Bantams lay eggs that tend to have a larger proportion of yolk to white.
Bees, poultry & livestock

Bantams: the small space chook

If you’d love to keep a few low-cost chooks for eggs but have limited space, bantams are the answer, writes Jessamy Miller.

Poultry are social animals so a flock of three or more is ideal.
Bees, poultry & livestock

Getting started with chooks

If you are looking at adding poultry to your backyard, Jessamy Miller has a few important tips when it comes to buying your new chooks.

Different breeds of chooks have varying lay rates and different functions.
Bees, poultry & livestock

Natural ways to ensure your chooks lay eggs aplenty

There are many natural ways to help your chooks reach their laying potential. Two important ones to consider are diet and natural light.

Beehive need to be registered.
Bees, poultry & livestock

Beekeeping registers

Thinking about getting bees? There's one thing you must do, writes Kelly Lees, register your beehives.

Contented chooks.
Bees, poultry & livestock

Expert tips for contented chooks

Who's the boss in your henhouse? Jessamy Miller explains how to stop your hens from being bullied. 

From left to right: My Hamburgh, Spangles, Lulu the Langshan and Spare Spangles, another Hamburgh. Buffy the Silkie is hiding at the back.
Bees, poultry & livestock

Fun names for chooks

Calling your chook Meryl Cheep, or Yolko Ono might be going too far for some, but there is plenty of fun and nostalgia to be had when naming your chooks, writes Jessamy Miller.

How to hold a hen
Bees, poultry & livestock

How to hold a chook

There are all sorts of reasons you may need to hold your hens, such as checking for parasites; Jessamy Miller explains how do it safely for your chooks and you.

Growing plants that are indigenous to your area will help attract native bees.
Bees, poultry & livestock

Encouraging native bees

If you follow these basic principles in your garden, native bees and other beneficial insects will know they’re welcome, writes Karen Sutherland.

Teddy bear bee (Amegilla bombiformis)
Bees, poultry & livestock

Bring in the bees

There's heaps to do in the summer garden, including encouraging bees to visit and stay. Our horticultural experts have some tips to help you take care of these precious pollinators.

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.
Build your garden

Feathered friends

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

Araucana lay unusual green eggs.
Build your garden

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.