Author Archives: lionoatmealpluto23254

By Harvey Ussery |Updated on December 10, 2024 EmailPrint FacebookPinterestX by Adobestock/AndyMellow Learn about methods for breeding heritage chickens to achieve a hardy and productive flock designed for the modern homesteader. Many of us who keep backyard flocks are aware that industrial chicken breeds from commercial hatcheries aren’t the best option if we’re hoping to raiseContinue reading “Breeding Heritage Chickens: Why Not to Rely on Chicken Hatcheries”

We do not grow our own seeds. It is simply too time-consuming, we don’t have the experience, and we do not have enough land to grow many items. If you are looking for seeds, here are some places to try: Online: My three favorite places are MiGardener, Bentley, and Seed Savers Exchange. You cannot beatContinue reading “Seed Companies”

January 17, 2026: We still have tons and tons of eggs. Only a partial amount are shown. They will not hatch. $3 per dozen. December 2025$3.00 per dozen. Please send a message for pick-up. They will not hatch as they have been refrigerated. I have at least 6-9 dozen available now and will have moreContinue reading “$3 Eggs (Dec. 2025)”

This is an opinion article quoted from Poultry Hatch. Lower in our blog is an entirely different opinion article on why you should buy from Local Farms. Both give different perspectives so you can make the best choice for you. Why You Shouldn’t Buy Chickens from Local Farms: 10 Strong Reasons to Choose a HatcheryContinue reading “Opinion: Should I buy from Breeders or Hatcheries?”

Discover 7 impactful ways to help save endangered heritage chicken breeds, from backyard raising to supporting conservation organizations—preserving vital genetic diversity for our future. Heritage chicken breeds are disappearing at an alarming rate, with over 75% of traditional poultry varieties now endangered or at risk of extinction. These historic breeds—prized for their genetic diversity, naturalContinue reading “7 Ways to Support Heritage Chicken Breed Preservation”

A poultry farmer offers up the lessons she learned after constructing her own DIY egg incubator cabinet to hatch rare heritage chicks. |Updated on February 17, 2025 A poultry farmer offers up the lessons she learned after building a homemade egg incubator cabinet to hatch rare heritage chicks. My current homemade incubator must be theContinue reading “Build a Homemade Egg Incubator”

OUR MISSION To protect America’s endangered livestock and poultry breeds from extinction. Why save them? Many of America’s once-common farm animals face extinction if we do not take action now. Rare farm animals represent an irreplaceable piece of earth’s biodiversity and offer incredible variety that may be needed for future farms – robust health, motheringContinue reading “The Livestock Conservancy”

Sometimes when you have been working with certain topics for a long period of time you forget that not everyone has the same level of understanding that you do. A recent case in the news about the bird flu, which don’t get me wrong is a big problem  was where a backyard person in NewContinue reading “Understanding Bird Flu”

If you have a backyard hobby of raising chickens, you may be surprised to learn that it can actually be a profitable venture. There are several ways to make money from chickens, whether it’s selling eggs, breeding and selling chicks, or even offering chicken-related products and services. In this article, we’ll explore some ideas toContinue reading “From Hobby to Business: How to Make Money From Chickens”

Black Sex Link Chickens are well known hybrids that produce an abundance of eggs and tend to be tolerant to heat and cold weather. These are just a few reasons why this breed has become increasingly popular. Black Sex Link Chicken Breed History The origin of Sex Links is not entirely clear, and information tendsContinue reading “Black Sexlink Chicken Breed”

Wyandotte Chickens are best known for their unique appearance of stunning feathers and ability to be a dual-purpose bird. For these reasons and many more they can be found in backyards across the states. Silver Laced Wyandotte Chicken Breed History Wyandottes originated in the United States in the 1870’s by a group of four individuals.Continue reading “Silver Laced Wyandotte Chicken Breed”

Barred Rock chickens are known for their hardiness, broodiness, and easy-going personality. These desirable traits coupled with their ability to be dual purpose; it is no wonder why they are so popular with homesteaders. Barred Rocks are a variation of Plymouth Rocks, and their name is often used interchangeably. Barred Rock Chicken Breed History BarredContinue reading “Plymouth Barred Rock Chicken Breed”

Don’t despair if your straight run chicken count includes more cockerels than you’re inclined to keep. |Updated on April 28, 2025 The author keeps her cockerels in “bachelor tractors” so they can forage for greens and bugs. Can you eat roosters? Don’t despair if your straight run chicken count includes more cockerels than you’re inclinedContinue reading “Can You Eat Roosters?”

Look out for these common broiler chicken health issues. Broiler chicken health problems primarily relate to rapid growth and heavy weight. Common issues for commercial strain broilers are lameness, breast blister, and heart failure. Among utility breeds, breast blister is the most common health concern. Lameness Commercial-strain Cornish-cross broilers are developed for such rapid growthContinue reading “Broiler Chicken Health Problems”

Silkie Chickens (AKA Silkies) are best known for their unique appearance and docile temperament. For these reasons and much more Silkies can be found in backyards all around the world. Silkie Chicken Breed History Silkie Chickens originated in Asia, most likely China, Japan, and possibly even India. The exact origin of this breed is unknownContinue reading “Silkie Chicken Breed”

Wondering where to buy your chickens from? Debating between local farms and well known hatcheries? Below is part of an opinion article from Mother Earth News explaining why chicken hatcheries might not be the best choice for adding to or starting your flock. Breeding Heritage Chickens: Why Not to Rely on Chicken Hatcheries Learn aboutContinue reading “Heritage Chickens”

Eggs, Eggs, and more Eggs Starting January 1, 2025; we are selling eggs. This is the first year that I have not offered eggs for free for at least part of the year. Please bring your own cartons if you can. These will NOT hatch. Eggs are not washed but they have been frigerated. IContinue reading “Fresh Eggs – $3.00 Dozen (Jan. 2025)”

Barred Rock Pullets (Scroll down for eggs): SOLD OUT AS OF 1-10-2025 of barred rocks but I still have the 8 below and EGGS Barred Rock Pullets. $5.00 each. I now have 5 pullets left and 3 roosters. Born November 4-5, 2024 so they are 2 months old. $25 for all 6–must go together. PictureContinue reading “$3 Eggs and Chicks January 2025”

Seeds SOLD OUT FOR 2025 All seeds are $1.00 per package-will increase to $2.00 per package in January 2026 Heirloom non-GMO seeds. Guaranteed for 1 year. I no longer sell plants. My contract with the seed company states that I cannot sell them online. Therefore, just like chickens, I do not ship seeds or plants.Continue reading “Seeds 2025”

December 2024: We still have free eggs if anyone is interested. We will most likely discontinue this in January 2025 as feed is high Please send us a message for the address November 2024 Update: We still have FREE eggs. Please send a message for the address. FREE EGGS. Please send a message for theContinue reading “FREE EGGS 2024”

Starting a DIY mealworm farm is cheap, easy, and fun!  You can raise mealworms for chickens and wild birds alike. They also make excellent fishing bait and can even be eaten by humans (apparently, they are quite tasty).  So whether you are raising mealworms for chickens or wild birds, have pets that depend on them, or like to fish, a mealworms farm can beContinue reading “How To Start A Mealworm Farm: A Comprehensive Guide For Beginners”

Our juvenile birds roaming together. We don’t separate them usually until they are old enough to breed. October 2024 End of 2024 to January 2025 End of 2024 and 2025

There may be a few people out there old enough to remember the old Weekly Readers that you got in grade school. Growing up in the late 60’s and early 70s in the remote town of Salmon, Idaho where at that time we didn’t have much TV, it was a pretty good way to keepContinue reading “When Will We Listen To The Silence Of Nature”

Welcome to the world of  home canning.  Water bath canning is the perfect place for a beginning canner to start. By the end of this article you’ll know how to water bath can many foods and pull out your canner and start with some simple projects.    Water bath canning is a method of foodContinue reading “Water Bath Canning ; Beginner Friendly Tips and Instruction”

Considering Hamburg chickens? The 16 things you must know first Breeds Hamburg chickens are wild, spirited, and, most notably, beautiful. These birds are active, full of energy, and love adventure. They love to forage, explore, and even like to fly. They also have an opinion on everything and make sure that you know it. AndContinue reading “Hamburg Chickens”

Meet rare and heritage chicken breeds. These are special kinds of chickens with old-time roots. Heritage chickens must live outside on grass to be real heritage birds. They are not just any old chicken; they’re like the superheroes of the poultry world because they can have babies naturally for many years. Heritage breeds are different fromContinue reading “Rare and Heritage Chicken Breeds: Preservation and Care”

Poultry that we breed 2024/2025 Barred Rock Barred Rock chickens are a heritage breed developed in New England. They are one of America’s oldest breeds. They are used mainly for egg production and lay around 250 brown eggs per year. These will most likely go broody and are great mothers. LIGHT BRAHMA Most hatchery Light Brahma’sContinue reading “Poultry 2024”