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Intro to Egg Laying Chickens Now that you have raised your flock successfully to adulthood, you may want to consider mating the chickens you have. Assuming you have a rooster, mating your chickens allows you to increase the size of your flock and ensures that you will continue to have fresh eggs. Roosters are not allowed in all areas, as local bylaws and neighborhood covenants might forbid roosters. Investigate your local regulations before you purchase roosters to avoid running afoul of the law. Breeding Methods for Chickens There are two different methods of mating your chickens: breeding and multiplying. Breeding...

Composting is Great Did you know that in the United States, nearly 32% of the total waste generated is from organic sources? Did you also know that 18% of the global anthropogenic methane emissions are derived from landfill waste? One method to alleviate this strain on landfills and the environment is to compost your waste.  And composting with BSFL is a great way to reduce greenhouse gases. Composting can improve the quality and fertility of soils. Perhaps you compost already, but are you getting the full benefits? Have you considered utilizing insects to help in decomposition? Research suggests that black...

Intro to Crickets House crickets, Acheta domesticus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), make a great feeder insect for your reptiles or chickens. In fact, rearing crickets ensures that you have a constant supply for your pets, especially during the colder months. As mentioned in our article [ab1] about raising chickens, crickets have high protein levels and contain high amounts of digestible amino acids. Be sure to watch our YouTube video[ab2] for information about care of your crickets after receiving them in the mail.  Cricket Lifecycle Rearing insects can be a relatively easy task, but it will require maintenance and planning. To begin, it...

Why are Crickets great for Chickens? Crickets are well known as a great reptile food.  They are loaded with protein, which is great for growing reptiles and amphibians.  They are creepy and crawly and jumpy, which is great for stimulating prey-drive in predators.  And they breed quickly, which is great for pets that need to feast on a lot of crickets.   But did you know crickets are a great food supplement for chickens?  Most chicken keepers provide their chickens with the typical chicken feed from their local farm store.  There is nothing wrong with that.  The chicken feed is designed...

Feeding Schedule for Adult Chickens Did you know that a 2011 consumer survey conducted by USFRA (U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance) estimated that 72% of U.S. consumers are not familiar with farming or where their food comes from? By raising chickens, you are entering an exciting new world of understanding how our food is produced. The following article will help you understand how to properly feed your chickens for optimal performance.  Although dietary needs of chickens will change depending upon their age, bear in mind that a varied diet will ensure that they are receiving proper nutrition. The chickens we...