Walk outside today and listen to the sounds of your homestead/hobby farm/ranch/backyard. Besides the wind rustling through the trees or rumbling of motorized equipment, what else to you hear? Clucking? Bleating? Mooing? Now imagine your slice of heaven without those warm-blooded souls. Does it feel less substantial? Less satisfying? Eerily quiet? Unfortunately, that quiet can […]
All Creatures
Hen House: No Foxes Allowed!
I enjoy my backyard chickens. They entertain us with their antics, provide great material for the compost bin, eat bugs, plus they provide eggs. I can’t imagine a day without them since they are part of our daily routine. But as every chicken keeper knows, it can be over in a moment if a fox […]
Chickens as Pets: The New Urban Trend?
As a farmer’s daughter turned urbanite, I brought my country ways with me. Living near the center of town on a 1/3 acre urban homestead, it was just a matter of time before chickens made an appearance in the backyard. Sure, there are daily chores, but there are also daily fresh eggs. However, I find […]
Backyard Chickens: City Ordinance Example
In 2008, the City of Fort Collins (my home for the past 24 years) passed an ordinance that allowed backyard chickens. Oh sure, there were a few older neighborhoods that had been grandfathered in as ‘agricultural zones’ (meaning they could raise and keep livestock), but the majority of the city fell outside of this designation. […]
Deterring Deer in your Garden by Fencing
Like most people who raise fruits and vegetables, you have a certain sense of pride beginning the moment you sow the seeds. You nurture the plants by adding compost to the soil, fertilizing the young plants, and watering at regular intervals so the plants do not become stressed. As the fruits and vegetables ripen, you […]
Chickens: What is the Deal with Dust Baths?
Owning chickens is a simple pleasure in life. Living in an urban setting with chickens just seems normal for this farmer’s-daughter-turned-urbanite. For all practical matters, the chickens don’t mind where they live, just as long as they have food, water, predator-proof shelter, and an area to take dust baths. What? You haven’t heard of dust […]