New Year's Resolutions for Your Flock, Land, and Family

As we welcome the new year, it's the perfect time to set intentions for ourselves—and for our flocks! Whether you're a seasoned chicken keeper or just starting your backyard adventure, there’s always room for improvement. Here’s a list of New Year’s resolutions designed to help you care for your flock, nurture your land, and strengthen family bonds. Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, health, and connection!

For Your Flock

Don’t Overfeed Treats

We know how much your girls love their treats—it’s hard to resist those eager clucks and hopeful stares. But in the new year, let’s commit to moderation. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your flock's overall diet to ensure they’re getting the nutrients they need to stay healthy and productive. Overindulging can lead to imbalances in their diet, weight gain, and other health concerns.

What counts as a treat? Scratch grains, mealworms, kitchen scraps, and most snacks you’d give your flock fall into this category. However, there’s good news: Henhouse Reserve® is a complete feed that meets your flock’s nutritional needs and doesn’t count as a treat, even if that’s how you use it. Your chickens get the joy of something special, and you get the peace of mind knowing they’re still eating a balanced diet.

Focus on Gut Health and Immunity

Healthy chickens start with a healthy gut. This year, prioritize boosting your flock’s digestive and immune systems with the right feed and supplements. Our proprietary LifeGuard® technology is designed to do just that. LifeGuard® works by enhancing digestion, improving nutrient absorption, and strengthening your birds’ immune response, which helps them fight off illnesses and stay in peak condition. Strong immunity doesn’t just mean fewer sick days—it also means better egg production, healthier feathers, and happier chickens. Incorporating feeds fortified with LifeGuard® ensures that your flock thrives throughout the year, no matter the challenges they face.

For Your Land

Leave the Leaves

In years past, yard cleanup may have been about achieving a picture-perfect lawn, but this year, let’s embrace a more balanced approach to nature. Instead of raking and bagging every last leaf, consider leaving them in place—or at least in designated areas. Leaves provide essential habitat for insects and other small wildlife, contributing to a healthier ecosystem. Your chickens will love scratching through them for bugs and other tasty morsels, turning leaf piles into an all-you-can-eat buffet. Leaving the leaves also enriches the soil as they decompose, creating a more fertile environment for next year’s garden. It’s a win-win for your land and your flock!

Plan Ahead

Preparation is key to a successful year, whether it’s for your garden or your flock. If you’re an avid gardener, consider starting seeds indoors during the winter months. Not only does this give your plants a head start, but it also helps curb the impatience that comes with waiting for spring. Plus, seedlings started indoors are less likely to be picked off by your flock when they’re transplanted into the garden—though we can’t guarantee your chickens won’t still find them irresistible!

If you’re planning to expand your flock or add other animals to your homestead this year, start thinking about housing and infrastructure now. Will you need a new coop or run? Additional fencing? Getting a head start on these projects during the winter ensures you’re ready when the weather warms up and those fluffy chicks or curious goats arrive.

For Your Family

More Outdoor Time

The new year is a great opportunity to step away from screens and spend more time outside. Whether it’s tending to the chickens, working in the garden, or simply enjoying nature, outdoor activities provide physical and mental health benefits for the whole family.

If you’ve got little ones, this might be the year they start taking on some of the “chicken chores.” Gathering eggs, filling waterers, or even tossing out Henhouse Reserve are simple tasks that teach responsibility and foster a connection to nature. Spending time outdoors also strengthens family bonds and creates cherished memories with your feathered friends.

More Whole Foods

Just as you’re committed to providing your chickens with high-quality feed, it’s important to prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods for your family. Make this the year of fresh, minimally processed ingredients. Eating whole foods—like fruits, vegetables, grains, and lean proteins—provides essential nutrients without the fillers and additives found in many processed options.

At Kalmbach Feeds, we believe in the power of premium ingredients, whether for your flock or your family. Teaching kids where their food comes from—how it’s grown, harvested, or raised—is a valuable lesson that fosters an appreciation for the food on their plates. And let’s be honest: nothing compares to the taste of eggs gathered fresh from your own backyard coop!

Bonus Resolutions for 2025

While the list above covers the essentials, here are a few more ideas to inspire you as you plan for the year ahead:

• Invest in Better Coop Ventilation: Proper airflow keeps your flock healthy, especially during the heat of summer and the chill of winter.
• Compost Chicken Manure: Turn waste into a valuable resource for your garden by composting your flock’s droppings. With proper care, chicken manure can become a powerful, nutrient-rich fertilizer.
• Learn Something New: Make this the year you expand your poultry knowledge. Check out a Kalmbach Webinar, read a book, or connect with fellow chicken keepers in your local community.

A Year of Growth, Connection, and Success

As we enter 2025, these resolutions serve as a guide to help you care for your flock, nurture your land, and strengthen family ties. By focusing on health, sustainability, and quality—for both animals and people—you’re setting the stage for a fulfilling and rewarding year.

Whether you’re resolving to improve your chickens’ diet, create a more balanced ecosystem in your yard, or spend more meaningful time with your loved ones, these small changes can make a big difference. Here’s to a prosperous and cluck-worthy New Year!