GenAcres Homestead

GROWING KALE FOR YOUR CHICKENS!   Did you know that chickens who dine on kale regularly lay eggs with more vibrant yolks and stronger shells?" This statement may come as a surprise to many of us, as kale is often viewed as a trendy superfood for humans.  But what if I told you that growing kale for your chickens can not only improve their health, but also benefit your own diet? From its easy cultivation to its nutritional benefits, kale is the perfect addition to your backyard chicken feed. In this article, we will explore the reasons why growing kale for your chickens is a win-win situation and how to do it successfully. So grab your gardening gloves and let's get started on this leafy adventure! Why Grow Kale for your Chickens ? Kale is high in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A and calcium, which are good for bone health and egg production. Kale can help with a chicken's digestion. Kale can support a chicken's immune system. Darker yolks: Dark leafy greens

  Chicken feed certainly isn't cheep! Luckily, there are some ways you can reduce your bagged chicken feed bill. Feeding your hens food scraps from your leftover meals is certainly one. But for putting a bigger dent in that feed bill, grow some healthy feed alternatives right there in your backyard or homestead. Herbs are a wonderful choice to grow for your chickens. Not only do chickens like to eat many different herbs, but most herbs have some other uses you may want to try in the chicken coop and run. A hardy perennial in Zones 5 – 10 gardens, Oregano is a pungently aromatic plant that is one of the most important herbs in Italian, Greek and Mexican cooking.  It has a bold flavor and a hardy constitution.  It is also called Wild Marjoram. The flavor of Oregano can vary greatly from variety to variety.  Greek Oregano is the spiciest.  Why Feed Oregano to Chickens Immune system: Oregano can strengthen a chicken's immune system, helping to protect against common illnesses like

  The perennial shrub, Thyme, certainly deserves a place in every herb garden.  Not only is it one of the most useful plants in the kitchen, but it also has attractive foliage, long-lasting flowers and it's an easy-to-care-for compact plant.  English Thyme is used most often in cooking. Types of culinary Thyme include Thymus Vulgaris, also referred to as Common Thyme, and include summer, winter, and French Thyme.  Why Feed Thyme to your Chickens Thyme is one of the best herbs to add to your chicken feed for aiding in the respiratory health of your chickens. Thyme also has antibiotic and antibacterial properties, along with being a natural system to boost their immune system. You can provide it to your flock with Thyme by giving it to them fresh so they can eat it when they choose, or you can add the dried herb to their feed. Another great way to use Thyme is in their dust baths where they can benefit from the essential oils in the plants. Starting Thyme From Seed Thyme seeds are di

    WINTER SOWING 101 What is it and Why is it So Popular? In a nutshell, winter sowing, or winter seed sowing, is sowing seeds indoors in the winter in mini greenhouse-like containers, like milk jugs or other recycled containers, and setting the containers outside in the winter elements until Mother Nature germinates the seeds in the spring.  That basically is the winter sowing method.

GROWING ARUGULA FOR CHICKENS! Chicken feed isn't cheep!  Luckily, there are some ways that you can reduce your bagged chicken feed bill. Feeding your hens food scraps from your leftover meals is certainly one. But for putting a bigger dent in that feed bill, grow some healthy feed alternatives right there in your backyard or homestead. Most greens are a wonderful choice to grow for your chickens.  Why Feed Arugula to Chickens? Arugula is quite good for chickens.  In fact, it is superior to many other leafy vegetables thanks to its abundance of vitamins and minerals all of which can help chickens thrive. Arugula is commonly classified as a superfood among other leafy vegetables and is packed with a ton of nutrition, both in  vitamin and mineral form. Arugula contains a phenomenal amount of vitamin K, folate, vitamin C, vitamin A equivalent, and beta-carotene, and it still contains a respectable amount of vitamins B2, B6, and vitamin E. The leaves of Arugula will grow a rosette about