chickens - Common Sense Home

50 Do-It-Yourself Projects for Keeping Chickens – Chicken Coops and More

August 11, 2018 by Laurie Neverman 2 Comments

“50 Do-It-Yourself Projects for Keeping Chickens – Chicken Coops, Brooders, Runs, Swings, Dust Baths, and More!” by Janet Garman of Timber Creek Farm is a pleasure to read. You might think that with so many chicken care books already on the market, there would be limited need for another, but Janet will prove you wrong. This book is chock full of practical tips and projects, photos and step-by-step instructions. It's a great addition to the library of any chicken keeper, large or small.

I had the honor of checking out a review copy before it went to publication. (You can spot my endorsement on the back cover.) Now the book is in print and I can share it with all of you! [Read more…]

Best Laying Hens – For Beginners, White Eggs, Brown Eggs

February 9, 2018 by Debra Ahrens Leave a Comment

What are the best laying hens? The answer will vary, depending on your needs. First, ask yourself some basic questions: What is your purpose for getting chickens? Do you primarily want a good source of eggs? If so, how many eggs do you want in a week? What egg color do you want? Will your chickens be more like pets than working livestock? Do you want a dual purpose breed so that you get a little meat? [Read more…]

Quick Lock Chicken Door – Predator Resistant, Easy Latch Open or Closed

November 10, 2017 by August Neverman 3 Comments

Our main outbuilding is a combination of garden shed and chicken coop. The main human door is a screened patio door, which opens to the inside of the building. The chicken door was a custom built. As we were building, we left an opening in the wall for the chicken door, but didn't have a chicken door design we really liked. Through trial and error, searching the internet and talking with neighbors, we came up with a solution we believe will work for most chicken coops. [Read more…]

What to Feed Chickens – Do’s and Don’ts for a Healthy Chicken Diet

October 6, 2017 by Debra Ahrens 9 Comments

Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the pile of interesting scraps on the other side of the road, of course! Commercial producers feed a highly controlled diet to their birds, and there are good reasons for that. Backyard hobbyists and homesteaders love to give treats to their girls. We'll talk about what to feed chickens and what not to feed chickens to keep your flock happy and healthy. [Read more…]

The Small-Scale Poultry Flock – Quality Natural Poultry Care

October 5, 2017 by Laurie Neverman 2 Comments

I recently had the pleasure of reading “The Small-Scale Poultry Flock – An all natural approach to raising chickens and other fowl for home and market growers” by Harvey Ussery. This book is overflowing with detailed information on every aspect of natural poultry care. It's a worthwhile investment for new poultry people and experienced growers alike. This is not a “pet chicken” book, but a practical manual grounded in decades of experience. [Read more…]