New Additions!

                         She is the youngest and falls asleep as soon as you pick her up!

These are the new babies I have 3 Silkies and 4 Whyandotts!

The Health Benefits of Free-range Eggs [Part 1]

Less Fat and Cholesterol

The American Heart Association recommends reducing intake of both saturated fat and cholesterol in order to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Testing by "Mother Earth News" found that eggs from pasture-fed free-range hens, on average, contained one-third of the cholesterol and one-fourth of the saturated fat as conventional eggs. A Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education study yielded similar results, with pastured hens producing eggs with 10 percent less fat and 34 percent less cholesterol.

More Vitamin A

Vitamin A promotes the healthy development of teeth, bones, soft tissue and tissues in the eyes needed for good vision; it also acts as an antioxidant and protects cells from damage. The "Mother Earth News" and SARE studies found that free-range eggs contained 67 percent and 40 percent more vitamin A, respectively, than conventional eggs.

:) chick names :)

hey guys I am going to get chicks soon start thinking of some cute names!!!! :) I will post pics please no food involved just nice sweet names! :)

Chicken Care After First 60 Days

Chicken Coops - Once feathered out you'll want to move your chickens into a chicken coop! Rule of thumb is about 2-3 square feet per chicken inside the henhouse and 4-5 sq/ft per chicken in an outside run. Keep local predators in mind and make a safe home for your flock!

Flooring - Pine shavings work best. You can even try the deep litter method for even less maintenance.

Food & water - Most people go with chicken layer feed / pellets. You can even make a homemade chicken feeder / waterer

Treats - Vegetables, bread, bugs, chicken scratch (cracked corn, milo, wheat)

How To Care For A Chick - First 60 Days

Young Chick Brooder - Can be as simple as a sturdy cardboard box or a small animal cage like one you'd use for rabbits.

Flooring - Pine shavings work best. You can also use corn cob bedding. Try to stay clear of newspaper since it doesn't absorb well and can be slippery.

Temperature - 90 to 100 deg. for the first week, decrease 5 deg. per week. A 100 watt bulb pointing in one corner (not the whole brooder) works well.

Food & water - chick crumbles / starter & a chick waterer

Play time - Play with your chicks when young to get the use to being around people.

Outside time - Section off an area in your yard where the chicks can explore, scratch, etc. Make sure you can catch them when it's time to come in.

Need to Knows About Raising Backyard Chickens... Where do you get chickens?

There are several places you can find chicks. The best places are feed stores that get their chicks from reputable hatcheries and online hatcheries. Adult hens are often on Craigslist and sometimes in animal shelters. Adults are more expensive, so I usually go with chicks — though they take more work. When purchasing your chicks, make sure that they have been vaccinated for Marek's disease.

Need to Knows About Raising Backyard Chickens... Is it legal?

Many cities allow people to have small backyard flocks of hens. However, there are just as many communities that don't abide chickens. If you belong to a Home Owners Association, chances are your bylaws state you cannot have chickens. Always check. If you want chickens and live in an area they're not zoned for, you can work on changing the rules. Find like minds in your community and take the subject before the city council or homeowners association. Get it on their agenda. Educate them about the benefits of raising chickens at home.