Guides for Raising Healthy Chickens Anywhere
Learn what to feed your flock at every stage. From safe kitchen scraps to homemade feed mixes, we cover how to keep your chickens healthy and laying strong with smart nutrition tips.
You might think chickens are simple creatures, happy with just food, water, and a place to roost. I thought so, too, until I noticed my flock was getting into trouble. My favorite hens were starting to peck at each other, and they seemed restless and unhappy. That’s when I realized: my chickens were bored. This … Read more
Can Chickens Eat Pumpkins? Yes, chickens can eat pumpkins safely, including the flesh, seeds, skin, and guts. This fall favorite is packed with vitamins A, B, C, E, plus minerals like zinc, potassium, and magnesium that support chicken health. Your flock can enjoy pumpkins raw or cooked, whole or cut. Moderation, however, is key- think … Read more
Imagine two identical flocks of chickens. One lays 205 eggs over a 14-week period. The other, fed a different diet, lays an astonishing 499 eggs in the same timeframe. This isn’t a hypothetical scenario; it’s the result of a scientific study comparing a national brand to Nutrena NatureWise chicken feed. When I first heard that … Read more
When I first started raising chickens, I thought all feed was pretty much the same. That changed last March, right when egg prices skyrocketed and my flock’s egg production took a nosedive, and the yolks looked pale and sad. It sent me down a rabbit hole of research, and that’s when I discovered Kalmbach Henhouse … Read more
If you’ve ever found a soft-shelled egg in your nesting box or watched a hen struggle to walk, you’ve witnessed the devastating effects of calcium deficiency firsthand. As someone who’s raised chickens for over a decade, I’ve learned that calcium management is one of the most critical—yet often misunderstood—aspects of chicken health. Calcium deficiency affects … Read more
Making your own chicken feed transforms the way you raise backyard chickens. After mixing my own feed for seven years, I can confidently say the benefits extend far beyond the 20% cost savings. This comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to make your own chicken feed, providing you with recipes, tips, and the knowledge … Read more
Apple cider vinegar has become a staple in many backyard chicken coops, and for good reason. After raising chickens for over a decade, I’ve seen firsthand how this simple, natural supplement can transform flock health when used correctly. Let me share everything I’ve learned about how to use apple cider vinegar for chickens, including the … Read more
The biggest question on every new chicken keeper’s mind isn’t about roosting bars or nesting boxes—it’s, “What is this actually going to cost me?” The largest single expense in any flock is feed, and a tiny mistake in calculation can lead to a huge impact on your budget. This guide is more than just a … Read more
Imagine healthier chickens with stronger immune systems, better eggshells, and a lower monthly feed bill. This isn’t a new magic supplement; it’s a simple, age-old process: fermenting chicken feed. This guide shows you how to transform your regular feed into a probiotic-rich superfood. We’ll go over the pros and cons, the simple science, and a … Read more
There are few things more frustrating for a chicken keeper than heading out to the coop expecting fresh eggs, only to find a sticky, broken mess. I’ve been there, and I know how disheartening it can be. The good news is that this is a problem you can solve. This article covers common causes and … Read more