Raccoons are attracted to chicken coops because they can provide several easy food sources in one place. Eggs, chicks, chicken feed, pet food, garbage, and food scraps can all encourage repeated visits. They are also capable climbers and have dexterous front paws that allow them to manipulate simple latches and reach through openings. A weak…
Planting around a chicken coop can do more than make your backyard look attractive. The right plants can provide shade, forage, ground cover, seasonal treats, natural barriers, and useful herbs while creating a more comfortable environment for your flock. However, chickens are active foragers. They scratch the soil, peck leaves, dig around roots, and may…
A chicken coop can quickly develop unpleasant odors, damp bedding, flies, mites, and other hygiene problems when moisture and droppings build up. Lime is one of the materials commonly discussed for improving these conditions, particularly when it is used as part of a broader coop-cleaning routine. But “lime” does not mean one single product. Agricultural…
Choosing chicken coop bedding is about much more than giving your hens a soft place to stand. The right material can help control moisture, odors, manure, dust, and cleaning time while making the coop more comfortable. There is no single bedding material that works perfectly for every flock. A small backyard coop may benefit from…
Can I Keep Bees in My Backyard? Yes, backyard beekeeping can be possible, but keeping bees is more than simply putting a hive in your garden. Before bringing home a colony, you need to consider local rules, available space, hive placement, neighbors, water, food sources, equipment, seasonal care, and the amount of time you can…
How to Attract Dragonflies to Your Backyard Dragonflies are more than beautiful insects flying around a garden. They are natural predators that feed on mosquitoes, flies, gnats, aphids, midges, and other small insects. That makes them especially appealing if you want to encourage natural pest control in your backyard. The most effective approach is not…