Home to Roost Helping city folks raise chickens!

Check out this indie film starring chickens, as well as Tim Norris, Chicago chicken keeper, as Sasquatch! Tim and I provided expert chicken wrangling for the film crew and actors. The cast of thousands is made up of members of the Chicago chicken keeping community! It was a day full of chicken-related fun!

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

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.

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.

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/

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.

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.

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!