You probably hear that apple cider vinegar is healthy for your backyard flock. But do you know why?

We rely on apple cider vinegar on our farm. Buuuttt…I have some hard and fast rules when it comes to this magic liquid. 

I’ll tell you one right now: I think homemade apple cider vinegar is the best there is.

So, in this episode we get down and dirty about ACV.

You’ll learn:

  • Why ACV is so healthy for your hens
  • How to make it at home
  • Where to score my instructional video
  • What the studies tell us about its impact on your flock’s health

Links we discuss:

Manna Pro Poultry

Where to get my instructional apple cider vinegar video

Where to buy Bragg’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Where to buy my favorite fermenting kit

I’d like to hear from you!

Do you feed your chickens apple cider vinegar? Leave a comment below!

There’s been a lot of buzz (and wrong information) about the FDA’s new Veterinary Feed Directive, so I wanted to address it here.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, the US Food & Drug Administration released a Final Rule (regulations that will be codified into law) that removed certain antibiotics from the market, namely, antibiotics that livestock yards and industrial chicken farms put in feed and water.

(Full disclosure: I worked for the Food & Drug Administration for about 10 years prior to starting this blog)

There’s been a lot of twitter on the internet that over-the-counter injectable antibiotics will be removed from the market, and advice out there to stock up before it’s gone.

A lot of backyard chicken owners and livestock owners are worried about whether they will have access to antibiotics after the rule takes effect in January. 

After reading the Final Rule and the guidances FDA issued, I formed a different opinion about how the Veterinary Feed Directive effects backyard chicken keepers and farmers.

Here’s my thoughts (and how I’m preparing):

I’d like to hear from you!

What do you think of this new law? Leave a comment below!

Well, today was one of those days, and in this video I show you how to help a wounded chicken.

One of our neighbor’s dogs got loose and got one of our roosters. The chicken is doing well, but definitely needed some help.

He lost a LOT of feathers (no tail feathers left!) and had some bite wounds on his back.

In this video, I show you:

  • How to help a wounded chicken (demonstration on a real, live chicken)
  • My favorite recipe including oregano essential oil and coconut oil
  • Why a chicken saddle isn’t the best idea when a rooster looses his feathers
  • How to know when to isolate a wounded chicken

(A lot of you ask which oils I personally use. Here’s everything you need to know!)

While it might seem frivolous to give your backyard chickens holiday gifts, the truth is winter is an easy time for them to develop bad habits.

When they’re stuck in the coop all day, they’ll need a distraction to prevent stress.

In this episode, we discuss find 5 winter gifts to give your backyard flock to reduce stress, keep their diet in tip top shape, and squash negative behaviors before they begin. 

These are tried-and-tested suggestions that work wonders – and the best part is you can buy them or make them at home.

Links we discuss:

Visit Manna Pro

Where to by Chickens: Naturally Raising A Sustainable Flock

Where to buy a chicken swing

Where to buy a xylophone

Where to buy FrugalChicken Nesting Box Herbs

Where to buy Manna Pro Mealworm Medley

Where to buy a suet cake hanging basket

Where to buy a treat dispenser

Where to buy Manna Pro Harvest Delight

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I’d like to hear from you!

Do you think you’ll try to make any of these gifts? Leave a comment below!

Although it’s winter, now is the time to start thinking about what breeds you want to add to your backyard chicken flock.

While all chickens will lay eggs, some are better layers than others. In this episode, we talk about 5 breeds you can add to your flock for consistent egg production. They also make great pets!

You’ll learn:

  • Which breeds I’m planning to add
  • Why you need to start thinking about your perfect flock now and not in the spring
  • Which breeds will give you blue eggs
  • Why I love Production Reds out of all the available layer breeds out there.

Links we discuss:

Manna Pro Poultry Feeds

Chickens: Naturally Raising a Sustainable Flock

Araucana, Ameraucana, & Easter Egger Chickens: 3 Breeds For Blue Eggs

385x470 organic ad_frugal_chicken

I’d like to hear from you!

What breeds of chickens will you add to your flock this spring? Which is your favorite? Leave a comment below!

A Cluckin’ Good Time is a Facebook Live Stream Show that I’ve developed along with my friend, Mindy Young of Farm Fit Living.

We talk about homesteading, kitchen hacks, chickens, goats, livestock, and pretty much anything that we think of. Lots of audience participation!

A Cluckin’ Good Time airs Sunday nights at 7pm EST/6pm Central. You can view the show anytime – we leave it up on the FrugalChicken Facebook page for you to enjoy!

In this week’s episode, we discuss:

      • Our Thanksgiving plans (including Mindy’s recipe for simplifying pumpkin puree so it makes holiday pie making a snap)
      • Why it’s important to learn from every livestock experience
      • Our personal opinions on free ranging (and whether we free range our flocks)
      • Our funny holiday corn stories (with stories shared by our audience!)
      • My simple 2 step recipe for a homemade household cleaner using lemon and wild orange essential oils

Links we discuss:

Where to get my top essential oils for the homestead

Mindy’s new children’s book Sam The Beagle you can get for free on Amazon

I’d like to hear from you!

What was your favorite part of this episode of A Cluckin’ Good Time? Leave a comment below!