About the Author

Marissa Ames

Editor of Goat Journal and Backyard Poultry magazines, Marissa Ames runs a small homestead in Fallon, Nevada, where she focuses on saving and propagating rare breeds of goats and garden vegetables. She and her husband, Russ, travel to Africa where they serve as agricultural advisors for the nonprofit I Am Zambia. She spends her free time eating lunch.
Read More

Articles by Marissa Ames

Modern Tips for Hatching Eggs for Kids in Classrooms
February 27, 2024 · · Eggs & Meat, Kids' Corner

The rules have changed.
When I was a kid, hatching eggs for kids in schools was as simple as bringing in eggs and an incubator.

Read More
Raising Meat Chickens: 4 Lessons Learned
August 23, 2023 · · Eggs & Meat

Learn 4 lessons for raising meat chickens from an experienced farmer including keeping your chickens humanely and organically.

Read More
Incubating Duck Eggs with Chicken Eggs
January 12, 2023 · · Eggs & Meat

If you have already tried incubating chicken eggs, you know how addicting it can be. Have you tried incubating duck eggs?

Read More
Building a Solar Chicken Coop Heater
December 7, 2022 · · Coops

Do chickens need heat in winter? Is it worth the fire risk? A solar chicken coop heater could solve both problems to keep birds safe when temperatures plummet.

Read More
Simple Turkey Brine Techniques
November 2, 2022 · · Eggs & Meat

We love our turkey dinners, especially toward the end of the year, but we’ve all suffered from dry, tasteless white meat that must be smothered in gravy to be palatable.

Read More
Egg Facts and Egg Dishes Around the World
October 26, 2022 · · Eggs & Meat, Recipes

Try egg dishes around the world for healthy, delicious, full of protein, economical, and easy-to-prepare food while learning a few egg facts.

Read More
Raising Baby Chicks: A Beginner’s Guide
August 29, 2022 · · Chickens 101, Kids' Corner

Here’s what you need to know about raising baby chicks before you bring them home.

Read More
How Long Do Chicks Need a Heat Lamp?
August 26, 2022 · · Chickens 101, Feed & Health

Do chickens need heat in winter? Only the babies, and only for a short time. But how long do chicks need a heat lamp?

Read More
Corn for Chickens and Other Chicken Myths
August 15, 2022 · · Feed & Health

Even experienced chicken owners still believe a few old wives’ tales. While some chicken myths are harmless, others can be dangerous.

Read More
Heritage Poultry
August 14, 2022 · · Poultry 101

Some of us raise poultry for fun. Others want eggs or meat. But some take activism further and save heritage poultry breeds from extinction.

Read More