Free-range chickens are becoming increasingly popular, especially among those who value sustainable living and eco-friendly practices. In addition to providing fresh eggs, these feathered creatures offer companionship and a reduced carbon footprint. However, it's important to understand that raising chickens requires a significant investment - it's not just as simple as building a coop and throwing away feed.

For those considering keeping chickens as pets for the first time, here are 10 specific things to know to ensure a positive and rewarding experience.

1 Local Laws and Regulations
Before raising chickens in your backyard, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with local regulations and zoning laws. Many municipalities have specific regulations regarding the number of chickens that can be kept, whether roosters are allowed, and the distance of the coop from the property line. Some areas even require a permit. Researching these regulations ahead of time can avoid potential fines or the need to re-home your chickens.

2 Noise and Neighborhood Considerations
One aspect of keeping chickens that is often overlooked is the noise they can generate, especially roosters, which are known for their loud crowing. Even hens, while generally quiet, can make noise when laying eggs or interacting with each other. In suburban or urban environments where neighbors are in close proximity, this noise can be a concern.

It is important to consider whether the noise level is acceptable to the neighborhood and to see if there are any restrictions on noise in the community. Being mindful of this factor will help maintain a good relationship with your neighbors and ensure a peaceful environment for both your chickens and your family.

3 Breed Selection
There are various breeds of chickens, each with their own temperament, egg-laying ability and adaptability to different climates. First-time chicken owners should carefully choose a breed that meets their goals and living conditions. For example, those seeking high egg production may choose breeds such as the Rhode Island Red or Egger. Alternatively, breeds such as Silky or Sussex chickens are known for their friendly, docile nature and are perfect for those looking for a pet with a gentle disposition.

4 Investing in a Chicken Coop
A well-designed chicken coop is essential to keeping your chickens safe, comfortable and healthy. Chicken coops should be able to withstand the elements and natural predators while providing plenty of room to move around.

A general guideline is to have at least 3 to 4 square feet of exercise space per chicken in the coop when outdoor space is available, and at least 8 to 10 square feet of exercise space per chicken if an outdoor coop is not available. Additionally, proper ventilation is necessary to prevent respiratory disease, and the coop should have secure doors and latches to keep predators out.

5 Chicken Nutrition
A well-balanced diet is key to maintaining healthy chickens. Chickens need a mix of grains, protein and calcium to thrive. Commercial chicken feeds are formulated to meet these nutritional needs, but supplementing their diet with kitchen scraps, insects and garden weeds can provide additional nutrients.

Fresh water should always be provided, and calcium supplements (such as crushed oyster shells) help ensure strong eggshells. Certain foods such as raw beans, green potato skins and chocolate should be avoided as they are harmful to chickens.

6 Daily care and maintenance
Chickens require consistent daily care, including feeding, providing fresh water and collecting eggs. Chicken coops also require regular maintenance to prevent the buildup of harmful substances such as ammonia. Soiled areas and bedding should be replaced weekly. Chickens should also be checked regularly for signs of illness, parasites or injury and veterinary advice should be sought if necessary.

7 Protecting natural predators
Chickens are vulnerable to many predators, including raccoons, opossums, foxes, owls, hawks and even dogs. To protect your chickens, you should make sure that your coop and pens are secure. Chicken owners should use predator-proof materials, such as hardware cloth, and bury them a few inches underground to keep digging predators out. Close supervision to prevent predator attacks is necessary for those who allow their feathered friends to free range.

8 Egg collection and storage
One of the main benefits of keeping chickens is the availability of fresh eggs. Eggs should be collected daily to keep them clean and prevent them from being broken or eaten by the chickens. Once collected, eggs should be stored in a cool, dry place - on the counter if they have not been washed, or in the refrigerator. While fresh eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for three to five weeks, it's best to consume them within a week or two for best flavor and quality.

9 Handling of Chickens
Chickens are naturally cautious around humans, especially if they are not used to being handled. Building trust with chickens requires patient, gentle interaction with them from an early age. Consistently spending time near the chickens and speaking softly can help them become more comfortable with the presence of humans. Over time, these animals will become more accustomed to being handled, making it easier to monitor their health and enjoy their company.

10 Seasonal Care Programs
Seasonal changes can create challenges in the care of chickens. During the summer months, chickens must be kept cool by providing shade and making sure they have plenty of water. In the winter, coops need extra insulation to keep them warm, and access to non-freezing water is critical. Some breeds are better suited to colder climates, so choosing a breed that matches your local climate will help ensure their well-being all year round.

When it comes to interactive play, wand toys reign supreme in the world of feline entertainment. A great accessory to a cat owner's toolkit, these toys not only provide endless fun for your cat, but also offer many health benefits for your fur baby. From physical exercise to mental stimulation, wand toys offer a comprehensive range of health benefits for cats. In this article, we'll take a look at a few of the best wand toys on the market and how they can contribute to your feline friend's overall health and happiness.

Freedom Star.
Interactive Cat Wand Fishing Pole Toy 2PCS Retractable and 9PCS Fun Feather Toy Quill for Indoor Bored Cats to chase and exercise.
The Interactive Cat Wand Fishing Pole Toy is an interactive toy that combines string and feathers to stimulate your cat's natural hunting instincts. The retractable cat wand is lightweight, flexible and easy to store for you to play with your cat. The toy is made of safe, natural materials to ensure your pet's safety while playing.

Ideal for interactive play and exercise for indoor cats.

People who love dogs and those who don't can tell at a glance, and usually have the following kinds of behavior, simply can't hide their love for it.

Responsibility

The most important point of raising a dog is to have a sense of responsibility, if just talk about it, no action to take responsibility for it, it is not a sincere love of dogs, and once you have to raise, the people who love dogs will not easily abandon it, will always be with it, but also do their best to give it a good life.

Won't pay attention to appearance

In today's society, some people pay more attention to appearance, so when picking a dog, the first thing to look at is the appearance, but also picking on the dog's various aspects, that is not a sincere love of dogs, on the contrary, those who love dogs, will not care about appearance, will not disdain it in all aspects, outside the encounter with stray dogs, but also to give it to eat and drink.

Always observe it

Dogs will not talk, when it is sick, it can only fight hard, this time it is necessary to shoveling officer to observe more of its behavior, if it suddenly have abnormal performance, often is the body has a problem, to help it check in a timely manner, otherwise it will be delayed to a very serious point, that lack of love and care for it, and those who really love the dog, it will be every day to observe its poop, the state of mind, and other places, in order to determine its physical condition. .

Learning about dog ownership

Those who really love dogs will prepare everything before getting a dog, learn about it, take the initiative to care for it instead of blindly following the trend of getting a dog, and also take the time to make food for it personally.

Don't mind the hassle

Raising a dog is a very troublesome thing, will find the same as raising a child, if it is not a sincere love of dogs, it will not do every day to pay attention to it, and usually to help it comb hair, brush teeth, take a bath, etc., but also have to clean up the poop to it, observe whether there is any difference, if there is a case of soft stools, it may be gastrointestinal discomfort, so shoveling officers to timely help it to regulate it in the staple food, but also want to give it to choose a dog food containing probiotics to regulate the intestinal bacteria In the main food, you should also choose a dog food that contains probiotics to regulate the intestinal flora.

Will play with it actively

People who really love dogs will take time out every day to play with it actively, and also take it to do training, and in the training process, if it does not cooperate with you, you can use snacks to guide it and improve its motivation, about the snacks, we recommend this “Greedy Duck Dried Meat”, made from a whole chicken breast, rich in It's rich in protein and tough, so it's a good way to clean teeth and reward training.

he holiday season is upon us, and your pet might be in luck... Gift giving doesn't have to be just for people. Still, we're sure you don't need any extra names or items on your shopping list, so why not get crafty and make something for your animal friend?

We have compiled a list of fun and festive DIY gift ideas for your four-legged family members that are quick and easy to make at home this holiday season, leaving you more time for important things like festive movies and cooking up a feast!

By making a homemade holiday gift for your pet, you can ensure that it is made with care, using only materials that are appropriate for your pet, and that it meets all of your quality standards.
For your dog
Sock and Ball

Dog lovers can create hours of fun with two simple items found around the house! For dogs that love to play fetch, this is also a great way to throw the ball farther.

You will need
An old gym sock
One or more balls (for larger dogs, use one to three tennis balls, and if you have a small dog, you can get a smaller rubber ball at the pet store).
The Method
Take the ball or balls and push them into the sock.
Tie the end of the sock, leaving enough to create a "handle".
This is a perfect toy for tug-of-war games where you can hold the handle and the dog can hold the other end.

Did your dog love this sock toy to death? Check out this list for some great alternatives.

You may have seen braided dog toys at your local pet store. These are so easy to make that any pet parent can do it, and they can be created using festive colors. The method below will produce a small rope toy about 9 inches long. Once you have completed one, you can play around with the length and thickness of your fabric to customize it to your desired length.

As a pooper scooper, you know that toys are an integral part of your cat's life...

However, every toy doesn't stay in favor with cats for long, and the only one who ends up getting hurt is the pooper scooper's wallet!

Today, Xiaoyi will share with you some DIY toys that add freshness and are “0-cost and easy to use”!

Paper
When you put a delivery box at home, it won't be long before a kitten grows inside...

You don't even need to open the box to grow a kitten...

Occasionally, the size of the box doesn't match the size of the kitten, but the kitten will squeeze in...

In order to let cats make better use of this “beloved little box”, we can transform it into other toys for cats!

Transformation program 1: splicing small balls

First of all, the courier box is spread out, cut out a page, and then use a pen to draw the pattern we need, and then cut down according to the mortise and tenon structure for splicing.

Give a few chestnuts from the extranet:

Buyer's show version: I tried the reproduction restoration myself, but...

It's rather rudimentary, but the cats buy it!

Cat Trial Record

However, because of the different hardness of the delivery box, the “life span” of the ball is not the same...

Modification option 2: Gopher toys

This option is suitable for slightly larger boxes.

It is better to plan in advance the part to be cut off on the surface of the box, and it is recommended to design it as a rectangular hole, so that the cat's paw can pass through it. (If it is too big, it may be easy to catch the cat's head)

Then you can put the small ball (plush, patchwork ball can be) into it. The gopher toy is ready!

Xiao Yi also made it for his own cat, who loved it, but a few days later...

In addition to the common paper, we can also diy fabric toys.

Second, cloth
Don't throw away the unwanted tablecloths, handkerchiefs, blankets and so on at home! Collect them and change them to become new toys for kitties!

(1) Cloth parcels

The easiest thing to do is to take a piece of cloth and pull up a bow.

If you want to increase your cat's love, you can also fill it with a bit of cotton/paper confetti + catnip to make the toy feel better and smell more tempting.

Or fill it with some plasticine (slightly harder), some cats will be interested in the sound the plastic makes when rubbed together.

Little One Humble Replica

If you don't have any discarded cloth at home, you can also try remodeling it with your outgrown socks. After all, some cats are obsessed with socks themselves...

(2) Short Tunnel

For this one, it's best to use a large, wide cloth type, such as a bath towel or carpet type. If it comes out floppy, you can also use cardboard to make an inner support, which can better support the whole tunnel...

Cat thinking...

Or just take apart the delivery box, which can also be a kind of tunnel.

Tunnel + cat teaser, more fun!

(3) Ring Toys

Prepare a ring-shaped object (used up duct tape, cut from paper cones, put together your own, etc.), and then knot the fabric strips on it one by one.

Attached again is the buyer's show of Little One...

(4) Sniffing mat

Some more complicated processes are needed from here on, but Xiao Yi believes that a handy pooper scooper won't be defeated!

Take a look at the design of common sniffing mats on the market, which are still mainly in the form of pockets to hide food.

So the shoveler can design it according to the size of the fabric. Then stitch it with needle and thread, or hot melt glue it.

These diy above may still be too simple for some shovelers with full craft skills, but it's okay! I also found some comprehensive diy toys for you.

Comprehensive diy toys
Xiao Yi give two examples, the specific practical shoveling can be based on their own surplus material situation to decide oh ~ ~

(1) Self-indulgent cardboard box

Simpler, is hanging a small ball in front of the cardboard box.

To make it more difficult, you can hollow out all sides of the cardboard box and hang various toys on it...

Image from: facebook

(2) All-in-One Toys

This one takes a lot of materials, so you can start designing and making it after you've stocked up on your home's “scraps”.

Take out a big cardboard/box as the foundation, and then we can build it.

Divide the foundation into different sections and make different styles. Randomly arrange and combine them to get a multi-functional all-in-one toy.

Image from: rawz

You can simulate the track of a pinball machine and make a kitten pinball machine to make your cat happier playing with balls~

Image from: care

Or design a more complicated hide-and-seek toy to make the searching process more tedious for your cat and won't lose the fun quickly~

Image from: youtube

Little One also tried to make a kitten pinball machine, and the cat feels pretty good about it~

Picture from: cat research institute@1234

You can also hide some freeze-dried food and turn it into a hidden food toy.

Photo from: Cat Research Institute@1234

Ps: Because handmade products may have some instability, all toys are recommended to be played with in the company of the pooper scooper!

Come on, pooper-scoopers, try your hand at it and bring your kittens some new joy!