Do chickens still lay eggs in the winter? That’s a common question many curious poultry lovers ask me.
The answer? It depends.
Continue reading Chickens Laying Eggs in the Winter
Category Archives: Backyard Chickens
Hemp Chicken Coop Bedding Review
After running out of dried birch leaves this winter, I decided to try a new kind of chicken coop bedding: ground hemp.
Continue reading Hemp Chicken Coop Bedding Review
Winter Chicken Keeping: Eating Snow for Hydration
Taking care of chickens in the winter isn’t that hard. As long as they have shelter, food, and water, they generally do okay. Continue reading Winter Chicken Keeping: Eating Snow for Hydration
The “Williwaw Chicks” Make Their Coop Debut
The five fluffy Icelandic hatched & hens raised by Williwaw Elementary school (fondly known as the “Williwaw Chicks”) finally spread their wings in their new coop. Continue reading The “Williwaw Chicks” Make Their Coop Debut
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
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.
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
Guardians of the Eggs – Edible Alaska Magazine
I wrote a personal essay for Edible Alaska magazine’s 2016 winter issue, titled “Guardians of the Eggs,” offering a glimpse into winter chicken keeping and the mini-ecosystem of our urban yard. Continue reading Guardians of the Eggs – Edible Alaska Magazine
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
Taking care of chickens in the winter
Wintertime chicken keeping might seem intimidating, but it’s actually surprisingly easy once you get the swing of it.
It’s helpful to keep in mind that chickens are birds, and there are plenty of birds that thrive in the snowy, winter woods. After all, they’ve got nice, fluffy full-body down coats to keep themselves warm. Continue reading Taking care of chickens in the winter