Welcome to Roslin Poultry Ranch and My Blog Page!

Let me introduce myself, my name is Donna Weekes, owner of Roslin Poultry Ranch and the author of these blogs.

Having written numerous blogs, I've realized you might be curious about how or where I've acquired all my knowledge on raising backyard poultry and how my journey began with backyard chicken keeping.

I am a former hairstylist with 37 years of experience, and I continue to work part-time in the field. My interest in raising chickens began in 2018 when we acquired a 30-acre farm in Roslin, approximately 15 minutes north of Belleville, Ontario.

We began with a group of 8 high-production birds (red sex-links) consisting of 7 hens and a rooster. We were clueless about raising chickens or which breed to select. We entrusted the decision of which breeds to buy to the sales clerk at the feed store.

It goes without saying that these high-production birds aren't intended for long-term keeping, as their significant egg output greatly reduces their lifespan. My oldest bird passed at 2 years old. This breed isn't suitable as pets due to their brief lifespan.

When egg colors began trending and gaining popularity, I discovered my passion for collecting all the different colors. I wanted that rainbow basket of egg colors. I began researching the best sources for acquiring breeds and hybrids that produce diverse egg colors.

As a budding chicken keeper, I devoured every book available on backyard chickens, much like many others seeking to understand these unusual pets, which are so different from common household pets like dogs and cats. I grew frustrated with the conflicting advice found on social media, much of which lacked credible backing and not understanding the reasons behind our actions in chicken care.

For me, chicken keeping isn't just a hobby-it's a craft I've studied, practiced and perfected through years of dedication, research and care.

Education is a cornerstone of our work. I offer blogs for both new and seasoned chicken keepers, covering everything from breed selection and coop building to illness prevention and flock care. For those seeking tailored advice our One on One Meetings provide step-by-step guidance to help you start or improve your own backyard setup.

For those just wanting to ask a quick question, we offer Egg-sactly One Question option. If you are looking for an expert answer without booking a full consultation. Simply submit your one question about backyard chickens and you'll receive a tailored practical and experienced-based answer straight from me.

My blog posts concentrate on important topics related to chicken care and management, as well as addressing frequently asked questions.

In my blogs, I offer valuable insights into chicken care, making it available to those who are passionate about pet chickens and responsible care.

Over the years, Roslin Poultry Ranch has become a trusted local resource for poultry lovers who want to raise chickens the right healthy-way and well-cared for.

This is my journey and I continue to educate and learn something new about poultry everyday.

If you have any questions about any of my blogs, feel free to leave a comment below or reach out to me directly through the contact section on my homepage.

HAPPY CHICKENING!!