The Easy Homestead
Category

Chickens

Everything for a healthy, happy flock - breeds, coops, feed, and the day-to-day of raising backyard chickens.

67 articles

Chickens

Best Hatchery for Backyard Chickens: 6 Picks

Compare the best hatchery for backyard chickens by breed range, order size, guarantees, and shipping needs for working homesteads.

Aug 29, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Best Rare Breed Poultry for Sale: How to Buy

Looking for rare breed poultry for sale? Learn how to match breeds to your farm, vet sellers, plan transport, and settle birds safely.

Aug 26, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Best Feed for Meat Chickens: 3 Strong Options

Find the best feed for meat chickens by comparing protein, feed stages, ingredients, and feeding practices for healthy growth and efficient finishing.

Aug 24, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Best Chicken Feed Brands for Laying Hens

Compare the best chicken feed brands for laying hens by protein, ingredients, feed form, flock needs, and local buying options.

Aug 24, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Where to Buy Chicken Feed in Bulk

Find where to buy chicken feed in bulk, compare local mills and online suppliers, calculate order size, and store feed safely.

Aug 23, 2026 Read →
Chickens

What to Feed Meat Chickens: A Practical Guide

Learn what to feed meat chickens at each growth stage, with starter, grower, finisher feed, protein levels, portions, water, and medication tips.

Aug 22, 2026 Read →
Chickens

How Much Feed Does a Chicken Eat Per Day?

Learn how much feed does a chicken eat per day by age, production stage, weather, and health, with practical amounts for planning feed.

Aug 22, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Best Chicken Breeds for Beginners: 8 Good Picks

Compare the best chicken breeds for beginners by eggs, temperament, climate, and meat production, then choose a flock for your homestead.

Aug 21, 2026 Read →
Chickens

How to Find Fresh Eggs Near You

Find fresh eggs for sale near me with steps for locating local farms, checking egg quality, confirming stock, and buying with confidence.

Aug 20, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Sheep Shearer Near Me: How to Book One for a Small Flock

Struggling to find a sheep shearer near me for a small flock? Learn when to shear, what shearers charge, how to hit their minimum, and where to find one by county.

Aug 19, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Tractor Repair Near Me: How to Find Help Fast When It Goes Down

Tractor down mid-season? Compare dealer, independent, and mobile tractor repair near me, what to have ready when you call, and how to find a mechanic by county.

Aug 18, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Best Chicken Coop for Laying Hens

Find the best chicken coop for laying hens by matching size, airflow, predator control, cleaning access, and your flock’s daily needs.

Aug 16, 2026 Read →
Chickens

How to Find a Hatchery Near Me

Looking for a hatchery near me? Use ZIP and county searches, verify breeds, compare pickup or shipping, and reserve poultry stock before dates fill.

Aug 15, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Best Cost to Raise Meat Chickens Breakdown

See the cost to raise meat chickens by breed, housing, feed, processing, labor, and system. Compare home-raised birds with grocery-store prices.

Aug 13, 2026 Read →
Chickens

How to Order Chicks Online: A Practical Guide

Learn how ordering chicks online works — from picking breeds to brooder setup, shipping logistics, and what to do when birds arrive dead on arrival.

Jul 13, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Best Feed for Laying Hens: 7 Top Picks

Find the best feed for laying hens — from organic pellets to high-protein blends. Compare top picks by protein, calcium, and flock needs.

Jul 13, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Poultry Processing Near Me: A Resource Guide

Poultry processing near you comes in five routes: local directories, USDA plants, mobile units, state processors, and co-op hubs. Vet each before you book.

Jun 26, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Best Laying Hen Breeds for Your Flock

Best laying hen breeds ranked by egg output, temperament, and climate fit, plus how to find a verified hatchery near you. Honest picks for working flocks.

Jun 21, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Pale Comb on a Chicken: What It Means and Exactly What to Do (2026)

A pale comb on a chicken is usually molting, laying, or stress, not an emergency. Use this 5-minute checklist to spot the red flags and know when to act.

Mar 13, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Do Skunks Eat Chickens? What They’re Really After (and How to Protect Your Flock)

Do skunks eat chickens? Yes, but eggs and chicks are the main target, and adult hens can fight back. See how skunks get in and how to keep your flock safe.

Mar 12, 2026 Read →
Chickens

GoodEgg Wash Review: Is This Shark Tank Egg Cleaner Worth It for Backyard Chickens? (2025)

GoodEgg Wash is an enzyme cleaner for farm fresh eggs that breaks down dirt without removing the bloom. Here is how it held up after a year of coop use.

Mar 12, 2026 Read →
Chickens

How Long Can Eggs Survive in an Incubator Without Power? (2026)

Eggs in an incubator without power can usually survive up to 12 hours at room temperature. Learn what affects that window and the steps to take right now.

Mar 12, 2026 Read →
Chickens

How Many Nesting Boxes Per Chicken (Plus the Table Every New Keeper Needs)

How many nesting boxes per chicken? Use 1 box per 4 to 5 hens, with a minimum of 2 for any flock. See what you need by flock size, plus sizing and bedding.

Mar 12, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Nurture Right 360 Incubator Review: Is It Worth It for Beginners? (2026)

Nurture Right 360 incubator review covering hatch rates, the cold-running temperature fix, lid quirks, and whether it suits first-time hatchers. Take a look.

Mar 12, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Salmon Faverolle Feet: 5 Toes, Feathered Legs, and What to Do When Something Looks Off

Salmon Faverolle feet have five toes and fully feathered legs. Learn what healthy feet look like, normal toe variation, and how to spot bumblefoot early.

Mar 12, 2026 Read →
Chickens

How Much Do Silkie Chickens Cost? (2026 Pricing Guide for Backyard Flocks)

Silkie chickens cost $4.50 to $16.50 per day-old chick from hatcheries, and up to $95 for an adult laying hen. Compare prices by source, age, and sex here.

Mar 12, 2026 Read →
Chickens

200+ Black Chicken Names: Cute, Funny, Unique & More (2026)

Black chicken names organized by vibe: dramatic, funny, sweet, or unexpected. Browse 200+ picks for Australorps, Silkies, and Ayam Cemani to find a fit.

Mar 11, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Do People Eat Roosters? Yes - Here’s What to Do With Them

Do people eat roosters? Yes, worldwide and for centuries. Learn the best age to butcher, why mature birds taste stronger, and how to cook them low and slow.

Mar 11, 2026 Read →
Chickens

How to Keep Chickens Off the Porch (What Actually Works in 2026)

Keep chickens off the porch by moving feeders, scattering scents they dislike, and using a motion sprinkler. Simple fixes that skip confining your flock.

Mar 11, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Orpington Chicken Colors: Every Variety from Buff to Rare (2026 Guide)

Orpington chicken colors range from common Buff to rare Jubilee and Chocolate. Compare every variety, its look, availability, and best fit for your flock.

Mar 11, 2026 Read →
Chickens

Easy Chicken Coop Plans for Beginners (2026) | 5 DIY Designs

Easy chicken coop plans for beginners: five budget DIY designs compared by capacity, build time, and cost, with material lists so you can start this weekend.

Feb 13, 2026 Read →
Chickens

How to Build a Chicken Run in 5 Ridiculously Easy Steps

How to build a chicken run: plan the layout, size it for your flock, pick a dry spot, and build predator-proof walls. Five simple steps to keep hens safe.

Oct 26, 2024 Read →
Chickens

How to Build a Chicken Coop In 5 Steps: Ultimate DIY Guide!

How to build a chicken coop in five steps: cover sizing, location, framing, roofing, ventilation, and nesting boxes for a coop that keeps your hens safe.

Oct 23, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Can Chickens Eat Celery? Yes, And It’s Highly Nutritious

Can chickens eat celery in small amounts, and it adds vitamins, calcium, and fiber. Chop the stringy stalks first so they swallow easily. Here's how to feed it.

Oct 21, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Can Chickens Eat Onions? They’re Worse Than You Might Think

Can chickens eat onions? They shouldn't. Onions contain thiosulphate that harms a flock whether raw or cooked. Learn the risks and safer treats to feed.

Oct 16, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Can Chickens Eat Strawberries? A Juicy Poultry Owners’ Guide

Can chickens eat strawberries? Yes, they are a safe, vitamin-rich treat. Learn the right amount, how to prep berries, leaves, and tops, and when to limit them.

Oct 9, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Jersey Giant Chickens: How to Care For These Gentle Giants

Jersey Giant Chickens are a hardy dual-purpose breed that can weigh up to 15 pounds. Learn their history, temperament, egg laying, and care needs here.

Oct 7, 2024 Read →
Chickens

5 Best Chicken Feeders for Happy, Healthy Hens in 2025

Chicken feeders cut feed waste and keep food clean for your flock. Compare 5 types, from automatic dispensers to DIY, to pick the right one for your hens.

Oct 2, 2024 Read →
Chickens

What is Chicken Grit and Its Purpose

Chicken grit is the small hard stone that birds store in the gizzard to grind feed. Learn the types, how it differs from oyster shell, and how to offer it.

Oct 2, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Can Chickens Eat Broccoli? Your Complete Guide

Can chickens eat broccoli? Yes, in moderation. Learn how to wash, chop, and introduce it safely, plus the goitrogen risk and how much to feed your flock.

Oct 1, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Can Chickens Eat Pineapple? FAQ & Tips

Can chickens eat pineapple? Yes, in moderation. Learn the vitamin benefits, how to prepare and portion it safely, plus other safe fruit treats to try.

Sep 30, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Brahma Chickens: The Gentle Giants of the Poultry World

Brahma chickens are gentle giants once called the King of All Poultry. Learn their history, huge size, temperament, and care needs for your backyard flock.

Sep 25, 2024 Read →
Chickens

127 Egg-cellent Chicken Puns for a Clucking Good Time

Chicken puns to brighten any farm day, with 127 egg jokes, coop one-liners, and rooster wordplay plus a quick generator for five fresh picks. Take a look.

Sep 25, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Cinnamon Queen Chickens: The Ultimate Egg-Laying Machines!

Cinnamon Queen chickens are a hardy hybrid that can lay up to 300 eggs a year. Learn their traits, egg output, and care basics before adding them to your flock.

Sep 19, 2024 Read →
Chickens

How To Raise Backyard Chickens: A Beginner’s Guide

Raising backyard chickens covers local rules, coop setup, feeding, and daily care for healthy hens and fresh eggs. A beginner guide to start your flock.

Sep 3, 2024 Read →
Chickens

When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs? 3 Simple Ways To Tell

When chickens start laying eggs depends on breed, usually 16 to 24 weeks. Check age, comb and wattle color, and squatting behavior to know your hens are ready.

Aug 29, 2024 Read →
Chickens

When Do Chickens Molt – What Chicken Owners Need to Know

When do chickens molt? Most hens molt in late summer or early fall, shedding and regrowing feathers over 3 to 16 weeks. Learn the triggers and how to help.

Aug 28, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Sapphire Gem Chickens: The Ultimate Guide to Raising Them

Sapphire Gem chickens lay about 260 to 290 large brown eggs a year and stay calm and docile, making this hardy blue breed a solid pick for new keepers.

Aug 1, 2024 Read →
Chickens

How to Treat Fowl Pox in Chickens Naturally: 7 Easy Home Remedies

Treat fowl pox naturally with 7 simple home remedies like apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, and calendula salve. Spot symptoms early and support flock recovery.

Jul 9, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Chicken Breeds: Types of Chickens from A-Z (Complete List)

Chicken breeds from A to Z in one complete list, with egg color, egg counts, origins, and temperament for each, to help you pick the right backyard flock.

Jul 8, 2024 Read →
Chickens

What Can Chickens NOT Eat? Foods to Avoid Feeding Chickens!

What can chickens not eat? Avoid chocolate, avocado, onions, garlic, raw potatoes, citrus, salty snacks, and moldy food to keep your backyard flock healthy.

Jun 27, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Can Chickens Eat Bananas? What About Banana Peels?

Can chickens eat bananas? Yes, in moderation. Learn how to safely prepare bananas and peels, how much to give, and how often to offer this healthy treat.

Jun 23, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Are Chickens Warm or Cold Blooded Animals? Get the Facts

Chickens are warm-blooded, not cold-blooded, so they keep a steady body temperature near 104 to 108°F. Learn how they regulate heat and stay comfortable.

Jun 21, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Can Chickens Eat Avocado? Here’s What 12 Years of Chicken Keeping Taught Me

Can chickens eat avocado? Yes, the ripe flesh in small amounts, but never the skin, pit, leaves, or bark, which contain persin. Learn to feed it safely.

Jun 20, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Chicken Comb Turning Black: 5 Reasons and What to Do

Chicken comb turning black can signal frostbite, fowl pox, fungal infection, pecking, or poor nutrition. Learn to spot the cause and treat it before it spreads.

Jun 20, 2024 Read →
Chickens

How Long Are Fresh Eggs Good For? 5 Easy Ways to Extend Their Shelf Life in 2025

How long fresh eggs are good for depends on storage: up to 14 days at room temperature or several weeks refrigerated. Learn the signs of a bad egg inside.

Jun 20, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Best Animal to Protect Chickens: Guardian Dogs, Geese, Donkeys and More

The best animal to protect chickens is usually a livestock guardian dog, but geese, donkeys, llamas and guinea fowl each suit certain flocks. Compare them here.

Jun 19, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Why Is My Chickens Poop Black? Everything You Need to Know About Droppings

Black chicken poop is usually cecal droppings, a normal part of digestion. Learn how to tell healthy droppings from warning signs and keep your flock well.

Jun 19, 2024 Read →
Chickens

How to Keep Skunks Away from Chickens: 3 Surefire Ways

Keep skunks away from chickens with motion-activated sprinklers, predator urine, and solar lights. Learn how to protect your coop and keep your flock safe.

Jun 19, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Can Chickens Eat Tomatoes Safely? Avoid Unripe Tomatoes

Can chickens eat tomatoes? Yes, ripe ones in moderation. Learn which parts to avoid, safe serving amounts, and how to feed tomatoes to your flock safely.

Jun 17, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Can Chickens Eat Apples? The Surprising Truth About This Healthy Treat

Can chickens eat apples? Yes, in moderation. Apples add vitamins, fiber, and gut-supporting pectin to your flock's diet. Learn safe ways to feed them here.

May 23, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Can Chickens Eat Grapes? Beware of High Sugar Content!

Can chickens eat grapes? Yes, in moderation as an occasional treat. Learn safe serving sizes, the best way to feed them, and what to watch for with your flock.

May 23, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Can Chickens Eat Split Peas? The Answer Might Surprise You

Can chickens eat split peas? Yes, and they offer protein, fiber, and minerals. Learn how to prepare and serve them safely as part of a balanced flock diet.

May 22, 2024 Read →
Chickens

What Can Chickens Eat? The Ultimate Food Guide for Chickens

What can chickens eat? This guide lists safe fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein, plus toxic foods to avoid, and how to prepare treats for your flock.

May 18, 2024 Read →
Chickens

315+ Chicken Names to make you Cluck out Loud

Chicken names can be tough to pick. Browse over 315 hand-picked ideas, from punny and funny to classic, all sorted by category so you can find one fast.

Apr 18, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Your Guide to Buying Meat Chickens

Buying meat chickens starts with picking the right breed. Compare Cornish Cross, Rangers, and Cornish game hens, plus where to buy and when they are ready.

Jan 22, 2024 Read →
Chickens

Raising Baby Chicks – Top 5 Chicken Supplies

Raising baby chicks starts with the right gear. Here are the top 5 chicken supplies you need: brooder housing, bedding, heat lamps, feed, and water. Get set up.

Jan 8, 2024 Read →
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