Home to Roost Helping city folks raise chickens!

House Bill 175 in Ohio sets a limit to how many “small livestock” a homeowner may have. The bill proposes limits based on lot size and kind of animal. This will make it easier for people to keep animals that are traditionally kept for food purposes, including chickens, rabbits, and goats. For more, click here. 

When I tell people I’m a chicken consultant, I get anything from scoffing, to a bemused grin, to incredulity, to curiosity. The next question is “What is that?” I usually tell people that I help people in the city raise chickens.

What does that involve? Largely, if it involves chickens, I’ll do it! Here’s a list of chicken-related things I do:

• House calls to talk about chicken-keeping in general, to check on the flock’s health or behavior, or to give advice on a sick bird
• Phone consultations for the same reasons as above
• Necropsies to determine cause of death for a chicken
• Classes on chicken keeping, coop building, winter care, summer care, and health
• Presentations for schools, gardening groups, offices, event, and libraries
• Chicken wrangling for movies and photo shoots
• Consulting for organizations that want to install a chicken-keeping program
• Community events at fairs, bookstores, community centers, and other locations
• Expert witness at village meetings where chickens are under consideration
• Ordinance review for communities that have legalized chickens
• Network to connect people who can help each other
• Learn as much about chickens as I can, attending veterinary talks and shadowing avian vets, reading, conducting online research, etc.

If you have any questions about what I do, feel free to contact me.

Check out the latest in chicken fashion accessories!  I call them my “Chick” Taylors! I was given a pair of these fun shoes for my birthday. They’re pretty comfortable and true to size. Also a great conversation piece. Enjoy!

Check out this nteresting video on chick development from egg to hatch date!

Join Home to Roost on May 6, 2017, for my chicken-keeping and coop-building classes at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Register for both classes and get a discount! Go to the Botanic Garden’s website and search on “chicken” or call (847) 835-5440.

Raising Backyard Chickens,  9 a.m.–noon
This class is designed for curious people who are considering raising backyard chickens, as well as for those who already have their own birds and who want to learn more. Come learn about local laws, how to raise chicks, care for adult birds, and keep your neighbors happy.
Chicken Coop Basics, 1–3 p.m.
If you’re getting chicks this spring, you will need to know how to build a safe and comfortable home for them. In this class, you’ll learn about the basic needs of backyard birds (they’re not fussy, really, but there are some things you need to know). Discover the essential components of a coop, learn what to avoid when choosing construction materials, get important construction tips, and see examples of different coop styles.

Hope to see you there!