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.
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Articles by Marissa Ames

The Top 15 Best Brown Egg Layers
October 1, 2019 · · Flock Files

Brown egg laying hens consistently appear on best egg layer lists and can be the backbone of a productive backyard flock, many laying more than 200 eggs per year.

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My Inexpensive, Low-Energy, Automatic Chicken Water Heater
October 1, 2019 · · Coops

With winter looming, I needed an inexpensive, worry-free way to keep my chickens’ water from freezing. Inspiration was hatched at the thrift store by a used curling iron that consumes only 13 watts of power.

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Ask the Expert October/November 2019
September 29, 2019 · · Ask The Expert, Members Only

Ask our poultry experts about your flock’s health, feed, production, housing and more! Please note that although our team has dozens of years of experience, we are not licensed veterinarians. For serious life and death matters, we advise you to consult with your local veterinarian.

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Backyard Poultry October/November 2019
September 10, 2019 · · Magazine Previews

The October/November 2019 issue is now available! Subscribe for stories on turkey processing, guinea-chicken hybrids, PLUS a new health feature co-written by a medical professional and a university poultry specialist.

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Backyard Poultry August/September 2019
July 10, 2019 · · Magazine Previews

Backyard Poultry August/September 2019 • 14/4 is NOW AVAILABLE! Subscribe for stories on Coolest Coops, making a chicken swing, using the deep litter method, and the APA flock inspection program.

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Ask the Expert — August/September 2019
June 7, 2019 · · Ask The Expert, Members Only

Ask our poultry experts about your flock’s health, feed, production, housing and more! Please note that although our team has dozens of years of experience, we are not licensed veterinarians. For serious life and death matters, we advise you to consult with your local veterinarian.

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Top 10 Duck Raising Questions Answered
June 1, 2019 · · Flock Files

Whether you are a first-time homesteader on a journey to learn how to raise ducks or have hatched more flocks than you can count, here are 10 duck raising questions that both novices and experts often have.

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How to Tame Aggressive Roosters
June 1, 2019 · · Flock Files

If you have a rooster, chances are you’ve been spurred or chased. Stopping aggressive behavior is not impossible. Differences in breed, individual temperament and the time he has been allowed to exhibit aggressive behavior all play a part in the difficulty of stopping attacks, but you can do it!

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How to Care for Ducklings
June 1, 2019 · · Flock Files, Kids' Corner

Learning how to care for ducklings is a little different than learning how to care for chicks. Though they have similar overall needs for food, water, warmth, and safety, ducklings require some important modifications to their environment.

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When Can Chicks Go Outside?
May 31, 2019 · · Flock Files

When can chicks go outside? Chicks can go out permanently when “fully feathered,” meaning all fluff has been replaced by true plumage. If even the neck still has fluff, brooder …

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