Tag: chickens

Deciding the Future of My Blog in an AI Driven World

The Reality of Blogging Today

Blogging isn’t what it used to be, mainly because of AI, and I’m seriously rethinking whether it’s worth keeping my chicken-keeping resource site. If you’ve been on the internet long enough, you probably remember when blogs were personal, honest, helpful, and full of real people sharing things they learned the hard way. Today, those voices feel much quieter, and AI plays a big part in that shift.
Once AI tools arrived, it became far too easy for anyone to pump out endless “informative” posts with very little effort. While that might sound impressive at first, the trade-off has been a flood of repetitive content with very little substance. Blogs used to feel human, but now most of them read like dry, impersonal textbooks. Thoughtful, original posts that once had a chance of being discovered are now buried beneath fast, mass-produced AI articles.
As a long-time blogger who has built trust with readers for 13 years, it’s become obvious that my site is being pushed aside.
AI isn’t going anywhere, it’s useful, convenient, and I won’t deny that I use it too. I understand that the world has changed, podcasts, videos, and smartphones have become the go-to sources for just about everything. Still, I hope people eventually start craving authenticity again and choose to connect with real humans.
For now, I’ll keep my blog, but I can’t promise what the future holds. It’s expensive, time-consuming, and honestly, it’s probably going to end up on the growing list of “extinct” technologies sooner rather than later.
The numbers don’t lie, and it’s hard to ignore the reality that fighting against the convenience of quick AI-generated information feels almost pointless.

For now, I’ll keep my blog, but I can’t promise what the future holds. It’s expensive, time-consuming, and honestly, it’s probably going to end up on the growing list of “extinct” technologies sooner rather than later. It’s sad, but times change, and it’s something we all have to accept or get left behind. New challenges help us grow, and I’m up for it. I think.
I’m interested in your comments and opinions.

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Winter Chicks in Phoenix AZ

Two Week Old Chicks Meet the Flock With Protective Mother Hen

Momma Raven with Dolly Parton

I wasn’t convinced that having baby chicks in December was a smart move, but my Silkie hen seemed confident, so I went along with it. As a seasoned mother hen, I trusted her, and even though the temperatures are cold at night, she has kept them toasty warm.
The chicks are now two and a half weeks old. She’s brought them out from their little safe house to meet the rest of the flock, and there’s been no drama, except for her overbearing protection of the babies. The other hens have been thoroughly warned to keep their distance, and they absolutely do.
It’s December, with daytime temperatures in the 60s and nighttime lows in the 40s. There’s no heat in the coop, but it’s fully protected from inclement weather. Throughout the day, she regularly settles in, allowing her babies to snuggle under her for warmth. At dusk, Mom gathers her babies and takes them back to their little safe house, where they snuggle under her wings in a nest box filled with fluffy bedding until dawn. Did I go out the first few nights to check if they were warm? Of course! Chicks Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn were warm as toast, so my backup heated brooder plan was unnecessary, however, the peace of mind was appreciated.

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What Beginners Should Know Before Buying A Chicken Coop

Learn From My Mistakes, Don’t Cut Corners

Let’s get into the honest, practical nitty-gritty of the biggest mistake I made when I started a backyard flock, and that’s the actual coop setup. Most of us (including me) start with something affordable and minimal, trusting the manufacturer’s idea of what “proper housing” is for six chickens. But here’s the honest truth: those coops are always way too small, cheaply built, and a nightmare to keep clean. I learned this the hard way, through multiple costly upgrades and the hassle of modifying existing set-ups.
So what is the right coop? This is an example of a good start for 6 chickens, and if your flock grows it can easily be modified by attaching a covered run.

Let’s get real, six chickens almost never stay six. That’s just a fact. So either buy bigger than you think you need, or choose something you can modify as your flock grows. A covered, enclosed, predator-proof outdoor space isn’t just a luxury, it’s essential for the safety of your flock and to keep harmony among the flock.
Crowded housing is a recipe for trouble. I didn’t understand the pecking order at first, and I quickly learned how harsh it can be for timid hens at the bottom.
Tip: What really helped reduce social bullying was providing multiple drinkers, feeders, and nest boxes so everyone had equal access.
Another option for choosing the right coop is researching companies that build coops to your exact specifications. That’s what I eventually did, and although a bit spendy, it was absolutely worth it. Of course, if you’re handy, building your own coop can be a fun and rewarding project.
There’s no hurry, take your time, be creative, and most importantly, enjoy the process. Half the fun of keeping chickens is enjoying the entire experience, start to finish. Don’t be delusional, there is no finish, chicken keeping is an endless work in progress! But it’s the fun kind.

Collection of Coop Designs

To help you choose a chicken coop, I’ve put together a Pinterest collection of Coop Designs and Set-up Ideas so you can research what works best for you.


About Custom Coop Builders

This is my custom chicken coop. It was originally covered pens for 3 horses, but I had it fully enclosed with 2×4 framework, hardware cloth, and shade cloth added to the east and west sides. The project was done by San Tan Valley Coops, and although they’re based in Arizona, they also work outside the state. You can contact them for more information about shipping. They can build any coop, in any size, exactly the way you want it.

TBN Ranch

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