We’ve already talked winter chicken keeping. And as we face temperatures here of -30 with -50 windchill, causing a state-wide shutdown of all schools in Minnesota on Monday, I start to feel the panic. It’s not “new” news for us- last week we faced temps of much the same. I’m a born and raised Minnesotan. […]
How-To Monday: Canning Carrots
Today we are going to can some carrots! Canning carrots is a great way to preserve all the goodness of this tasty crop, and if you love making soups and stews, you will love having these on hand. And it’s so easy- let’s get started! {see printable version HERE} What You Will Need: -carrots-boiling water-canning […]
Roosters: A Complete Guide
If you own chickens, chances are you either: (1) Have a rooster, (2) Had a rooster, or (3) Thought about having a rooster. As in most animal instances, roosters are typically flashier than their female counterparts, making them a desirable spectacle for your farmstead. But perhaps fear of having a “mean” rooster around has […]
Eggs: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know {& More!}
Eggs. The delicious, protein-packed little wonder that turns us poultry raisers into daily treasure hunters. We LOVE our eggs. So when a friend of mine posted an article ragging on the United States for being one of the only countries to sell their eggs in a refrigerated section of the grocery store, I decided to […]
How-To Monday: Canning Turkey Stock {from Thanksgiving leftovers!}
Your big Thanksgiving meal is done and over- but what to do with that big ole’ turkey carcass? In the rising movement of self-sufficiency and cutting down on waste {or better yet- eliminating waste!}, it’s time to give a second thought to throwing out the “scraps”, get back to the basics which the earlier generations […]
How-To Monday: Ready-to-Eat Canned Venison
It’s been a quiet past week here on the blog as we’ve been BUSY around here! We finally got a deer, which means processing, packaging, and a little canning too. And because of our luck, I was able to put together a how-to post on canning up some venison! There are many ways which you […]
The Daily: 11/17/13
“The Daily” is a look at our week here at Yellow Birch Hobby Farm. You can keep up with our photos here and more by “Liking” our Facebook page! Here is our week of November 10th, 2013: Two weeks after losing our cockerel “Aramis” to a predator, this week we had to say another good-bye. […]
Combat the Cold: Let’s Talk Winter Chicken Keeping!
*Updated 1/4/14* Frozen waterers and cooped up cluckers means it’s time to think winter chicken keeping. Quite likely, as the temperature drops, your concern for the comfort and well being of your flock is on the rise. We love our feathered friends, and we want them to be happy. Here are some ways to keep […]
Free-Range Chickens: What is Best for You and Your Flock?
Whether or not to allow your chickens {and other poultry} to free range is a debatable topic, and if you have ever considered it yourself either for your current flock or future flock, there are pros and cons that must be considered against your own personal situation. Pros: 1. Healthy, Natural, Happy It’s a given: […]
The Daily: 11/10/13
Welcome to another week in photos! Here is our week of November 3rd, 2013: {Rifle} Deer Season opened this weekend. And we saw a nice amount of snow to open up the first day. I’ve been bow hunting these past two months {unsuccessfully}, which has really taken its toll on my back. So I for […]