Update: This animal-free homestead article was written 2 and a half years ago (2019) a bit over a year after we started our journey on a plant-based diet. I call it a journey since we had no idea where it would take us. We thought it was just about what was on our plate to eat. Soon we realized it ...
Raising
Why we are Giving up on Backyard Chickens
Some time ago we were visiting some friends at their farm. After a good meal, we enjoyed the evening together. The big window at the table overlooked the farmyard, and at dusk we watched the proud rooster leading his hens from the big shelterbelt to the barn for the night. Our friend, the farmer, ...
How Much Work Involved to Raise Backyard Chickens
When my niece heard that we raise backyard chickens, she was hooked. However, her husband wasn't as thrilled. Chickens are work, they can smell, and make noise, too. But, do they? How much work is actually involved to raise backyard chickens? Here is a reality check on everything that needs to be ...
Free Chicken Coop From Recycled Doors
Using recycled material to build new structures is fun. It is also very easy and best of all free. Our chickens are indoors in our garage greenhouse. Since we are in zone 3, our winter can be very unpleasant for chicks to be outdoors. Plus caring for them outdoors is no fun either. Our solution to ...
The Deep Chicken Litter Method
A year ago we became happy chicken owners. Even though we both grew up having chickens, to be responsible for them is a different story. We had to learn all about chicken food, litter, and cold protection in the winter. One of the things that we wanted to try, but our parents never did, was the deep ...
Keeping Chickens in Serious Winter
Can you keep chickens in winter... serious winter, like zone 3 winter, where temperatures drop to -40? Well you can, we do and many people around us do it too. So I asked local chicken keepers here in Alberta Canada how they keep chickens in this cold weather. Here are 4 winter chicken keepers ...
Chicken Coop Bedding
This summer we added chickens to our backyard homestead. Very exciting! As new chicken owners we want to keep our chickens as natural and healthy as possible; as northern chicken owners, we want to keep them as warm and dry as possible - it gets really cold here. We want to use the deep litter ...
The Bee Keeping Adventure Begins
Yes that is right, we just picked up our first two beehives yesterday (June 14, 2012). It all started many, many years ago in Sweden, while visiting a beekeeper's farm. It was very interesting and informative. Then relatives who are professional beekeepers, came to visit. Along with bringing us some ...
