Chicken Projects at Grumbles Homestead
Welcome to the clucky side of Grumbles Homestead. This is where we talk backyard chickens the real way — from building coops that survive Canadian snowstorms, to raising hardy hens, collecting those golden-yolked eggs, and keeping your flock healthy when it’s +30°C in July and -30°C in January.
We’re just getting this corner of the homestead set up, so check back soon for step-by-step how-tos, honest lessons learned, and simple projects you can tackle on your own land (or in a backyard with a stubborn city bylaw).
I Painted My Broody Cage Screen Black… Couldn’t Believe the Difference
A simple can of black spray paint transformed our broody cage screen — the visibility difference was genuinely surprising. A low-cost DIY trick that makes checking on your hens way easier.
How to Keep Chickens Cool in Summer Heat
Summer heat can be brutal on a backyard flock. We cover installing coop fans, proper ventilation, spotting heat stress early, and what actually works when temperatures climb.
Can Chickens Really Have Grass Forever? (DIY Tire Grazing Box Test)
We put the popular DIY tire grazing box to the test — can it really give chickens access to fresh grass without them destroying it? Real results from our Forever Grass experiment.
How to Get Grass Into a Chicken Run (Cheap Sod Trick They Love)
Fresh sod dropped into the chicken run is one of the best low-cost enrichment moves you can make. The flock goes after it immediately — scratching, digging, and hunting worms.
Backyard Chickens vs. Ticks: Chemical‑Free Lyme Protection in Ontario
Free-ranging chickens are surprisingly effective at reducing tick populations. We’re in a Lyme disease risk zone in Ontario — here’s how our flock helps keep ticks in check naturally.
Why Did My Chicken Lay a Tiny Egg? Fairy Egg, Wind Egg & Is It Normal
Finding a tiny mystery egg in the nesting box is more common than you’d think. We explain what fairy eggs and wind eggs actually are, why they happen, and whether you need to worry.
How to Trim a Chicken’s Parrot Beak at Home (Safe Step-by-Step Guide)
A parrot beak is when a chicken’s upper beak curves down over the lower beak. We show exactly how to trim it safely at home — no vet required. Miss Grumbles approved.
