About the Author

Jeremy Chartier

At 12 years old, Jeremy Chartier became involved with his local 4-H group, later joined the local FFA chapter, and showed livestock until his college years. After graduating from the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture at UConn, he joined the University of Maine’s Poultry Service Provider training program. Today Jeremy sells started pullets to local backyard farmers, is still involved with 4-H as a poultry showmanship judge, and writes about his passion for farming.

How to Help Your Chickens Maintain a Healthy Digestive System

February 26, 2021 · Jeremy Chartier · Feed & Health

Add to Favorites Knowing some basic chicken digestive system facts can make us better stewards of our feathered friends. Chickens don’t eat or digest in the same way we do, …

Showing Poultry 101

February 17, 2021 · Jeremy Chartier · Kids' Corner, Poultry 101

Picking show chicken breeds for your first foray into the world of fancy poultry can be as daunting as trying to understand genetics. But with a few simple pointers, you can be on your way to success.

The Best Rooster Breed for Your Flock

February 6, 2021 · Jeremy Chartier · Chickens 101

On the hunt for the best rooster breed for your flock? There’s plenty to choose from, but which breed will work best for you?

What to Feed Baby Chicks to Make Them Thrive

January 28, 2021 · Jeremy Chartier · Feed & Health, Kids' Corner

Knowing what to feed baby chicks is a critical first step to giving them a fighting chance. Precocial as they may be, chicks are still vulnerable to their environment, which is why we as good stewards must give them the tools to survive and thrive.

Why Have My Chickens Stopped Laying Eggs?

December 28, 2020 · Jeremy Chartier · Eggs & Meat

Add to Favorites One day you have a flock of hens merrily clucking away, producing farm-fresh eggs to beat the band. The next day you go to the coop to …

Raising Meat on the Farm for the Holidays and Beyond

December 2, 2020 · Jeremy Chartier · Poultry 101

Add to Favorites Homesteaders looking to grow their food usually start at the easiest entry point and work their way up. Gardening is the simplest and cheapest way to start, …

The Pros & Cons of Coop Heating: Do Chickens Need Heat in Winter?

November 16, 2020 · Jeremy Chartier · Coops

Recently, I’ve been writing about safely heating backyard chicken coops and addressing the question: Do chickens need heat in winter? In New England, we get buried under heaps of snow and experience temperatures in the negatives.

4 Safety Tips for Chicken Heat Lamps

October 20, 2020 · Jeremy Chartier · Coops

Everyone has seen the 250-watt red heat bulbs. Every feed and hardware store stocks them and many poultry keepers have a chicken heat lamp in their coop.