Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Give the gift of a chicken class!


Looking for a unique gift idea? How about a chicken-keeping class?

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In-home assessment consultation
I’ll come to your home on your schedule to discuss the ins and outs of chicken keeping: chicks, adults, coop, end of life, nutrition. $60/hr (+mileage). Leave a message below!

Advocates for Urban Agriculture’s Urban Livestock Expo, Feb 3, Chicago High School for Ag Sciences
I’ll be staffing a table and doing some short presentations. I’ll be able to field quick questions. This is an informational event rather than a full-blown class. Information here.

Three Rivers Public Library, Minooka Branch, Feb 24
Basic chicken-keeping class. Register here.

Good Food Festival, March 24, UIC Forum
I’ll be staffing a table and doing some short presentations. I’ll be able to field quick questions. This is an informational event rather than a full-blown class.

Morton Arboretum, April 21
Basic chicken-keeping class and coop building class. Class not posted yet; call for more info:  630-968-0074

Wauconda Public Library, May 22
Basic chicken-keeping class. Class not yet posted; call for more information: 847.526.6225

Stay tuned for more events; I’ll post them to the blog as I have more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flock Looking for Home!


Contact: Winnie Kearns
winnie DOT kearns AT gmail
seven-seven-three 680-3861
We have 4 adult birds, 3 1/2 years old.  We got them from Belmont Feed and Seed and they have been VERY healthy and successful, laying 8-10 eggs/week this summer.  We have 2 Barred Rocks, and ISA Brown and a Rhode Island Red.  We have loved them thoroughly, but we will be traveling a good deal in the next few months, and caring for them daily is getting more difficult.  We would love for them to go to a good home where they might be able to socialize and continue to be cared for.  We have food and heating watering stand to travel with them if that is helpful.

Chicken Sweaters


There are lots of posts on the internet about putting cute little sweaters on your chickens. For a number of reasons, it’s best that chickens not wear clothing. My main objection to chicken sweaters is that a chicken might get a toe or other body part caught, panic as it tries to free itself, and injure or kill itself in the process. Here are a few other reasons why chicken sweaters are not a good idea.

http://www.wideopenpets.com/nine-reasons-chicken-not-wear-sweater/

TASC’s Midwest Bird Expo this weekend, Oct 27 and 28!


Come to the National Bird Show & Midwest Bird Expo, October 27 & 28, 2017

Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, IL

Attend sessions hosted by members of the All Species Consulting Consortium!

All Species Consulting includes
Lara Joseph, Animal Behavior Center
Robin Shewokis, Enrichment Specialist
Dr. Caroline Efstathion, Avian Preservation & Education Conservancy
Dr. Jason Crean, Biologist
Elise Franchi, Nashville Zoo

And also Buddy Waskey, Dr. Peter Sakas, Jennifer Murtoff, and Dr. Jean Dubach!

4:00-9:00PM
Friday, October 27th

9:00AM-4:00PM
Saturday, October 28th

Pheasant Run Resort
Saint Charles, Illinois
http://www.pheasantrun.com

You can now reserve your All Access Pass!  This VIP pass gets you entry into the National Bird Show, the Midwest Bird Expo vendor hall, and any of the seminars as well as any other surprises that will be added!

Seating is limited!  Click here to reserve your seat now!

Join the goats for the GlennArt Farm Fall Gathering, October 14!


Come pet a goat! Come feed a goat! Come and see our goats at GlennArt Farm. We are opening the pasture to the public, offering lemonade and some music. We will be selling goat products as well. IF you come early at 8 a.m. you can help milk a goat!!!!

More info here.

Meet a Chicken at the Wilmette Public Library! Tomorrow Sept 18


Come to the Wilmette Public Library on September 18 from 7 to 8 to meet a chicken and quail! I’ll be doing a kids presentation. For more information and to register, go to the library’s website. The library is at 1242 Wilmette Ave.
Wilmette, Illinois 60091.

Garfield Park Conservatory Harvest Day, Sept. 16, 12-4


Come for Garfield Park Conservatory’s annual Harvest Day celebration!
https://garfieldconservatory.org/event/harvest-day-2/2017-09-16/

Simple and sustainable living is happening all around our busy city. City folk are keeping bees, caring for goats, making compost, and harvesting organic fruits and vegetables to feed their families. Come join us for this celebration of urban pioneer living!

Featuring:

  • Beekeeping demonstrations & honey tasting
  • Live goats and chickens
  • Composting demonstrations
  • Kid’s activities and lawn games
  • Veggie bingo and hay bales
  • Live music and much more!
Suggested $5 donation & members get in FREE!

Oak Park Edible Garden Tour, Saturday 7/29, 9-2 pm


Come out for Oak Park’s Sixth Annual Edible Garden Tour, July 29, from 9 am to 2 pm.
Ticket sales & map pick ups begin at 8 am at Sugar Beet Food Co-op 812 Madison, Oak Park.
 
Home to Roost will be stationed at 640 N Harvey, location 10, which has a nice flock of chickens!
Proceeds of the Edible Garden Tour to benefit Sugar Beet Schoolhouse, a not-for-profit organization that provides opportunities for people to connect with our local food system and to better understand how food choices impact personal health as well as the health of our planet.

Marek’s Disease in Birds from WI flea market


A vet tech colleague just reached out to me with this news:
Just a heads up. Not sure your clients go towards Milwaukee for birds….but I rescued 2 New Hampshire’s that were 10 weeks old. Originally purchased as day old chicks from the 7 Mile Fair/Flea Market. Both I euthanized due to neurologic issues and the necropsies came back positive for Marek’s. The woman who sells them is in the Burlington/Salem, Wisc area. I don’t know who she is except she sells at low class places in mass quantity.
Please be careful where you buy your birds. Swap meets can facilitate the spread of airborne diseases such as Marek’s. Feather dander and fecal matter can also carry pathogens.
It’s best to purchase from reputable sources who practice good biosecurity measures.

Chicken-Keeping Class – June 27, 2017


Interested in keeping chickens? Want to learn more about these fun, feathery friends?

Join me at the Barrington Area Library on Tuesday, June 27, from 7pm to 9pm for a class on chicken care, from choosing your chicks to keeping your adult birds happy and healthy.

Register here.