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About the Author

Rhonda Crank

We live as close to nature as is possible for us in a modern world. We use organic, non-gmo practices based on the wisdom and skills my grandparents taught me, with a little modern ingenuity mixed in.

Raising Chicks From Mail Order Sources

January 24, 2022 · Rhonda Crank · Chickens 101

Before your mail order chicks arrive, have some basics ready and waiting.

Raising Heritage Breed Chocolate Turkeys

November 10, 2021 · Rhonda Crank · Poultry 101

Since we already have heritage breed chickens, we wanted to help other endangered poultry. We settled on Chocolate Turkeys.

Black Australorp Breed Profile

June 6, 2021 · Rhonda Crank · Chickens 101

The Black Australorp is one of the heritage chicken breeds we choose to keep. I have found heritage chicken breeds to be hardier than standard breeds. It’s our desire to help preserve them for future generations.

How to Raise Free Range Chickens

May 6, 2021 · Rhonda Crank · Chickens 101

In the discussion of raising chickens, there have been two traditional schools of thought. The first is total free range. Usually, an evening feeding of grain or other treat is used to lure the flock back to the chicken coop for roosting.

How to Tame Aggressive Rooster Behavior

May 4, 2021 · Rhonda Crank · Feed & Health

If you have a rooster, chances are you’ve been spurred or chased. Some breeds are more prone to aggressive rooster behavior than others.

Do you need to Refrigerate Eggs and Wash Them?

March 23, 2020 · Rhonda Crank · Eggs & Meat

Do you really need to refrigerate eggs from your own hens, or even wash them? Read on to cut through some of the confusion.

5 Common Chicken Diseases and Symptoms

March 15, 2019 · Rhonda Crank · Feed & Health

Add to Favorites Not many vets specialize in chicken diseases and symptoms. Finding a good source of information, like Backyard Poultry magazine, is important. We keep chickens from the sustenance …

Speckled Sussex Chicken: A Favorite Backyard Breed

March 14, 2019 · Rhonda Crank · Chickens 101

Add to Favorites I guess every chicken keeper has a favorite backyard chicken breed. While visiting our farm, a young homesteader asked me which of the breeds I currently have do …

How to Build an Automatic Chicken Waterer System for Less Than $150

February 20, 2019 · Rhonda Crank · Coops

Including an automatic waterer system with your mobile coop will save time and effort.

Make the Most of Your Flock with Backyard Poultry!

Your best source for information on all things chicken, quail, turkey, guinea, duck, and beyond. Whether you raise a backyard flock for eggs, meat, show, or just for fun. Backyard Poultry is an essential guide for a diverse community of poultry lovers, accessible to those who live on a farm, in a suburban neighborhood, or are raising poultry in an urban environment. You will find research-based stories and actionable guidance, helping newbies and experts alike avoid costly and tragic mistakes.

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