I clearly remember our beginning days of keeping a honey bee hive. Gathering tips from other bee keepers was most helpful in getting started. We chose a deep Langstroth hive. Despite some misgivings from family members our hive of honey bees got off to a good start. Before we get into the types of hives, and the location lets discuss the bees themselves. For our first hive we chose to purchase a nuc (short for nuclear colony), from a local apiary. This is not the only way to … [Read more...]
Goat Care and Maintenance of Healthy Goats
Goats have to be one of the most entertaining farm animal to own. Knowing how to perform the required goat care is the most important first step to take, as you begin keeping goats. All breeds of goats need some sort of hoof care, proper nutrition, treatment for preventing worms, and more. Read on, for more information on goat care and maintaining a healthy herd. Proper Goat Care When Raising Goats for Fiber Two popular breeds in the fiber arena are Angora and Pygora goats. Both are … [Read more...]
How to Fix a Muddy Chicken Run
Rainy seasons are necessary but what do we do with the resulting muddy chicken run? Are you tired of muddy eggs, messy coop floors and slippery chicken run? I'm not going to sugar coat it. If you have an extremely muddy chicken run, it will take some labor to return the run to a better state. You will have to correct the grading and the drainage. The good news is, once you do it correctly, it's much easier to avoid a muddy chicken run. the flock spends more time inside the coop if there … [Read more...]
Three Things Chickens Don’t Need For Winter (and three that they do!)
When raising chickens naturally, there are three things chickens don't need for winter. I know it's hard to believe that chickens can and do make it through the winter months, even in very cold climates, without our interfering. How can a chicken possibly survive the cold and reach the warmer spring months healthy and happy? Because this happens over and over. Chickens all over the world weather the winter without these three things chickens don't need for winter. What are … [Read more...]
Keep Your Chicken Coop Smelling Fresh
Here are five quick tips to help you keep your chicken coop smelling fresh. If your coop makes you hold your breath when you go in to collect eggs, think about how the chickens feel! It's not too hard to keep the coop clean and fresh, if you do a little bit of cleaning every few days. I am listing a few important basics for you. Keep Your Chicken Coop Smelling Fresh with These 5 Tips 1. Water and moisture are not your friend. If you slop or spill water when filling the water founts or … [Read more...]
