Author Archives: Mara Bacsujlaky

About Mara Bacsujlaky

As a 4-H agent with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, I offer workshops and information about raising and keeping small backyard flocks in Alaska. These services are designed for the hobbyist that keeps primarily laying chickens for home use of eggs and, secondarily, meat.

An Early Christmas Present

So, what’s the big deal about the eggs in the pic to the left? Why bother to post an image of a nearly-full egg carton of eggs on a blog about layers?  Well, because these are eggs from a 10-year … Continue reading

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More than just eggs

When someone new to chickens decides to get their own flock, it is usually images of fresh eggs and cozily clucking hens that dance before their eyes, not poop-splattered walls patterned after Jackson Pollock. The first hint that chickens produce … Continue reading

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Ground truthed!

Proof of the theorem of the Absolute of Chicken-themed Gift Receiving.    

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Tis the season for receiving…

…chicken-themed presents.  How many amongst us hobbyist flock-keepers have received such gifts  for birthdays, holidays or just because? I think it is safe to say that nearly all of us have – from friends or family who just couldn’t resist that cute … Continue reading

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Merry Christmas wishes…

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How long do chickens live?

This is a question that I am frequently asked, and a flippant answer might well be: as long as the flock keeper decides they should live. Many people  think that chickens are short-lived,  and in our modern, factory-farming approach to … Continue reading

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An Unusual Weather Event

Warm enough in Fairbanks on January 11 that the chickens are out and dusting. Now that is warm!

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Brrrr….

First week of the new year, and first day of -30 so far this winter.  Really, nothing to gripe about, but if it’s weather and Alaskans are talking about it – well, more times than not, there will be complaints, … Continue reading

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Update on the P-hammock

Hens: 1, Owner:  0 Today, the P-hammock (as I have come to refer to it) came down.  It’s a great idea that my chickens roundly gave the middle toe to. Every morning for the past week when I opened the … Continue reading

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What we have here is a failure to innovate!

The thaw has arrived.  Or perhaps it is a faux thaw, as often happens.  But real or just a tease, the past week’s temperatures have been warm, the snow is melting and the sun is back.   As every Alaskan knows, or … Continue reading

Posted in Cleaning, Flock, good ideas, Hens, Humor, Uncategorized, Winter | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments