Happy Hens, Happy Home

Learn the basics of chicken keeping and transform your yard into a harmonious homestead.

- Rachel L.Demeter

Don’t own acres of lands? Didn’t grow up on a farm? No problem. Even if you live in the suburbs, you can raise a few hens and grow a chicken-friendly garden that will complement your farmhouse interior perfectly. Lisa Steele’s eye-opening guide, Gardening with Chickens, will inspire you to roll up your sleeves and reach for your gardening tools. A chicken-keeper extraordinaire and the creative force behind Fresh Eggs Daily, Lisa details the essentials in a friendly, easy to follow style, welcoming newbies and veteran gardeners alike.

EMBRACE NATURE’S BOUNTY

Embrace nature’s bounty by transforming your lawn into a veritable, easy-to-manage chicken buffet. “A wide variety of weeds and grasses are extremely nutritious and will provide your chickens with a healthy, varied diet that will improve the taste and quality of your eggs,” Steele writes. Avoid planting any treated seeds and steer clear of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. These substances are not only harmful to your feathered friends, family members and pets, but they wreck havoc on the environment. 

Chickens love to nibble on a variety of weeds, including dandelions, plantains and clovers. These organic, manageable treats are jam-packed with vitamins and minerals, promoting digestive, respiratory and circulatory health. “I’ve found my chickens love receiving weeds and grasses as part of their diet. Plus, it’s nice to see the cost of buying feed go down as the chickens fill up,” Steele writes. Another added bonus? Your chickens will provide free fertilizer and continue the cycle of life, helping create a fuss-free and harmonious homestead.