Archive for June, 2011

14 Jun

Angelic Organics Summer and Fall classes

Posted by chickenwoman in Chicken care, Urban agriculture. Tagged: , , , , , , , .


Angelic Organics Learning Center supports the urban agriculture crowd, and summer is the time to plan your visit to Angelic Organics Learning Center! Download the new summer/fall workshop calendar, featuring opportunities to explore food and farming for all ages.

The new line-up of classes includes the following:

  • More of their popular classes on raising goats and chickens, and a new class on applying Biodynamic principles and practices in your yard at home.
  • Food preservation, winemaking, cheesemaking (including a 1 day class which combines cheesemaking with earth oven bread baking), pizza making, plus a new class all about apples in September.
  • Family camping opportunities at the farm, including Father’s Day weekend, Labor Day weekend, and a five day program at the beginning of August.
  • Even more day camps (filling quickly!), including an option for middle schoolers and a shorter animal camp for younger children
  • Even more family programming, with extra ice cream and farm animal days throughout the summer.

12 Jun

Salmonella outbreak linked to chicks and ducklings

Posted by chickenwoman in Bird miscellany, Weird chicken stuff. Tagged: , , , , , , .


An outbreak of 25 cases of  Salomonella Altona has been linked to chicks and ducklings in the eastern United States, including NC, PA, OH, and IN.

Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The disease can be diagnosed with a stool sample. Onset takes 2-3 weeks, and symptoms usually last 4-7 days.

For more information and tips to protect yourself from Salmonella Altona, read the full post on the Center for Disease Control’s website.

10 Jun

Columbia College Student Covers Home to Roost in a Documentary Film

Posted by chickenwoman in Chicken care, Media coverage, My chicken stories, Urban agriculture. Tagged: , , , , .


Check out the humorous, witty, and cinematographically pleasing results of hours of being followed by a camera and hooked up to a microphone! Mary Horan, a Columbia College student followed me for a few months to get a variety of footage, most of it involving urban poultry!

As it turns out, my wacky sense of humor comes out, as does my passion for chickens!

Judge for yourself! You’ll find the video at the bottom of the page on this link! Spend some time looking at the other films on the page, too!

Chicks in the City

By Mary Horan

10 Jun

Home to Roost on Keeping Chickens – on YouTube

Posted by chickenwoman in Local food, Urban agriculture. Tagged: , , , , , , .


Learn more about why people in cities across the U.S. are raising chickens! Check out my YouTube post!

This video was created by Mary Horan, a film student at Chicago’s Columbia College! A huge thanks to you, Mary!

It was a lot of fun to be part of this video-making process! Mary approached me a few months ago and asked if she could follow me for a film class. I said sure!

4 Jun

The Urban Chicken Consultant Recommends: The Chicken Store

Posted by chickenwoman in Chicken stuff to buy, My chicken stories, poultry welfare, Weird chicken stuff. Tagged: , , , .


Back in 2000, I went on a cruise with my friends Bill and Vickie. We were biking around Key West, and I spotted a bike with a license plate that said “The Chicken Store.” I quickly flagged our tour guide, who didn’t understand my enthusiasm, but nevertheless agreed to take us to the Chicken Store on Duval Street.

Apparently Key West has feral chickens. Lots of ’em. They hatch cute fuzzy little chicks, the roosters crow, they cross the road, they annoy residents. And people abuse them by breaking their legs, shooting them with BB guns, and other such nonsense.

The Chicken Store takes in the injured chickens and rehabilitates them, and then adopts them out. They sell all kinds of great chicken-related paraphernalia to help with the rescue efforts. Next time you’re in Key West, check out this store!

There are pictures of the chickens of Key West, as well as chicken-related merchandise, on their site: TheChickenStore.com.

3 Jun

YouTube Video Featuring Home to Roost at EarthFest 2011 in Oak Park

Posted by chickenwoman in Events, Media coverage. Tagged: , , , .


I brought a buff Orpington rooster to EarthFest this year, just to jazz things up a bit! The intermittent crowing was a good crowding-gathering gimmick, and it was fun to be working with poultry testosterone again! Here’s a little video posted on YouTube! Watch for the chicken pix!

EarthFest is a community-based event that draws green vendors of both products and services.

1 Jun

June 22, 2011: Mid-Week Market

Posted by chickenwoman in Events, Urban agriculture. Tagged: , , , .


Chickens hit the Oak Park Mid-Week Market on June 22!

Home to Roost will be at the Oak Park farmers market from 5 to 9 on Wednesday evening! Come out and meet a chicken!

Then stock up on locally grown fruits and vegetables, or grab a bite for dinner and visit local retailers’ booths! The market is in downtown Oak Park on Lake Street, just east of Harlem Avenue.

From more information on the market, see the Oak Park Mid-Week Market web page.

1 Jun

June 15, 2011: Home to Roost at Whole Foods

Posted by chickenwoman in Events, Local food, Urban agriculture. Tagged: , , , .


Community Class: Urban Chicken Farming

Whole Foods Market – 7245 W. Lake Street, River Forest, IL

708.366.1045

Wednesday, June 15, 7:00 p.m.

FREE

The word is out. Urbanites can get fresh eggs from their own back yard! Chat with the expert on Chicken Care – Jennifer Murtoff and meet one of her favorite feathered friends. This class will also address favorite cage free egg brands and offer egg-based recipes and snacks. Kids are welcome!

To sign-up, e-mail: julia.evans@wholefoods.com