Archive for June 1st, 2012

21 June, 2012: Home to Roost Chicken-Keeping Class


Home to Roost has partnered with Dabble to offer a chicken-keeping class in Lincoln Park at Topics on Thursday, June 21, from 6-8 PM. You can sign up on the Dabble site. 

You say you’ve always thought about raising your own coop of chickens. But the laws concerning such things are too complicated and you don’t know where to begin, so you’ve never really given it a try.

We say, bock bock. What are you … chicken?

Keeping a city coop of chickens is legal in Chicago, and lots of do-it-yourselfers are already adding feathered friends to the backyard. This Dabble class is designed for folks who are considering getting chickens, or who just want to know why this urban trend is growing … as well as for those who already have their own birds and who want to learn more. It’s also a good way to introduce city officials to best practices of urban chicken farming. Come learn how to raise chicks, care for adult birds, and keep your neighbors happy!

Prepare to leave armed with information about raising a happy, healthy bunch of chicks and be well on your way to reaping the reward of freshly laid eggs!

Salmonella Linked to Hatchery Chicks


An article on Yahoo News yesterday documented over 300 cases of Salmonella illness, linked to one hatchery, between 2004 and 2012. Alarming? I’d say not – that is just under 40 cases per year. However, the CDC advises that children under 5 not be allowed to touch chickens at all.

As one member of a discussion group I’m part of pointed out, kids have a greater chance of being injured by an automobile. Symptoms of Salmonella include bloody diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain, and the illness is rarely fatal. As with other pets, practice good hygiene, washing hands thoroughly with hot, soapy water after touching animals and especially after coming into contact with poop.