source you place in front of them. Being omnivores, chickens eat a wide variety of food types. Nuts are a particular favorite of our feathery friends, and the right ones are an excellent source of nutrition when added to a commercial feed diet. Can chickens eat pecans?…

Chickens are omnivores and enjoy plant-based foods as well as protein-filled meat. For some owners, feeding chickens to chickens is an uncomfortable concept, while others willingly engage in the practice. Makes you wonder, can chickens eat chicken? Scientifically speaking, chickens can eat chicken. However, in some countries, such as Australia, you are not allowed to…

Chickens are omnivores and eagerly consume most types of food that are on offer, including cheese. Since processed dairy snacks like cheese aren’t usually on any bird’s menu, it is natural to be cautious about feeding them to your chickens. While cheese has some health benefits, not all types of cheese are the same, and…

Chickens pecking each other to death isn’t something reserved for the horrendous practice of cock fighting. Even a coop full of sweet little Henny Penny types may kill other chickens in certain conditions. So why do chickens attack each other, sometimes to the death? Chickens may kill each other for many reasons, including during the…

The story of the wily old fox and his love for the chicken coop is a tale as old as time. Foxes love chickens, but the feeling is not mutual. To protect your feathery friends from disappearing, you must be proactive in your efforts to secure their coop. Here’s how to fox-proof a chicken coop….

No one knows whether the chicken or the egg came first, but we do know that eggshells are a superfood for laying hens. Saving and recycling your hens’ own eggshells is a natural and inexpensive way to provide additional calcium for the hens in your flock. Chickens can eat eggshells, and they are a valuable…

You might have been surprised to discover that birds are actually descendants of dinosaurs. They have evolved for millions of years from the earliest dinosaur species and have survived because of their ability to fly and search for food all over the world. Does this also include chickens? Are Chickens Dinosaurs? Chickens are not dinosaurs….

Black chickens with feathers on their feet are known for their striking black plumage and the interesting feathers that they have on their feet. These hens are also well-known for their hardiness, broodiness, and their ability to lay eggs. Popular Breeds Of Black Chickens With Feathers On Their Feet Numerous breeds of chickens exhibit these…

If you have backyard chickens and let them free-roam, you might find that they come onto your porch. This can be a problem for a number of reasons. If your porch is made of wood, the chickens may scratch and peck at the wood, and this could damage it. They will also leave droppings, which…

Cleaning a chicken coop is not that difficult if you stick to a regular schedule and understand the importance of keeping the coop nice and clean for the benefit of your chickens and their egg production. Here are some instructions on how to clean a chicken coop. Set Up A Cleaning Schedule To make your…

Keeping your chicken coop nice and clean is of paramount importance because it means your chickens will be healthy and happy. A clean coop is also less likely to attract rodents and other pests and diseases. So, how often should you clean a chicken coop? How Often To Clean A Chicken Coop? While there is…

When deciding which treats to feed your chickens aside from the pellets that you give them, you might be wondering whether chickens can eat apples. Can Chickens Eat Apples? The good news is that chickens can eat apples, and these are actually quite nutritious for them as long as you don’t feed them too many….

When you have an oversupply of certain fruits and vegetables, you might be searching for which of these are safe for your chickens to eat. During your search, you might ask whether chickens can eat beans. Can Chickens Eat Beans? It’s perfectly safe to feed beans to your chickens as long as they’re cooked. However,…

You might be looking at your fruit bowl and notice that one of the bananas has just ripened beyond the point you prefer to eat it. Rather than mashing it up to make banana bread, could you feed it to your chickens? Can Chickens Eat Bananas? Chickens can definitely eat bananas, and what’s more, you’ll…

People who raise backyard chickens are always looking for nutritious treats to give their chickens as a supplement to their regular diet. Have you wondered if chickens can eat watermelon? Is It Safe For Chickens To Eat Watermelons? Watermelon is perfectly fine to feed to your chickens. In fact, you might find that they actually…

If you plan to raise your own chickens, you’re going to need a chicken brooder. This is because newly hatched chicks are not able to control their body temperature within the first few weeks of their life and need to be kept warm. What Is A Chicken Brooder? A chicken brooder is a device or…

Are rats getting into your chicken coop? If the answer is yes, you really need to address this issue because rats can pose a danger to your chickens and their overall health and the health of the coop as a whole. Plus, rats can also pose a risk to any humans that are constantly entering…

If you’re planning to get some backyard chickens so that they can provide you with lovely fresh eggs on a daily basis, you’ll need to first set up your chicken coop and then decide whether you’re going to let them roam around your garden during the day or whether you also need to build a…

Whether you have chickens for laying eggs or meat production, it’s important to keep an eye on their weight. Knowing how much each breed of chicken should weigh helps you to estimate how much feed it’s going to need and also spot any possible illnesses or diseases within your flock. Of course, the average weight…

When it comes time to raise some backyard chickens for the first time or to add to your flock, you may come across the term “straight run chickens” as you’re perusing some chicks for sale. Straight run chickens are chicks that have not yet been sexed to determine whether they’re male or female. This means…

If you’re building your first chicken coop, you’ll want to know everything that you should put inside the coop to keep your chickens happy and healthy. It’s essential that your coop contains all the necessary items so that your hens will be content and continue laying eggs for you. Essential items inside the coop include…

With the rising cost of living right around the globe, many people are turning to produce more of their own food at home in any way that they can. This often includes a backyard veggie patch, perhaps some fruit trees, a potted herb garden, and even investing in some backyard chickens. After all, eggs are…

If you’re new to raising chickens, you’re going to have a few questions about their behavior, how to care for them, and what you should feed them. One of those questions might include when you should expect them to start laying eggs. Generally, chickens will come into lay at around 6 months of age. However,…

If you’re considering raising backyard chickens so that you can enjoy the scrumptious eggs that they’re going to lay for you, you’ll want to invest in a decent chicken coop. This will keep your hens safe and give them a beautiful home where they feel comfortable and happy. So, what are the secrets to a…

If you have backyard chickens, you are probably always looking for what you can and can’t feed them. To keep your chickens healthy, you want to give them a varied diet so that they lay lots of lovely eggs for you to collect. So, is it safe for chickens to eat tomatoes? Yes, it is…

A pulled pork butt has to be cooked over a low fire or on a slow grill for a considerable length of time in order for the meat to become tender enough so that it can be pulled apart with a pair of forks. But because you can’t see inside the butt to see whether…

There are numerous varieties of ghost peppers that you can grow. In general, the difference between the varieties is their color. There are red, orange, brown, dark green, white, yellow, or even peach-colored varieties. If you grow any one of these, you might be wondering when they are ready to be picked. Ghost peppers are…