February 2010

  • The Raptor Migration Season

    By erika on 2/27/10 12:50am
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    Sharp-shinned hawkSharp-shinned hawkToday I heard a mad squadawk-ing from the direction of the chickens.  I looked outside and saw a Sharp-shinned hawk swoop past the mobile chicken pen (also called a chicken tractor or chicken ark) and perch nearby.  My chicken tractor is completely raptor-proof, and for good reason!  But although I knew he couldn't get in to slaughter my chickens, the hens had no such confidence in my building design.


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  • Grit Versus Shell: What's The Difference?

    By erika on 2/11/10 9:42pm
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    Bird GritBird GritOne of the most common questions asked by new chicken owners is, what's the difference between grit and shell?  Do I need to feed my baby chicks grit?  Do baby chicks need supplemental oyster shell?

    The difference between grit and shell is that grit is just fine gravel.  This has been milled such that it's the right size for your chickens to use in their gizzards.  Chickens don't have teeth to chew their food - it all goes into a pouch called the gizzard.  Chickens swallow small pebbles and bits of rock, which stay in the gizzard.  These help grind up the food inside the gizzard, so that it can be digested farther along the road.


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  • today i saw an eastern bluebird in loganville wisconsin

    By Anonymous on 2/9/10 3:07am
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    rather early youd think