The other day we had somebody (a guy I consider my second son) help us clear out some scrap pieces of wood that were sitting in our hay shed. We have had hay in there before, but needed the extra space the wood was taking up to store more hay before the cold weather comes. We have kept a knife or two in the hay shed in the past to cut the bailing twine... keep this in mind...
Chicken Keeping Without Plastic
By Guest-Writer, Ginny Chandoha
Being a chicken keeper is a daunting task if you are raising chicks yourself for the first time. You can read every book, and look at every chicken-related website, but it’s just like having children for the first time. There are situations you won’t find answers to anywhere and have to come up with your own plan of attack.
We raise our chickens ultra-organically. I say that because we go above and beyond what is called for in organic poultry keeping rules and regulations. While there is much discussion on feed and environment, when it comes to what our birds will eat or drink from is considered standard, but not anything that could or should be considered organic and non-toxic. After all, we are what we eat, eats.
Having overcome an “incurable” autoimmune condition 8 years ago, I am always on the alert to anything potentially toxic to my health, and as a result, I carry that awareness into how I keep all my animals, furred and feathered.
Meal Worms - High In Protein & Great for Molting Chickens
Ahhh, fall! A time of beautiful foliage on the trees and fewer feathers on your birds. During the molt, chickens need a diet of higher protein to help their bodies produce more feathers. And eggs? Yeah - in any laying hen over the age of 9 months, you can expect far fewer (if any) eggs until they have finished molting and recovered fully.
Read about the Molting process HERE.
Read more about molting HERE.
While chickens love meal worms year-round, molting time is a great time to make sure your flock get plenty of this high-protein treat! Scratch grains average only about 8% protein but meal worms? Try 52% protein, babyyy! THAT is what your chickens need more of in order to thrive!
Read more »Read about the Molting process HERE.
Read more about molting HERE.
While chickens love meal worms year-round, molting time is a great time to make sure your flock get plenty of this high-protein treat! Scratch grains average only about 8% protein but meal worms? Try 52% protein, babyyy! THAT is what your chickens need more of in order to thrive!
Win a 58 Acre Virginia FARM - Opportunity of a Lifetime!
*** Entry deadline extended to Sept. 21, 2016! ***
Yes - that's right! You could write a 200 word essay and win a 58(+/-) acre farm/estate with a lovely horse barn and fenced pastureland!
Oh... and a house.
Well... really it's a circa 1905, 6,000 square foot Georgian mansion.
Oh... and $100,000 to cover taxes and what ever else might need covering after winning a prize like this! The estate is estimated at $1.5 million, but it can be yours for 200 words and an entry fee!
Oh, Scarlet... come out to the veranda on this fine day!
Crossing the Road - The Adventure of Lucille the Chicken (Part VI)
If you missed them, please see:
Crossing the Road - The Adventure of Lucille the Chicken
Read more »Crossing the Road - The Adventure of Lucille the Chicken
(Part II)
Crossing the Road - The Adventure of Lucille the Chicken
(Part III)
(Part II)
Crossing the Road - The Adventure of Lucille the Chicken
(Part III)
It would be dark soon, and Lucille needed to find a safe place to sleep. Tonight would be even darker than the last with almost no moon to speak of.
Crossing the Road - The Adventure of Lucille the Chicken
(Part VI)
Talk about a cliff hanger!! It has been almost exactly SIX MONTHS since we last saw poor Lucille trying to find her way back home after being carried off by a hungry hawk!
~*~*~*~*~*~
Wet and bedraggled, Lucille searched for a safe place to roost for the night. Much to her luck, she found a wild, evergreen magnolia tree. The big, green leaves would help to hide her from the wide array of hungry nocturnal hunters she knew were already starting to prowl for the evening.
Crossing the Road - The Adventure of Lucille the Chicken (Part V)
If you missed them, please see:
Crossing the Road - The Adventure of Lucille the Chicken
The river was very wide and deep. The water churned white as it rushed over jagged rocks and multiple pieces of debris sped down the river as if they were racing each other to some unseen finish line. Lucille knew there would be no way she could safely cross... at least not here.
Read more »Crossing the Road - The Adventure of Lucille the Chicken
(Part II)
Crossing the Road - The Adventure of Lucille the Chicken
(Part III)
(Part II)
Crossing the Road - The Adventure of Lucille the Chicken
(Part III)
Coming out of the underbrush, Lucille almost fell right into a rushing mountain river. Lucille's heart sank.
Crossing the Road - The Adventure of Lucille the Chicken
(Part V)
The river was very wide and deep. The water churned white as it rushed over jagged rocks and multiple pieces of debris sped down the river as if they were racing each other to some unseen finish line. Lucille knew there would be no way she could safely cross... at least not here.
Crossing the Road - The Adventure of Lucille the Chicken (Part IV)
If you missed them, please see:
How would she get across this space without attracting the attention of another hungry raptor. What if there were dogs? Or coyotes? Or foxes? The mountains were filled with predators of every kind who would love a fresh chicken dinner!
Read more »Crossing the Road - The Adventure of Lucille the Chicken
(Part II)
Crossing the Road - The Adventure of Lucille the Chicken
(Part III)
(Part II)
Crossing the Road - The Adventure of Lucille the Chicken
(Part III)
How would she get across this space without attracting the attention of another hungry raptor. What if there were dogs? Or coyotes? Or foxes? The mountains were filled with predators of every kind who would love a fresh chicken dinner!
Crossing the Road - The Adventure of Lucille the Chicken (Part IV)
Lucille gazed out over the pasture wondering how she could safely get to the other side. She knew that with her injuries she would not be able to outrun a predator, and that as a white chicken, she would be easily spotted out in the wide-open space.