About the Author

Kenny Coogan

Kenny Coogan is a food, farm, and flower columnist. Coogan leads workshops about owning chickens, vegetable gardening, animal training, and corporate team building on his homestead. His newest book 99 ½ Homesteading Poems: A Backyard Guide to Raising Creatures, Growing Opportunity, and Cultivating Communityis now available at kennycoogan.com.
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Articles by Kenny Coogan

5 Quail Species to Raise
August 20, 2022 · · Poultry 101

When considering quail species to raise; size, egg production, and temperament should lead your decision making. Some species may be kept in coveys, perfect for larger-scale productions.

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Tips for Raising Runner Ducks
August 15, 2022 · · Poultry 101

Keeping Runner ducks combines the benefits of raising poultry with the entertainment of watching penguin-like bowling pins forage around the yard. After dabbling in call ducks, I increased my flock to include Fawn and White Runner ducks.

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Patriotic Poultry: What did our Founding Fathers Raise?

On this Fourth of July, I dug into some of our founding fathers’ archives to see if they had a passion for poultry like we do today.

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How to Paint Feathers
May 13, 2022 · · Poultry 101

Ryan McGhee learned how to paint feathers and now uses his wildlife portraiture to bring attention to endangered species.

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Go Green this Earth Day with your Backyard Poultry

Go even more green and sustainable with your backyard bird operation with these tips for Earth Day.

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Good Pigeon Loft Design Can Help Your Pigeons Stay Healthy
February 1, 2022 · · Poultry 101

Pigeons are adaptable, hardy, and agile. And although the types of pigeons range in size and function, all pigeons have similar husbandry requirements.

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Shetland Geese and Steinbacher Geese
November 18, 2021 · · Geese, Poultry 101

The Shetland and Steinbacher geese are both listed as critical — the most severe listing from The Livestock Conservancy. This means that there are fewer than 500 birds in the U.S., with five or fewer primary breeding flocks (50 birds or more), and less than 1,000 around the world.

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Cheap Cheap Chicken Coops
November 4, 2021 · · Coops

Chickens are cheap, but the most expensive cost that you will endure is their housing. Be inspired by cheap chicken coops.

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Why Don’t Ducks’ Feet Freeze?
October 26, 2021 · · Poultry 101

Why don’t ducks’ feet freeze? Waterfowl, including penguins and flamingoes, have countercurrent heat exchange systems in their legs, which enable them to keep their feet submerged in icy cold water or stand on ice for hours.

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The Evolution of Poultry Farming in America
October 12, 2021 · · Poultry 101

Large-scale and backyard poultry farming seem to oscillate every couple of generations. Here’s a short history of poultry farming in the U.S.

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