Sussex Chicken Breed Spotlight

The Sussex chicken originated in the Counties of Kent, Sussex and Surrey in England more than 100 years ago with possible ties back to Phoenecian traders and the Romans. Sussex chickens are a dual-purpose bird favored for both meat and eggs. Today, Sussex chickens in America are a recovering heritage breed popular in backyard flocks for steady egg production, excellent meat, and a friendly and curious nature.

DIY Holiday Spice Ornaments

You hear it said over and over again that nothing beats the smell of Christmas. I agree! That's why making these holiday spice ornaments has become a tradition in my house.

Sage - The Thanksgiving Herb

Thanksgiving and sage. The two go together like birds of a feather. Haha! Seriously, though, sage is the classic Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing seasoning. Its reach, though, extends beyond the holidays into a year-round classic for other culinary delights and in herbal teas.

The Ohio National - A Living Poultry Catalog

The Ohio National billed as America's largest annual poultry show, is held each November in Columbus, Ohio, at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. If you live nearby or you're in the mood for a road trip, this is well worth a visit. The show is a sight to behold!

This year it will be held November 9 - 10 in the Voinovich Building and boasts close to 8400 entries. The poultry sales area will now be held in the O'Neil Building which is bigger and has a cement floor.

DIY Kitty Litter Bucket Storage - A Purrfect Solution!

This exclusive is brought to you by the publishers of The New Pioneer magazine. You can subscribe to the quarterly magazine by visiting OutdoorGroupStore.com.

Photos, Drawings & Story By Robin J. Miller

Cat litter pails are sturdy containers with hinged lids that can hold a surprising amount of material: from toys to poultry grit to grains to oyster shells to assorted soil remineralization supplies. This rack converts bucket clutter into a useful tool.

Make Your Own Herb Vinegar

If your garden's been prolific, you’ve got lots of herbs that you don’t want to go to waste. So, why not make some herb vinegar? This is a great way to preserve tender herbs, such as basil and lemon balm. It provides a tasty addition to your menus. And, if you make an extra batch or two, you can use it for homemade holiday gifts.

A Guide to Common Owl Species

No matter where you live, even the suburbs, you've most likely got some resident owls around your house and backyard. This field guide shows identifying features and behaviors to common owl species so you know who’s who and how to attract owls by making your homestead owl-friendly. If you've got chickens, you can protect your birds from owls in much the way you know how to protect chickens from hawks.