Life on the Farm
Luffa is a versatile vine that produces long gourds, which can be turned into durable sponges. Growing luffa requires 90 to 120 days and a sturdy trellis for support. The vines feature beautiful yellow flowers that attract pollinators. After harvesting, the gourds must be dried thoroughly to create sponges.
Bielefelder chicks, like those of other autosex breeds, may be sexed at the time of hatch based on the color and markings of the chicks’ down. As is true for sex link chickens, the autosexing phenomenon takes advantage of genes...
When cold weather keeps us indoors, I have more time for homemade snacks. One of our favorites is warm microwave potato chips. This recipe is easy and fast — no more than 15 minutes — and makes a nice little...
Alektorophobia is the irrational fear of chickens, often stemming from past traumatic experiences. This anxiety disorder leads to extreme reactions, sometimes culminating in panic attacks at the mere thought of chickens. Treatment typically involves gradual exposure to chickens, although severe cases may require therapy. It remains underreported due to embarrassment among sufferers.
Somewhere along the line someone gifted me with a pair of rooster potholders. Even though they were rather small and thin, I thought they were cute. So I used them. That is, until I burned my hand moving a skillet...
Many plants have names that refer to chickens. Some are essentially weeds like the chickweed that tries to take over my garden. Others are ornamentals like hen and chicks, which grow either indoors or out. Here are nine fun chicken-theme...
Lavender, or a sort of pastel slate blue, is one of the loveliest plumage colors in chickens. The color lavender is not common, primarily because of the breeding challenges involved. Still, several breeds come in lavender varieties, including Ameraucana, Marans,...
Every few years our Yukon gold potatoes develop seed pods, also known and potato berries, that look like little green cherry tomatoes. Last year we had an abundant crop of potato berries, so I wondered if you can grow potatoes...
If you are considering getting ducks, you likely already have chickens. To help you understand the habits and needs of ducks, here are just of the many ways ducks differ from chickens. Brooding Requirements Ducklings in general are much hardier...
Decades ago a restaurant in the town where we do our shopping served an amazing fresh strawberry pie that my husband Allan and I always stopped to enjoy. Then one day they switched to aspartame. Thereafter, we decided that if...
How difficult can it be to make perfect hard boiled eggs? All you need is eggs and hot water, right? Well, not exactly. Of the many methods I have tried, some resulted in eggs that were impossible to peel. Others...
