Clear your yard of any possible hazards for chicks.
Bees, poultry & livestock

Raising chicks naturally

While the mother hen has the lead role in the chicken-raising show, Jessamy Millers says there are steps owners can take to ensure chicks are robust and healthy.

Chooks provide much more than fresh eggs and fertiliser.
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Feathered friends

Chooks provide many things from fresh eggs to fertiliser for your garden, and they can even become feathered friends to the family, writes Jessamy Miller.

Araucana lay unusual green eggs.
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Choosing a chook house

Life is much richer in this Melbourne household with a few chooks added to the mix – here's some tips to help make a home for chickens so everyone is happy.

Eggs contain everything required to support a chick’s development in the shell, which takes effort and resources.
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Why is my hen not laying?

A question chook owners often ask is: why aren't my hens laying? Read on for possible solutions.

You can make your own chook mash.
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Feeding your chooks

If you want to mix your own feed you will know exactly what you are giving your hens and it could save you money.

Honey bee on yellow mustard flower
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Bee friendly planting

Planting flowers that honey bees love is a win-win – they get pollen and you get a healthy harvest! These plants will tempt bees into your garden.

Two chooks sitting and chatting.
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Hen health checklist

Observation is the key to success not only in your garden but for keeping your chooks healthy.

Australorp
Bees, poultry & livestock

Heritage hens

The top performers of yesteryear, heritage poultry breeds are slow-growing, long-laying and one of the keys to our long-term food security.

Chooks love foraging for bugs.
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Can you feed your chooks on insects alone?

Chooks love foraging for bugs in the garden, but poultry can’t live on insects alone, and some invertebrates are better choices than others. Our chook expert talks snails, worms and slugs.

Spring is a busy time in the chookyard
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Spring poultry care

Spring is a delightful time in the poultry yard with hens back on the lay and, for those who keep a rooster, perhaps even chicks to enjoy. These tips will help you make the most of this time.

Native stingless bees
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Get the native bee buzz

Explore the world of native bees and how we can help provide food for them. A good starting point is to see what you can plant in your garden that will attract them to your patch.

Chooks love a dust bath.
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Buying chooks? Here’s some tips

If you are new to chook keeping, or thinking about adding some hens to your house, here's what to look for.