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Chicken Types and Egg Colors

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Yesterday, I visited my best friend’s family farm and came home with three dozen rainbow colored eggs, since they have more than they know what to do with. Her mom keeps Easter Egg chickens, and they lay eggs of every color under the sun: white, brown, yellow, pink, even blue and green- all equally delicious. Hands down, farm fresh eggs kick the pants off supermarket eggs any day (they also keep longer!). If you are interested in keeping your own chickens, be sure to check out what breeds create which colors before buying them! This post by Fresh Eggs Daily has a complete guide of egg colors along with the explanation of the coloring process:

Although all eggs start out with white shells, the blue or brown dye (or both)  applied to the shells of some breeds results in eggs that come in almost all the hues of the rainbow.

Be sure to click through for the full guide!

Photo Credit: Woodley Wonder Works 

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Doggie Cupcake Recipe

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One of my friends is absolutely dog crazy. She is always fostering shelter pets, adopting rescue animals, and volunteering at shelters. She’s also studying to become a vet, and I can’t think of any job better for her. She is one of the most caring, smart people I know. Needless to say, she spoils her dogs rotten. The other day, I saw her posting photos of her dog’s birthday party. For some, that may be a little overboard, but I thought it was really cute (I’m guilty of buying my dogs Christmas presents, after all). If your dog’s birthday is coming up, check out this recipe by Christine at First Home Love Life for dog-friendly “pupcakes”. Be sure to read the post for the full recipe! Honestly, it looks so good I’d probably steal one for myself. Pumpkin and cream cheese? Sign me up!

Photo Credit: Austin White 

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Goat Raising Basics

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Confession time: I absolutely love goats. I think they are, by far, the cutest farm animals, and I make a point to visit my friend’s family farm whenever I get the chance. I also try to bum fresh goat’s milk from her mom to make soap with, because I love how soft it makes your skin. As much as I would love to have my own goats, it’s a lot of work! I learned that by spending a few days with her. So, being the lazy person that I am, I don’t think having goats is for me (I’m more of a cat lady.) But, if you are thinking of raising your own goats on a farm, or just in your backyard, I encourage you to do so! They are great for homesteaders, and will always provide you with milk (and entertainment). Check out these tips by Brent Zimmerman at Mother Earth News for tips on keeping goats happy and healthy:

-Evaluate your space- make sure you have room for goat pen, goat house, and storage space for food and other supplies.

-Make sure the goats have areas with sun and shade.

-Remove any cyanogenic plants like milkweed, ferns, and mountain laurel. These are poisonous to goats.

-Consider the maximum number of goats that you can have before building the goat house and creating the goat pen.

Photo Credit: Jessica Reeder

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