If you want to start raising chickens at home you probably already know hens lay eggs regardless of the presence of a rooster. You probably also know that without a rooster none of these eggs will be fertilized, and it won't be possible to have a self-sustaining setup whereby you can hatch more baby chicks as your female chickens grow older. This can make a rooster an … [Read more...]
Do Chickens Need Shade?
It seems to be widely accepted as fact these days that the planet is getting warmer; summer heat waves are intensifying, and northerly climates are noticeably slowly creeping up in temperature. We can all do our bit to reduce the effects of climate change, and as it happens, keeping chickens is probably one of them- it bypasses the industrial operations required to get eggs … [Read more...]
Can I Keep Chickens and Rabbits Together?
If you’re an animal lover, it’s only natural that you’d want to keep all your pets as closely integrated as possible. If chickens are a new addition to your home, there’s a good chance you’ve already got other pets, such as cats, dogs, or in this case rabbits. Rabbits are one of the most docile creatures you can keep as a pet, so it’s unlikely there will be any deliberate … [Read more...]
Is Keeping Chickens Cost Effective?
Keeping chickens is often touted as a way for folks to save money whilst at the same time doing their bit to reject planet destroying industrialisation… Well maybe anyway. The second point is a rabbit hole I won’t go down here, but the first point, that keeping chickens saves you money in the long run, is definitely an appealing one, but just how true is it? If you’re … [Read more...]
Which Animals Protect Chickens From Foxes?
Foxes are a perennial problem for anyone who keeps poultry. If you’ve ever lost chickens to foxes you’ll know how heart wrenching it can be, so taking all necessary precautions against fox attack is near to the top of the list of things to do when first planning to keep chickens. There are of course a range of measures you can put in place to deter foxes, from constructing … [Read more...]