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Guinea Fowl Care: Housing and Winter Survival
Guinea fowl that are trained to roost inside a shelter at night will outlive those that roost in trees. Guinea fowl have been reported to have lived to be 17 years or older, but unfortunately, more lose their lives to predators than to old age.
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How Snow in Chicken Pens and Runs Affects Your Flock
My chickens love being outside. I keep a light in the coop to welcome them inside during bad weather, when it gets dark early and the rain leaves the open-air chicken pens and runs in puddles.
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A Few Dos And Don’ts When Winter Sets
Before I go too far, let’s take a look at how nature has prepared our feathered friends to survive and basic poultry behavior.
Feathers are designed to resist wind, sun, and precipitation.
Preventing Frozen Chicken Eggs
Here are some cold weather egg tips that might help prevent cracked or fully frozen chicken eggs this winter.
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Raising Meat on the Farm for the Holidays and Beyond
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, …
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Can Chickens Eat Cranberries?
It’s the holidays and cranberries are everywhere. Can chickens eat cranberries? Yes. They make a great treat by themselves or mixed in other recipes.
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Six Winter Keeping Tips for Backyard Chickens
Many people ask: Do chickens need heat in winter? The answer is backyard chickens are far more cold-hardy than you may imagine. Courtesy of fall molting, chickens should have a full set of new fluffy feathers for winter that will keep them perfectly comfortable in temperatures down to 40 degrees and just fine well below freezing, assuming they are in good health.
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Rabbit and Chicken Frostbite Prevention Methods
Rabbit and chicken frostbite occurrences are preventable. Adopting good cold-weather management for your small livestock buildings will go a long way to preventing rabbit and chicken frostbite in the first place.
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A Guide to Duck Shelters for Winter
With their double coat of waterproof feathers over thick, warm fluffy down and a layer of body fat, ducks (regardless of duck breeds) are exceedingly cold-hardy. They love being outdoors year-round in most climates, perfectly happy playing in the rain and even the snow.
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Can Chickens and Ducks Live Together?
“Can chickens and ducks live together?” is one of the most common questions I get from readers. Since I’ve been raising my chickens and ducks in the same coop and run for years, my answer is always yes, but I do have a few cautions if you’re considering a mixed flock.
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