Its done. The chickens were harvested. They were actually harvested back at the beginning of November. And I am just now getting this post to you. I struggled with what EXACTLY to share with you. I mean, it is a post about killing chickens. Yikes. In the end, I have decided to share with you my experience in how … Read More
How to Raise Meat Chickens – Part 2
The meat chickens are here!! A week ago, I got a call from my friend announcing that the chicks have arrived!! Woohoo! Wait, is the coop ready? Do we have everything? Do we know everything we need to know about how to raise meat chickens? My husband put some last minute touches on the coop while I put together our … Read More
An Air Conditioner in the Chicken Coop?
Yes. You read that correctly. We put an air conditioner in the chicken coop. Are my chickens spoiled? Perhaps. But they are alive!! Living in Phoenix, I am challenged with keeping my chickens alive during the summer. Our temps have been known to creep up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Fortunately, that isn’t normal. But 110 is still darn hot!!! … Read More
Best Beginning Breeds for the Homestead
There’s something truly amazing about animal husbandry. Rearing animals from infancy to adulthood, connecting with them on a personal level, giving them the best life and death possible — it’s easy to see why so many people are swearing off commercially produced milk, eggs, and meat and simply producing and raising their own. However, when you’re just getting started in … Read More
Natural Pesticides for your Home
In my quest to detox my life, I have finally gotten around to getting rid of our bug guy. I know, I know. You can’t believe I have a bug guy, right? Well, in the years we have had him, he was never allowed to spray inside or in the backyard where our chickens are. I have no idea why … Read More
Fermented Chicken Feed
You all know how much Oh Lardy loves to ferment foods! If it is a veggie, a fruit, even a juice, we have tried to ferment it. So, it should come as no surprise that I decided to ferment my chicken feed. I mean, why not? Fermenting their food will improve the enzyme content and increase vitamin levels! Fermenting chicken … Read More
A Practical Guide to Keeping Chickens – Resources and Questions
A while ago I took a little poll on Facebook. I mentioned that we were planning a series on Chicken Keeping and wanted to know your questions! We had a great response and I took notes. Hopefully, I answered most of your questions throughout this series. However, there were still a few specific questions that I wanted to make sure … Read More
A Practical Guide to Keeping Chickens – Eggs!
I have often equated the time spent waiting for my chicken to lay her first egg to the time spent waiting to go into labor with a child. When I first got chickens, I was on egg watch the second they turned 5 months old. “Any day now” I kept telling curious friends and family. And when that day finally … Read More
A Practical Guide to Keeping Chickens – Chicken Care
Congratulations! You have built your coop and your girls are happily living their chicken lives scratching, eating, and roosting. You are providing them with fresh water and plenty of food every day. You are making sure their coop is clean and safe. And you are waiting. Waiting for those chicks you brought home (who aren’t chicks anymore!) to lay some … Read More
A Practical Guide to Keeping Chickens – The Scoop on the Coop
When we decided to get chicks 4 years ago, the kids and I picked them out from a local feed store, brought them home to their brooder, and I told my husband he had about 6 weeks to build me a coop. For us, having the chicks in the house and NEEDING a place to eventually put them, properly inspired … Read More
A Practical Guide to Keeping Chickens – Chicken 101
When I first got chickens, the #1 question that my friends and family asked was, “Do you need a rooster to get eggs?” The answer is no. I usually like to respond with something cheeky, like, “Do you need a man so that you can ovulate each month?” Nope, us ladies do that all on our own. And so do … Read More
A Practical Guide to Keeping Backyard Chickens – An Introduction
When I was a child, I grew up smack dab in the middle of Phoenix. We had a small backyard, a couple of dogs, and a couple of cats. No farm animals. I didn’t even have any friends who had farm animals. Wait, scratch that. My best friend’s father had horses. But I don’t really count those. Not sure why, … Read More
Fowl Pox
One day while I was tending to my chickens I noticed my sweet Harriet’s comb was looking…odd. I first wondered if she was getting pecked by the other hens. But typically pecking wounds are more bloody in nature, and this was looking more ominous than a pecking order issue. I snapped a quick picture and went inside to research. Fowl … Read More
Top 10 Uses for Diatomaceous Earth
Even for a dedicated diatomaceous earth user like myself, I’m always learning new ways to use DE. Read our top ten ways to incorporate diatomaceous earth more fully into your life. Use this as ant killer and repellent in the home. Definitely one of the most popular reasons to use DE, and you’ll be glad you used it. Even if … Read More
Chickens and Mites, Oh My!
I promise that you will get itchy while reading this post! Along with backyard chicken keeping comes the possibility of a mite infestation. Ew. In all of the years I have kept chickens, I have never had to deal with lice or mites. Knock on wood. But, they are out there and it still could happen to us! How can … Read More
Oh Lardy Talks about CHICKENS!
Kelly loves having chickens SO much, that when Danelle from Weed ’em and Reap asked her to come on her little radio show and talk all about it, she jumped at the chance! Raising backyard chickens in the middle of a city is definitely becoming more and more popular. If you don’t currently own chickens, you may be thinking … Read More
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