Fences for Goats and Chickens
Barbed wire criss-crossed our Tennessee farm when we moved here four decades ago. Some of the wire was wrapped around or stapled to rickety fence posts. But most of it was nailed or stapled to trees — not a safe...
Can You Dehydrate Watermelon?
The book that came with my Excalibur food dryer says watermelon is “poor for dehydrating.” I say otherwise. It dries nicely, keeps well, and tastes great. Here’s how to dehydrate watermelon: Pick the Right Watermelon Start with a large, fully...
What Is a Hen’s Egg Song?
Every time I hear cackling referred to as a hen’s egg song, I get a little confused. The many studies I’ve read about chicken sounds always refer to pre-laying hen sounds as singing. None refer to a hen’s post-lay cackle...
Is Broodiness Contagious?
What, exactly, causes a chicken to go broody is a subject that baffles even the best poultry scientists. One thing we know is that whether or not a hen decides to brood depends on three interconnecting factors: genetics, hormones, and...
How to Sex Guinea Fowl
How to sex guinea fowl can be mystifying to anyone who hasn’t spent a lot of time around guineas. But it’s not quite so mystifying once you learn the clues to watch for. Vent Sexing Keets (baby guinea fowl) of...
Deworm Goats with Pine Trees — Fact or Fiction?
Deworming goats with prunings from pine trees and similar conifers is much less expensive than using chemicals. It also avoids the issue of internal parasites becoming resistant to chemical products. But can you really deworm goats with pine? Let’s find...
How to Grow Turmeric in Your Garden
Turmeric is, in many ways, similar to ginger. After I discovered how easy ginger is to grow in my garden, I was tempted to try turmeric. I was a bit reluctant, however, because I’d been led to believe turmeric stains...
Egg Size Conversions for Recipes
Most recipes calling for eggs are geared toward large chicken eggs. But what if you have only small bantams eggs? Or extra large duck eggs, or even jumbo turkey eggs? Some recipes can be ruined by using the wrong size...
Tattler Reusable Lids — Do They Work?
Tattler reusable canning lids continue to be the subject of controversy. Some home canners love them. Others can’t seem to make them work. So what are Tattler reusable lids? And more to the point, do they or don’t they seal?...
Frost or Freeze — What’s the Difference?
Frost or freeze? Weather reports often refer to such things as a “light frost” or a “hard freeze.” So what’s the difference between a frost and a freeze. And, more important, what temperature is “light” and what temperature is “hard”?...