Build Grow Preserve

In this backyard chicken guide, we discuss everything you need to know about raising egg-laying chickens (including a FREE PDF on the most important things to know, and those things that maybe aren't so important). From coop setup and feeding to chick care and planning for egg production, all in a simple, easy-to-reference format. We are fortunate to raise a year's worth of meat, and we love raising meat chickens in the spring. They are some of the best homestead animals. But keeping a flock of backyard egg-laying chickens is a priority in our home because of the number of people we have to feed.

Whether fresh, powdered, or dried, try ginger for poultry health. Ingesting ginger can help with digestion and works to soothe the gastrointestinal tract, eliminate harmful bacteria, and support good bacteria. When most of us think of ginger, we likely think of ginger ale as a digestive aid or to quell nausea. And that seems to be the main way that most use ginger, but this delicious, slightly spicy herb has a lot more benefits for us as well as for our chickens. I first discovered that ginger for poultry health is a good choice after tossing them some peels along with other kitchen scraps after making dinner. After that, I always made it a point to save the peels and discarded ends for them. How do you add Ginger to your Chickens Diets. Knowing some of the health benefits of ginger to humans, I logically reasoned that adding some ginger to my chickens’ diets would also be beneficial to them: ingesting ginger, whether fresh, powdered or dried, can help with digestion and works to soothe the gastrointestinal tract, eliminate harmful bacteria and support the good bacteria.

Every spring, a bewildering number of new soil enrichment and fertilizer products appear on the shelves of stores. Ads for new products promising wonders for any vegetable garden arrive weekly in flyers, gardening magazines, mail-order catalogs, or stacked in piles at local garden supply, hardware, or big box stores. Sometimes, forgotten among all the hype, even among chicken flock owners, is that the humble homestead hen isn’t just an egg-laying machine but a soil amendment maker, a poop-producing powerhouse. Chicken poop, sometimes called ‘black gold,’ is available free of charge for use as a garden fertilizer for anyone who keeps chickens or knows someone who does. All it takes to turn this fabulous resource into ‘black gold’ is a little attention to the handling of chicken poop and a little patience. Chicken manure is considered a complete fertilizer, but what are its benefits.

Here are some tips that will help prevent cracked, frozen eggs this winter. I often get asked: do eggs need to be refrigerated. Freshly laid eggs will keep out on the counter at room temperature for a week or two as long as they aren't washed. Washing chicken eggs removes the "bloom" which keeps air and bacteria from getting into the egg. If you find eggs your chickens have hidden in the chicken coop or yard during the warm months, you can be pretty sure they are still good to eat. (And if you aren't sure how old an egg is, simply perform an egg freshness test. ) In fact, I often leave a bowl of eggs on the counter after collecting them instead of putting them in the refrigerator so I can enjoy how pretty they are and also because room temperature eggs are better for baking.

The article Make the Best Seed Starting Mix for Dirt Cheap (It's Organic Too) appeared first on Garden Betty. The best seed starting mix needs only three ingredients, and you can find them all in your local garden center. Save money with this simple recipe you can easily make at home (without complicated soil amendments and fertilizers). Read other Garden Betty articles from Linda Ly.

The article Where to Find Quality Seeds For Free or Cheap appeared first on Garden Betty. Seed costs are up and packet sizes are down—but your wallet (and your garden) doesn’t have to suffer. I'm sharing smart ways to get free seeds locally, plus my favorite sources for buying quality seeds on the cheap. Read other Garden Betty articles from Linda Ly.

The article Don't Make These 5 Mistakes When Buying Seeds appeared first on Garden Betty. It's easy to get carried away when you're flipping through catalogs or browsing seed displays in a store. Save yourself from disappointment and watch out for these common mistakes many people make when ordering seeds. Read other Garden Betty articles from Linda Ly.

The post Your February Garden Checklist: Planting, Chores, and Maintenance is by Sarah Jay and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog. It’s time to get your February garden checklist out and start checking it off. While the garden sleeps in most parts of North America, there are many tasks to carry out. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay helps you write your list and cross off each item here. The post Your February Garden Checklist: Planting, Chores, and Maintenance is by Sarah Jay and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

The post 7 Vegetable Seeds to Start in December is by Sarah Jay and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog. When should your vegetable seeds start. December is a great time for direct seeding in some instances, and sowing indoors in others. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay covers seven seeds you can start in both cases to achieve cool-weather harvests and prepare for spring. The post 7 Vegetable Seeds to Start in December is by Sarah Jay and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

he post How to Protect Your Outdoor Potted Plants From Cold and Frost is by Sarah Jay and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog. When it’s time to protect potted plants, cold weather can be a threat, but it’s not a death sentence. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay covers all the ways you can protect your outdoor plants in containers. There are multiple methods to help outdoor container plants survive. The post How to Protect Your Outdoor Potted Plants From Cold and Frost is by Sarah Jay and appeared first on Epic Gardening, the best urban gardening, hydroponic gardening, and aquaponic gardening blog.

Come learn how to make homemade salt dough ornaments. Made with only three simple ingredients, this easy recipe is perfect for special keepsakes like handprints, footprints and paw prints – or use cookie cutters to create festive shapes like stars or snowflakes. You can leave salt dough ornaments plain or decorate them with paint, glitter, bells and more. I've included tips on how to seal them to last as long as possible too. Enjoy this fun holiday craft project with kids, friends, or the whole family. I love to make DIY salt dough ornaments with the footprints of our beloved pets, including my soul kitty Bodhi Moon and our 12 year old chicken Hennifer. I will cherish this ridiculous golden chicken foot forever. What is Salt Dough. Salt dough is a simple, natural, malleable dough made from flour, salt, and water. It's a great inexpensive alternative to clay and can be used in a wide variety of crafts including ornaments.

For most of human history, families have depended on grazing animals to feed themselves. The sun hits the grass, the grass feeds the cow, and the cow feeds the family. Simple, repeatable, reliable.