Archive for February, 2015

Home to Roost Classes


Here is the list of classes so far for 2015. We have NEW classes in the works, including a bilingual (Eng/Span) class and a summer care class.  Check out the complete list of offerings below or download the pdf: Home to Roost Upcoming Class Offerings and Events.

 

Basic Chicken Keeping 

Weds., March 25, 5:30 PM at Fossil Ridge Public Library, http://fossilridge.org/event/home-to-roost/

Sat., March 28, 10 AM-12 PM at Chicago Botanic Garden, http://www.chicagobotanic.org/

**NOTE – DATE CHANGED TO JULY  11: Sat., July 11, 10 AM-1 PM with Angelic Organics Learning Center, Location TBD, http://www.learngrowconnect.org/event/basic-backyard-chicken-care-chicago

Sat., April 18, 10 AM-12 PM at Garfield Park Conservatory, http://www.garfieldconservatory.or

Sat., September 26, 10 AM-12 PM at Garfield Park Conservatory, http://www.garfieldconservatory.org

Coop Building 

Sat., March 28, 1 PM-3 PM at Chicago Botanic Garden, http://www.chicagobotanic.org/

Sat., April 18, 1 PM-3 PM at Garfield Park Conservatory, http://www.garfieldconservatory.or

The Charm of Chickens: Reasons for Raising Backyard Hens 

Thurs., April 23, 7 PM-8:30 PM at Grayslake Public Library, http://www.grayslake.info/

Chicken Health 

Sat., April 25, 1 PM-4 PM at Chicago Botanic Garden, http://www.chicagobotanic.org/

Sat., May 9, 10 AM-12 PM at Garfield Park Conservatory, http://www.garfieldconservatory.org

NEW!! Summer Care for Chickens 

Sat., June 20, 10 AM-12 PM at Garfield Park Conservatory, http://www.garfieldconservatory.org

Harvest Day Expo 

Sun., September 20 at Garfield Park Conservatory, http://www.garfieldconservatory.org

NEW!! SPANISH -Basic Backyard Chicken Care 

Sat., October 3 or 10, or November 7 with Angelic Organics Learning Center, Location TBD, http://www.learngrowconnect.org/event/basic-backyard-chicken-care-chicago

Snow Birds: Winter Care for Chickens 

Sat., October 24, 10 AM-12 PM at Garfield Park Conservatory, http://www.garfieldconservatory.org

 

 

Amazing video on development of a chick embryo


This is a great animation that shows the stages of development of a baby chick, day by day. Enjoy!

3rd Annual Urban Livestock Expo, Sat. Feb 14


FOR THE LOVE OF LIVESTOCK
3rd Annual Urban Livestock Expo Convenes Prospective & Experienced Critter Keepers on Valentine’s Day
In search of a fun and informative Valentine’s Day excursion? What says “I love ewe” better than taking your date to the third annual Urban Livestock Expo? Angelic Organics Learning CenterAdvocates for Urban Agriculture (AUA), and the Chicagoland Chicken Enthusiasts will present the 3rd Annual Urban Livestock Expo on February 14, 2015 from 10AM to 1PM at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHAS) at 3857 W. 111th Street in Chicago.
The Expo offers new and experienced keepers of urban livestock the chance to learn about caring for a variety of animals, and to network with each other. Presenters with expertise raising chickens, ducks, quails, rabbits, bees, and goats will introduce visitors to primary needs of each, highlighting issues to consider and steps to take in preparation for keeping livestock in the city.
Area urban livestock groups and businesses will staff resource tables in the school’s atrium, with information about further opportunities for learning, support networks, sources of supplies and equipment, and more. As Expo hosts, CHAS students will give tours of the school’s aquaponics center and livestock barn and sell baked goods and plants from their food science and horticulture programs.
Many Chicagoans are creatively weaving together food gardens, livestock, and composting in small spaces. Presenters at the Urban Livestock Expo aim to help city residents do well by their animals and by their neighbors and the city as a whole. Angelic Organic Learning Center’s Chicago Program Director Martha Boyd explains, “Everyone who raises animals in the city becomes the face of urban livestock for other people. We want to help each prevent problems and be the best example possible. The Expo gives visitors a foundation for taking the next steps toward raising livestock of their own.”
Expo visitors are encouraged to arrive between 9:30AM and 10:00AM for registration. Concurrent presentations begin at 10:00AM and continue until 12:30PM. Visitors can browse resource tables and tour CHAS’s livestock barn and aquaponics center throughout the event until 1:00PM. The detailed schedule can be seen at the three sponsoring organizations’ websites. Admission to the Urban Livestock Expo is free, but donations to help cover costs and to support the sponsors’ programs are encouraged and welcome.
Angelic Organics Learning Center helps rural and urban people build healthy local food systems, as educational nonprofit partner to Angelic Organics, a Biodynamic CSA farm. Advocates for Urban Agriculture is a non-profit coalition of Chicago-area gardeners, farmers, organizations, businesses and others who seek to expand and strengthen urban agriculture, from home- and community-based growing to market gardens and small farms. The Chicagoland Chicken Enthusiasts share advice, information, and resources about backyard poultry keeping and offer an annual Windy City Coop Tour.