Involving children in the care of backyard chickens provides them with a fun activity while also offering numerous benefits that contribute to their development and well-being. The advantages they gain from learning to responsibly care for an animal are significant. Here’s why encouraging your children to help with backyard chickens is a valuable experience: Teaches… Read more »
There’s so much to love about becoming a backyard chicken owner. You become more self-sufficient, you’ll be provided with fresh eggs and natural pest control, and you’ll have the joy of connecting with animals. But before any of that happens, you have some big decisions to make. Perhaps the most important question you’ll have to… Read more »
Raising backyard turkeys is a fulfilling, worthwhile venture that can complement your existing poultry keeping or serve as a standalone project. Turkeys tend to be fascinating birds that provide large eggs and more meat than chickens, adding substantial value to your backyard operation. Even if you’re not planning to harvest their meat, they can be… Read more »
After a few years of keeping and caring for backyard chickens, you may find yourself wanting to branch out and add a few different breeds to the mix. Integrating waterfowl such as ducks and geese with your backyard chickens can enrich your poultry experience, bringing diversity and new dynamics to your flock. This can be… Read more »
If you’ve already experienced the joys of raising backyard chickens and are considering adding ducks to your flock, there are some notable differences to be aware of. While ducks share some similarities with chickens, they have unique needs and behaviors that can make caring for them a delightful challenge. Let’s waddle through the main distinctions… Read more »
If you’ve ever considered raising backyard ducks, you’ve likely considered what it would be like to have fresh eggs available all the time. Duck eggs, a culinary treasure often overshadowed by chicken eggs, offer a range of benefits that might make them the perfect choice for your dietary and lifestyle needs. Whether you’re a baking… Read more »
Raising backyard turkeys can be a fulfilling endeavor, offering benefits beyond just the joy of keeping poultry. While chickens are a more common choice for backyard flocks, turkeys bring their own unique charm and advantages. If you’re contemplating whether to add these majestic birds to your backyard, here are some signs that raising turkeys might… Read more »
The most popular reason people choose to raise backyard chickens is obvious – daily fresh eggs. But these quirky, feathered creatures offer us so much more than just breakfast. Here are some of the often-overlooked benefits of raising backyard chickens: A Healthier, Happier Garden Have you been dealing with nasty bugs getting into your garden?… Read more »
As you begin to raise backyard chickens, an obvious question that you may be asking yourself is, “Should I have a rooster?” While roosters can protect your flock from predators, they can also be hostile, causing harm to your flock or to yourself. Here we sort through the pros and cons of having a rooster… Read more »
If you stayed home alone all day, every day, chances are you’d start to get lonely. Our chickens are just the same. Chickens are social animals, and they need other chickens around them in order to be happy. Here are a few reasons why that is: More chickens will keep away predators A single chicken… Read more »
Chickens make great companions and can be wonderful helpers in teaching responsibility and care to kids. Of course, with any animal, some breeds are known to be more friendly with humans. Especially if it’s your first time caring for chickens, it’s never a bad idea to get some that you know have the reputation of… Read more »
When you get your chicken meat from the grocery store, it often comes from large corporations that use unethical practices. Chickens are kept in cruel environments and there is little care given to their happiness and livelihood. However, we can help break this cycle. Small flock owners and free rangers can provide a healthy and… Read more »
Many people who raise backyard chickens are starting to get into raising guinea fowl. There are many benefits to raising guineas—they help protect the rest of the flock, they’re an effective means of pest control, and they provide plenty of meat and eggs. But, if you’re just starting to raise guinea fowl, you may not… Read more »
Here at Chickens for Backyards, we always talk about how beneficial raising backyard chickens can be. Not only can chickens provide a fresh batch of eggs and friendly companionship, they can also be a learning opportunity for our kids. Below are four lessons that your children will learn when they start raising backyard chickens. Responsibility… Read more »
When you’re starting a backyard flock, you first have to decide which species of bird you wish to raise. Do you want to raise ducks? Or do you want to raise chickens? Both species offer a rewarding experience, and indeed many people raise both! But in the beginning, it’s often best to start with one… Read more »
Raising chickens is not easy work. It requires a lot of heavy lifting—literally—that can take its toll on your body. It’s not uncommon for people to wake up with sore muscles or an aching back, but you certainly don’t want this to become a regular occurrence. After all, taking care of yourself is just as… Read more »
When you begin to raise backyard chickens, you’re bound to make a few mistakes. Nevertheless, for the sake of your flock, you should try your best to avoid these mistakes early on. There are many common mistakes that beginners make when raising backyard chickens, and by being familiar with them, you are more able to… Read more »
Raising backyard chickens can be a thrilling and rewarding experience; it can also be a daunting experience. This is especially the case for beginners who may be attracted to the idea of raising backyard chickens but may not know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to help all beginners get… Read more »
There’s no rule that when you start raising backyard chickens that you can only raise backyard chickens. In fact, there are plenty of other species that you can raise alongside your chickens including guinea fowl, turkeys, and, of course, ducks. Ducks are a great species to raise together with chickens, but there are some things… Read more »
In the past, people kept to raising chickens. Now, however, domesticating and caring for guinea fowl has become increasingly popular with each coming year. So much so, in fact, that people are now raising their chickens alongside their guinea fowl. While raising two different species is never easy, it can be done if you take… Read more »
Just because you live in the city doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy a taste of the country life. Raising chickens can help you do just that, but it does come with some problems. Fussy neighbors, lack of space, and city ordinances are all things that you will have to contend with if you plan on… Read more »
When it comes to raising chickens, there is a lot of work that goes into the endeavor. You have to keep them happy, healthy, and protected. As far as threats come, there can be a lot to watch out for, and that includes environmental pressures, illnesses, and threats that come in the form of predators… Read more »
The large majority of the United States has experienced a massive heat wave over the course of the last few weeks. As an animal owner, extreme temperatures can be worrisome. If you’re hot, it’s highly likely that your animals are too, chickens included. Fortunately, there are easy changes you can make to help cool your… Read more »
Hens sometimes go through phases where they will “refuse” to lay eggs for a period of time. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you’re raising chickens for the sole purpose of having fresh eggs at home. There are several different reasons that hens might suddenly stop laying eggs and Chickens for Backyards has some… Read more »
A lot of things change when a chicken goes from a fluffy baby chick to a fully-grown, producing chicken. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE VARIOUS STAGES OF GROWTH WHEN IT COMES TO CHICKENS IN ORDER TO RAISE THEM APPROPRIATELY. Understanding the changes of growth will help you better comprehend the science of these birds and will give you… Read more »
During the day, your chickens probably spend most of their time cooling off in the shade or roaming around your property foraging for insects. Chickens aren’t known for their flying abilities, so they tend to stay close to the ground unless they’re forced to a higher perch by the threat of a predator. But your… Read more »
