Posts Tagged ‘backyard’

8 Jul

Learn to Raise Chickens—For Free! Come to Home to Roost’s Chicken-Keeping Classes

Posted by chickenwoman in Uncategorized. Tagged: , , .


If you’ve ever dreamed of collecting fresh eggs from your own backyard or are curious about raising chickens in an urban setting, now’s your chance to learn—at no cost!

Poultry educator and chicken consultant Jennifer Murtoff is offering four free chicken-keeping classes at public libraries throughout the Chicagoland area. These beginner-friendly sessions cover everything from legal requirements and coop setup to feeding and keeping your birds healthy. Whether you’re a complete novice or looking to brush up on best practices, these engaging classes will help you feel confident and prepared.

Upcoming Class Information

Alsip Public Library
Monday, July 14 at 6:00 PM
11910 S. Kostner Ave, Alsip, IL 60803
(To be held outside in the garden of Prairie Jr. High School)            
(708) 371-5666
No registration required.
Visit the Alsip Public Library events calendar

Des Plaines Public Library
Thursday, July 31 at 6:30 PM
1501 Ellinwood St, Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 827-5551
Register Here

Lisle Public Library
Saturday, September 13 at 2:00 PM
777 Front St, Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 971-1675
Check the Lisle Public Library events calendar closer to the date

Woodstock Public Library
Tuesday, September 23 at 5:30 PM
414 W Judd St, Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 338-0542
Check the Woodstock Public Library events calendar closer to the date

These free classes are a great way to learn about chicken care, meet fellow backyard chicken enthusiasts, and get your questions answered. Space may be limited, so check with each library to confirm registration requirements and location details.

1 May

Meet Live Chickens at SCARCE’s Growin’ Green Garden Market!

Posted by chickenwoman in Uncategorized. Tagged: , , .


Join Home to Roost at the Growin’ Green Garden Market on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 9 AM to 1 PM at the SCARCE Environmental Education Center on 800 S Rohlwing Rd (IL 53), Addison IL (Note: Located on west side of Rohlwing Rd, about 1/2 mile north of North Ave).

We’ll be there with live chickens—stop by to say hello and learn more about backyard poultry! Don’t miss this fun and educational day for the whole family!

8 Nov

Chicken Coop Available

Posted by chickenwoman in Uncategorized. Tagged: , , .


CONTACT KELLY CALABRESE by Facebook Messenger or by email: kelly.calabrese@gmail.com

Kelly from Rogers Park is rehoming a coop. She says “The coop was in my backyard from a previous owner so I’m not sure how old it is. There were some abandoned eggs that I had to clear out so I think it was in use relatively recently. It is a little rough around the edges, especially the flower box in the back, but overall is quite adorable and I think it has some life left. It’s free if you can take it. The sooner the better but there’s no real deadline if there’s genuine interest and a plan.”

CONTACT KELLY CALABRESE by Facebook Messenger or by email: kelly.calabrese@gmail.com

5 Nov

Basic Backyard Chicken Keeping at Orland Park Public Library

Posted by chickenwoman in classes. Tagged: , , .


Are you interested in starting your own backyard flock? Or maybe you already have a few feathered friends and want to expand your knowledge on their care? Join the Orland Park Public Library for Basic Backyard Chicken Keeping on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. This free workshop is perfect for anyone eager to dive into the world of chickens, whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to brush up on the basics.

Held at the Orland Park Public Library (14921 Ravinia Avenue, Orland Park, IL), this event will provide valuable insights on everything from understanding local regulations to tips for keeping your chickens happy and healthy at all stages of life.

Whether your goal is fresh eggs or simply the joy of caring for these delightful birds, this session will set you up with the tools you need to succeed with backyard chicken keeping.

Important Registration Information:

  • Registration is required, and each participant may only register for one spot per library card.
  • Multiple registrations associated with the same library card will be canceled to ensure fair access for all interested attendees.

Event Details:

  • Location: Orland Park Public Library, 14921 Ravinia Avenue, Orland Park, IL 60462
  • Date/Time: Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
  • Cost: Free

This is a great opportunity to connect with an experienced chicken keeper, ask questions, and meet others in the community interested in sustainable, backyard agriculture. For more information, visit the library’s event page.

Don’t miss this chance to embark on your backyard chicken journey!

16 Dec

5 Jan 2013: Chicken-Keeping Class at the Garfield Park Conservatory

Posted by chickenwoman in Chicken care, Events. Tagged: , , , , .


OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Raising Chickens in the City: Opportunities and Challenges

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Hours: 10:00 am – Noon

Where: Jensen Room

Cost: $15 / $10 GPCA Members and Volunteers

Is one of your New Year’s resolutions this year to get in touch with your “inner farmer?” Let us help! Jennifer Murtoff, president of Home to Roost Urban Chicken Consulting, joins us to share the reasons raising chickens in the city is both important and doable. Come join us for this informative class, where you’ll learn a bit about how to choose a chicken for your space, get coop plans, and more.

Please register by visiting the web page and clicking the “register now” button below. If you have further questions about this class, please contact Melanie Harding at x16 ormharding@garfieldpark.org. Please note that registrations cannot be refunded after Friday, December 27th. If you purchase a spot in this workshop after 5pm on Friday, January 4th, please either bring a printed copy of your email receipt, or show it on your smart phone at the door of the workshop.

 

15 Nov

Iowa City One Step Closer to Legalizing Chickens

Posted by chickenwoman in Laws, Media coverage. Tagged: , , , , , .


Home to Roost was interviewed this week for this article on the quest to legalize chickens in Iowa City.

The Iowa City City Council voted 5-2 on the first consideration of an amendment to the city’s zoning code on establishing a permit process, which would allow residents to keep chickens at single-family detached residences. Councilors Michelle Payne and Terry Dickens voted against the measure.

Good luck, Iowa City chicken enthusiasts!

17 Apr

Iowa City Joins the Backyard Chicken Movement

Posted by chickenwoman in Laws, Urban agriculture. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .


I got a call yesterday from the University of Iowa and spoke to a reporter who documented the Iowa City chicken-keeping efforts in this article, published online today (4/17/2012).

This movement was seeded by a former chicken keeper from Albuquerque who wanted backyard hens at her new home.

“Everyone comes to the table with different reasons [for urban chicken keeping],” said LaBadie, who organized several chicken-keeping groups in Albuquerque. “… But it’s not like it’s a brand-new thing. They’re allowed in New York City, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, and larger urban areas. I feel like they could work in Iowa City.”

Go, Iowa!

 

12 Apr

Palatine, IL, Wants Chickens

Posted by chickenwoman in Laws, Local food. Tagged: , , , , , .


A Palatine couple seeks the right to keep chickens. For more information and a link to their Facebook page, read this article.

“Consider being a part of this group to support green living in the Palatine area by allowing backyard hens!” the Facebook page states.

10 Apr

Annapolis, MD, Approves Chickens

Posted by chickenwoman in Laws. Tagged: , , , , , , .


After a particularly protracted debated, which lasted until 1 AM, Annapolis, MD, city council approved chicken keeping.

…the most recent bill allowed for up to five chickens per residence and requires a setback of 5 feet from the property line.  All coops must comply with building codes. There will be no roosters allowed, only chickens*. And this legislation has a sunset clause of three years. If the council takes no further action, chickens will once again be banished from the City.

To read more, check out the original article. 

*The author means hens. Chicken refers to both genders; hen is female, rooster is male.

8 Apr

Lead in Backyard Eggs

Posted by chickenwoman in Chicken care, Urban agriculture. Tagged: , , , , , .


Yes, there is a small risk of lead in backyard eggs, especially in buildings constructed before 1978. For more information, see this article.

If you live in Chicagoland and are concerned about lead levels in your soil, contact Susan Kauffman, who tipped me off regarding the lead in eggs issue. She runs a soil analysis service and offers a soil sampling service.

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