Backyard Chicken Tips
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How a Droppings Board Makes Chicken Coop Cleaning a Breeze
If you raise backyard chickens, you know that coop cleaning can sometimes feel like a chore. But with a simple tool like a droppings board, cleaning your chicken coop becomes quick, easy, and surprisingly satisfying! What Is a Droppings Board? A droppings board is a flat, removable board installed just under your hens’ roost bars
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Why a Chicken Tractor Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated (Or Expensive)
If you’re raising backyard chickens, you’ve probably heard of a chicken tractor — a movable coop that lets your birds forage fresh grass daily while staying protected. But here’s the good news: you don’t need a fancy setup or a big budget to build one. In fact, the best chicken tractors are the ones that
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Why Homegrown Chicken Tastes Better — and Is Better for You
There’s something deeply satisfying about sitting down to a meal you’ve raised with your own hands. When that meal includes a bird from your own backyard, the experience goes beyond taste — it becomes a reflection of care, connection, and health. Here’s why raising your own chickens for meat isn’t just about self-sufficiency — it’s
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How Long Should You Rest Fresh Chicken Before Freezing?
How Long Should You Rest Fresh Chicken Before Freezing? A common tip you’ll hear in the poultry world is to let freshly processed whole chickens rest in the fridge for 24 hours before freezing. But is that really necessary? At Open Sky Poultry, we’ve found that 8 hours of chilling works just fine — and
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How to Pluck a Chicken Without a Plucker: Simple Backyard Method
How to Pluck a Chicken Without a Plucker: Simple Backyard Method Don’t have a chicken plucker? No problem. With just hot water, a little patience, and the right technique, you can pluck a chicken by hand in your backyard — no fancy equipment needed. Whether you’re processing your first meat birds or just working on
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Freedom Rangers
🐓 Freedom Rangers: A Natural Meat Bird for Pasture-Based Farming If you’re looking to raise meat chickens that grow slower, forage better, and thrive on pasture, Freedom Rangers might be your perfect flock. These birds are popular among homesteaders and small farms who want a more natural, flavorful, and active meat bird. 🧬 What Are Freedom Rangers?
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Cornish Cross Meat Chickens
🐔 Cornish Cross Meat Chickens: The Ultimate Guide for Backyard Growers If you’re raising chickens for meat, the Cornish Cross is the most popular — and for good reason. These birds grow fast, have large breast meat, and are the same breed used by commercial producers. But backyard farmers can raise them more humanely and naturally
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Where to Buy Meat Birds in Michigan
Where to Buy Meat Birds in Michigan If you’re raising meat birds in Michigan, sourcing high-quality chicks from trusted local hatcheries or poultry farms is crucial. Whether you’re looking for Cornish Cross, Freedom Rangers, or heritage breeds, this guide highlights the top places to buy meat birds in Michigan. Supporting local hatcheries also reduces shipping
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Water Additives for Chickens: Do They Really Help?
Water Additives for Chickens: Do They Really Help? Water additives are a simple way to boost flock health — especially for meat birds that grow quickly and can be more prone to stress and illness. From electrolytes to apple cider vinegar, the right additives can support hydration, digestion, and immune function. But not all are
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Backyard Chicken Butchering: What You Actually Need
Backyard Chicken Butchering: What You Actually Need (No Fluff Guide) Learn how to butcher chickens at home with this step-by-step guide. Discover the exact tools, setup, and tips you need for a clean, humane backyard poultry harvest. 🐔 Why Butcher Chickens at Home? Raising and processing your own meat birds gives you control over your