Is it better to free range your backyard chickens, or keep them secure in a coop or cage? When we first started raising our poultry twelve years ago, it was free range all the way. We discovered there are both benefits and drawbacks to that, so here's the rundown in case you are on the fence about your birds. Free Range Chickens - The Advantages Less Feed: One of the most obvious advantages to letting your birds range is a free supply of bugs. That means you'll spend less on poultry food. The Continue Reading
Pure Balance Cat Food Review
I discovered Pure Balance pet food while shopping for a high quality, grain-free option that wasn't terribly expensive or hard to find. Pure Balance is made and sold exclusively for Walmart - it's easy to find in stores or online. The top three ingredients in the dry kibble version are US farm-raised turkey, chicken meal and ground peas. It's also fortified with Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, magnesium, Vitamin E, Taurine and Vitamin C. We have three cats right now. As far as taste Continue Reading
How to Pick a Great Name for Your Pet
It seems like something around here always needs a name. A new kitten, a new stuffed animal, a new baby...... or maybe it's work-related (a business, product, club or non-profit). People often ask me for help in choosing a name for these types of things. In fact, out of all of my blog posts, the one with the most hits by far has been my entry from 2009 entitled How to Name Your Farm or Ranch. Apparently, it really struck a chord. Anyway, just for a little bit of fun today, I want to Continue Reading
5 Things No One Told Me About Backyard Chickens
Fuzzy chicks, free range beauties and dozens of fresh eggs. These are the pleasant dreams of many a family that longs to have a little flock of backyard birds. Don't misunderstand me. You'll have those things. But there are some other surprises that await you. Here are 5 things no one told me about chickens when we first got started nine years ago. They stink. The first batch of chicks we received in the mail was SO adorable! You could fit all twenty of their fuzzy little bodies on a paper Continue Reading
Natural, Wholesome Food for Your Pets + a Giveaway
I've been a cat girl all my life. And I love to indulge our pets with extra special foods and treats. I received complimentary samples of I and love and you's dry and canned cat food to share with our 5 felines. And I also get to give away a package of dog or cat food to one of my readers! I and love and you (ILY) makes wholesome food and treats for cats and dogs, including dry kibble, wet and homemade dehydrated foods. In their own words, "not too long ago, people started putting things in Continue Reading