Category Archives: Backyard Chickens

two chickens by leaf pile during fall

Fall Leaves: nature’s free mulch, compost & animal bedding

Driving through neighborhoods during fall time, it’s common to see big black trash bags stuffed with raked leaves sitting on the curb, waiting for garbage day.

When your yard (or a nearby neighbor’s yard) is filled with leafy, deciduous trees, although it’s a chore to rake up falling leaves, you’re actually bagging up brown gold that you – or someone else – could re-purpose. Continue reading Fall Leaves: nature’s free mulch, compost & animal bedding

young woman holding colored chicken egg

Brown eggs vs white eggs. Here’s what eggshell colors actually mean.

While everyone has seen white eggs and light brown eggs, chicken eggs naturally exist in many, many different colors and shades – even light blues, greens & pinks.

Until just a few years ago, I assumed that brown eggs came from organic, well-treated chickens, whereas white eggs came from the cruel egg factories where PETA is always trying to get inside footage.

Turns out, I was super wrong. Continue reading Brown eggs vs white eggs. Here’s what eggshell colors actually mean.

Black hen outdoors

The Downsides of Backyard Chickens: Things to consider before getting chickens

Don’t get me wrong – I love having chickens.

But owning any animal comes with responsibilities and potential drawbacks you should be aware of. If you’re thinking about getting backyard chickens for the first time, here are some serious things to consider. Continue reading The Downsides of Backyard Chickens: Things to consider before getting chickens

shrinking chicken comb discoloration

What’s Wrong With My Hen’s Comb? The Mystery of the Molting Chicken

About two years ago, I noticed a strange change in one of my hen’s comb and waddle, the red-colored skin above and below a chicken’s beak.

Owl, a “backyard blend” (= chicken mutt breed) is an egg laying chicken in my urban backyard flock. I got her as a 3-day-old chick, and she was the first chicken to ever lay an egg for me, so she holds a special little place in my heart. <3 Continue reading What’s Wrong With My Hen’s Comb? The Mystery of the Molting Chicken