Chickens Archives - Page 2 of 2

Diving into the forage mix

Ask Gardenerd: Growing Chicken Feed

Heads-up homesteaders, this Ask Gardenerd question is for you: "I want to start having my chickens eat things from the earth, than from the store. They are were born in April. I saw your video on YouTube about making that grass cover for them. Do you recommend compost piles and the turf for the chickens? Would you feed them other things as well? Or do you have resources that you think might get us in the right direction. Thank you!…

Post author:Christy
Post published:June 24, 2015
Post category:Blog Sage Advice
Post comments:0 Comments

Anabelle is the quiet one, and the low chicken in the pecking order

Chicken Update – Round 2 is Going Well

Some people have been asking for a chicken update, and since we haven't posted about them in awhile, it seemed like the perfect time. For those new to the blog, here's our original post about our new girls from last July. Meet the girls (from right to left): Wilma the Wellsummer, Anabelle the Americauna, and Sylvia the Silver-laced Wyandotte. These beautiful birds are, as you can see, quite full of personality. As they have grown we've enjoyed watching their quirks…

Post author:Christy
Post published:February 5, 2014
Post category:Blog What's Growin' On
Post comments:3 Comments

We selected our hens from several stalls like this one.

New Hens in the House

Over the past year, we've lost 2 chickens for various reasons. Our remaining hens grew louder (we assume due to loneliness - they are social animals, after all) so we decided to bring in more chickens to enliven the party. Last week we made a trip out to Chickens Galore in Norco, CA to pick out three new hens to join the flock. We brought our research--a dog-eared book highlighting different breeds for the best egg layers, disposition, etc. The…

Post author:Christy
Post published:July 9, 2013
Post category:Blog What's Growin' On
Post comments:5 Comments

U-pins hold netting in place to keep curious hens from crawling out underneath.

Wider Pastures: New Chicken Run

We were lucky. Our chickens never really discovered the garden. They simply stayed within bounds to peck and scratch the day away. Until last week. Their eyes have been opened and all the world is suddenly their oyster. I think not. Time for a new, larger chicken run to contain the birds but let them feel as though the have free range of the yard. Taking note from Omlet's chicken fence, we set out for the hardware store for stakes…

Post author:Christy
Post published:February 19, 2013
Post category:Blog What's Growin' On
Post comments:5 Comments

The Next Step in Urban Homesteading – Keeping Chickens

Call me a control freak, but I like to know where my food comes from. I started growing my own food to get fresh, healthy produce, to use less water, fewer pesticides and harmful chemicals - but really, to know where my food comes from. That was great, but I thought, "What else can I do to close the loop here? To be more self-reliant?" Composting and

Post author:Christy
Post published:July 7, 2010
Post category:What's Growin' On
Post comments:8 Comments