One of the most joyous steps you can ever take is to sign on the dotted line to purchase your new homestead, that little slice of rural paradise you’ve always wanted. And now it’s yours. Your imagination takes flight at all the things you want to accomplish: a huge garden, chickens, cows or goats, an orchard. The sky’s the limit! Continue reading
Category Archives: Chickens and Poultry
Meet Lisa Steele, Coming to Lehman’s Next Month!

Meet Lisa Steele, fifth-generation chicken keeper and award-winning blogger. (Photo courtesy of Lisa)
Editor’s Note: We are so excited to announce that Lisa Steele from Fresh Eggs Daily is coming to Lehman’s this September! Read on to learn more about Lisa and her upcoming visit to Lehman’s. Continue reading
The Chicken Class at Lehman’s: A Beginner’s Guide
I do not have chickens. And until recently, my knowledge of chickens consisted of my weekly carton of eggs from the grocery store and an old black and white photograph from my great grandfather. Though the photo is creased and ripped, the image is still clear – a modest chicken coop with a flock of hens. Continue reading
Do You Know Where Your Food Comes From?
It’s an exercise which far too many people are finding themselves doing. Open the refrigerator, take out the bag of veggies or tray of meat, and check whether the contents are involved in the latest food recall.
Top 10 Things You Should Know Before Raising Chickens
Editor’s Note: We brought back chicken expert Lisa Steele to share with you essential info for raising your own flock. Pull up a chair – it’s going to be good!
Raising a small flock of backyard chickens can be a rewarding and exciting experience for the whole family, but before you dive in, there are a few things you should know. Continue reading
Choosing Chicken Breeds with Lisa Steele
Editor’s Note: We are so happy to welcome back Lisa Steele as our guest blogger! She is a fifth-generation chicken keeper who has been around chickens most of her life. Today she’s sharing her wisdom on how to pick out the right flock for you and your family.
With more than a hundred breeds of chickens to choose from here in the United States online from hatcheries, breeders or your local feed store, finding the best breed of chickens for your needs can get pretty overwhelming. Fortunately, you don’t have to choose just one breed. And in fact, a mixed flock will give you a more colorful egg basket and more interesting group of chickens.
Continue reading
Chicken Co-Op: Homesteading With Neighbors and Friends
Years ago, when all 7 of the kids were home, a flock of chickens was a necessity. I could go through 18 eggs for a single breakfast and custard for that hungry bunch used up another dozen. Things have changed. Only my youngest remains at home and a dozen eggs lasts me for several days, even with the occasional batch of custard. A big flock of layers seems like overkill, especially as most of the neighbors have chickens too. Continue reading
The Chicken Who Could Stop Time
Seems like everyone I know who has kids has, at some point, wished to stop time. When the little one stands on her own for the first time. When the last kid has Senior Night for football. Continue reading
Raising Chickens when You Work Full Time
Keeping chickens takes just a few minutes a day.
When everyone in your household is either at work or school all day, it can be daunting to think about getting a pet dog or cat, much less a flock of backyard chickens! But in reality, chickens are very easy to raise once you have your set-up and routine figured out.
Brine That Bird (Simple Trick for Amazing Turkey)
Planning the best Thanksgiving turkey ever? Shelley, Lehman’s Merchandising Assistant, has been brining her family’s Thanksgiving bird for the past several years, and she shared her simple recipe with us. Brining the turkey for at least 12 hours before roasting makes it extra moist, and this recipe gives the meat a slightly sweet flavor (which Shelley says her brood loves). Try it this year – it’s quick, easy and it just may become part of your Turkey Day tradition.
Classic Turkey Brine
You’ll need:
- 1 gallon water
- 1 cup coarse salt (such as sea salt or pink salt)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 orange, juiced and rind finely grated
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 tablespoon whole allspice
- 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
- 1 turkey, 12-15 lb (thaw turkey and remove giblets before brining)
- Ice (enough to cover turkey)
- large stockpot and/or storage container with lid (such as a 5-gallon bucket or 4-gallon bucket)
Directions:
In a large stockpot, combine all ingredients except turkey and ice. Bring to a boil and stir to dissolve salt and sugar. Remove from heat and let stand 30 minutes. Chill. Place the turkey, brining liquid and ice in stockpot or lidded bucket and let stand up to 12 hours, refrigerated (overnight works well). Roast and feast!