 One of the most common questions folks have asked us before taking home baby chicks from our farm is whether they should use heat lamps or brooder plates. In this post, we’ll go over the pros and cons of each and share what we use as a heat source for baby chicks.
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 Are you getting ready to order some baby chicks for your homestead, but unsure about what terminology like “straight run chicks” means? Don’t worry, in this post we’ll explain the difference between straight run and sexed chicks so that you can make an informed decision.
 Splay leg, also known as spraddle leg, is a relatively common issue in newly hatched chicks. Fortunately, if addressed right away, splay can be treated fairly easily.
In this post, we’ll show you the simple method we’ve used to successfully treat splay leg in chicks when it happens, and the preventative measures we use to prevent splay leg from happening in the first place.  Ready to hatch your own chicks using an incubator but aren’t sure which model to choose? We got you. We’ve been hatching at home for years and in this post, we’ll share our favorite incubator models and how to choose the right one for your farm or homestead.
 Do you have a broody hen? Want to help her become a mama? In this post, we’ll talk about how to help your broody hen adopt day-old chicks successfully.
 Are you wondering if one of your hens has gone broody? Broodiness puts additional stress on a hen, so it’s important to understand the signs of broodiness so that you can give your chicken the care and support she needs. In this post, we’ll share the unmistakable signs of a broody hen.
 In this post, we’ll go over five ways to break a broody hen humanely. Watching a hen raise chicks is a beautiful experience, but there are also many good reasons to discourage or break broodiness in your flock. If you’re sure you have a broody hen and won’t be providing her with eggs or chicks, then breaking her broodiness is the best thing to do for her health and well-being.
 Got a broody hen? The first hatch with a broody hen can be nervewracking, but don’t worry, we got you! In this post, we share our best practices for hatching eggs under a broody hen, so you can set your hen and her chicks up for success from the start.
 Winter brings challenges beyond cold temperatures for backyard chickens. Rodents, mites, and lice can all threaten your flock’s health during the colder months. Keeping chickens pest-free in winter requires a combination of prevention, vigilance, and practical treatments: secure feed storage, dust baths, regular coop cleaning, homemade sprays, and careful monitoring of your birds. Implementing these strategies will help your flock stay healthy, stress-free, and productive all winter long.
 Winter is tough on chickens, especially when the ground is frozen, greens are scarce, and the cold challenges their metabolism. Proper nutrition during the colder months is essential to keep your flock healthy, warm, and productive. Offering winter greens, scratch grains, grit, and maintaining a consistent feed schedule are key strategies. These “chicken feed tips for winter” help your birds thrive until spring.
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Hi there.We're just two shy chicks who are passionate about raising poultry. On this blog, we share what we've learned from decades of chicken keeping and breeding rare poultry on our small farm. 
No more guesswork! In this free guide, we recommend poultry products we've tried, tested, love, and actually use on the farm.
Grab your copy here! 
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