Category Archives: Backyard Chickens

Spring Chicks – Uh-oh, someone had better stop me!!

Posted on February 19, 2013 by hortophile

See on Scoop.it – Common Sense Gardening Or pick up at Fanny Bay location. Red Rocks and Cinnamon Queens are all sexed female. Buff Orpingtons and various mixed breeds are unsexed. Various ages. Pricing as per age of chick starti … Continue reading →

Posted in Backyard Chickens | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Compost Box Improvements!

Posted on October 12, 2012 by hortophile

A while ago (in 2010 actually!) I posted about my compost box, raving on about how much I love composting and how I enjoy producing ‘black gold’ that feeds my garden from the waste that many people throw away or … Continue reading →

Posted in Autumn, Backyard Chickens, Garden Advice | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Free Range Chickens

Posted on May 3, 2012 by hortophile

When I embarked upon this chicken-keeping venture last year I fully intended to let them free-range in my yard.  It’s so much better for them to forage for food and have the freedom to run around and pursue their chicken … Continue reading →

Posted in Backyard Chickens, Spring | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Baby Chicks – Moving Outside

Posted on April 7, 2012 by hortophile

Well my Buff Orpington Chicks have made the transition from garage-dwellers to coop-dwellers.  At 8 weeks old and fully feathered I figured it was time.  Last weekend, on a brilliantly sunny and warm day, I gave the chicken run a … Continue reading →

Posted in Backyard Chickens, Spring | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Baby Chicks – Adding to My Flock

Posted on March 7, 2012 by hortophile

My experience in poultry keeping over the past year has been extremely rewarding.  The chickens satisfy my desire for more critters, give my suburban garden that rural atmosphere I love AND they provide food for my family and potent organic … Continue reading →

Posted in Backyard Chickens | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

The Mystery of the Disappearing Eggs

Posted on February 7, 2012 by hortophile

My little flock of hens bring me much joy and sustenance. In fact, I am enjoying my adventures in chicken-keeping so much that I’m even considering adding to my flock.  However, last week I developed a small problem.  The five … Continue reading →

Posted in Backyard Chickens | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Profusion’

Posted on December 20, 2011 by hortophile

Against the back fence, right beside the chicken run is an inelegant, rather twiggy shrub that overcomes its spring and summer shabbiness with an amazing show of almost artificial looking berries during fall and winter.  Aptly known as Beautyberry, Callicarpa … Continue reading →

Posted in Autumn, Backyard Chickens, Deer resistant plants, Winter | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Rats in the Henhouse!

Posted on December 1, 2011 by hortophile

I thought that my pretty little henhouse was secure, but I was wrong.  Yesterday when I went out to gather eggs I noticed a couple of tunnels inside the run, and the chickens certainly didn’t dig them!  I have rats … Continue reading →

Posted in Autumn, Backyard Chickens, Pest Control | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Happy Hens = Many Eggs!

Posted on September 6, 2011 by hortophile

If, as they say, happy hens lay more eggs, then my girls must be joyous!  Egg production has ramped up considerably, today I got 6 (from 6 hens).  Can’t expect any better than that! I recently screwed up my courage … Continue reading →

Posted in Backyard Chickens, New Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Egg Farming – My First Egg!

Posted on August 14, 2011 by hortophile

Four months exactly from the day I brought my baby chicks home they’ve given me my first egg.  It’s a tiny little thing, light brown, flecked with reddish marks.  The shell feels good and sturdy so I guess they’re nourished … Continue reading →

Posted in Backyard Chickens, New Garden | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments