Found 41 hits.

Teacher’s Page – FAQ

...children get creative! Give names to your flock — one of the fun things about having chickens is coming up with names. Some people name their hens after famous women, like Eleanor Roosevelt and Betsy Ross. Others name them after favorite book characters, or spices, or breakfast cereals. Have fun! Write/draw/discuss the next Tillie adventure. Will she go to a fair? Your school? What silly place will she lay her egg? Create a Venn diagram that compares Tillie and the other hens. Have a book nook with chicken books. See my FAQ of favorite chicken books for children: http://HenCam.com/faq/childrens-books-featuring-chickens/ Hatch...

The Rooster Puppets’ New Home – HenBlog – Sunday, April 22, 2012

I used random.org to select the winner of the rooster puppets giveaway. It was sheer luck, but the roos couldn’t be going to a better home. Here is the entry from Shelley: Having a summer day camp for kids with disabilities. They will be riding, grooming and other stable chores, feeding/caring for chickens, collecting eggs so they can participate in the weekly farmer’s market, crafts and working on social skills. Spruce Point Farm Camp in LaGrange, KY Bet they would sell alot of eggs using the puppets! Shelley, I want to see a photo of the roosters and kids at...

Country Living Magazine and PETA – HenBlog – Monday, April 7, 2008

I subscribe to Country Living magazine. They have lightweight articles on collecting, decorating and “country life.” So, I was excited to see, in the May issue, a page about backyard chicken keeping. (Do you realize how trendy we are? Little flocks have made it into a national magazine!) But, at the end of the page, was this, “Baby chicks are often purchased as Easter gifts – then sadly abandoned. Lucky ones find new homes, like the cover model of the 2008 Rescued! calendar (peta.org).” So, I’ve just sent this off to countryliving@hearst.com. Dear Editor, I keep a flock of fifteen...

Blog Giveaway Winner! – HenBlog – Sunday, September 18, 2011

David and Wendy Scott, longtime HenBlog readers are the winners of the Goat Notes and book! Wendy, email me your snail mail address and I’ll get the package out to you. I could only pick one winner, and it was determined by a a random number generator (www.random.org) which is fun, easy and impartial. But, rest assured that I read every one of your entries. Thanks to Andrea’s granddaughter I will now be calling Edwina, “Egg-wina.” And thanks to the rest of you, I am energized to continue posting about the goings on in my backyard. But, right now, the...

It’s Greening Up – HenBlog – Thursday, March 8, 2012

It’ll be be another couple of months before the trees leaf out. It’s a month before the bulbs will be up in the front woodland. There’s still snow on the side of the road. But, Scooter can smell the world greening up. Look close, and you can see it. The mosses are plush. If I look down, under the dead leaves and the dried out grasses in the meadow, there are green and growing prickly runners. Agatha isn’t interested in them (she is, instead, transfixed by my sparkly ring.) But, those greens that are hiding are the goaties’ favorite pasture...

How To Help Animals In Joplin – HenBlog – Wednesday, May 25, 2011

...could - I'm not convinced that this is the organization I'd give to. I'd rather give directly to a S&R team. Kathleen Thanks, Terry. Donation sent to HSM. Judy Ditto. Terry Golson Thanks, Kathleen and Judy! Donna I will be next..great idea...thanks! Donna Done..I feel better...That whole situation is beyond horrible. Terry Golson Thanks so much, Donna! Linden Whitfield National Search Dog Foundation has teams in Joplin, they seem to be a legitimate non-profit organization. You can donate through their home page. http://www.searchdogfoundation.org/98/html/index.html Will donate what I can to HSM also. This spate of deadly weather is beyond comprehension. How...

1916 Eggs – HenBlog – Thursday, January 6, 2011

...family farm, using the same well-ventilated, small coops that their grandparents built. Yes, the hens are indoors, and it's not organice, but not crowded. Good people to support. I'd buy their eggs over Trader Joe's organic any day. Terry Golson Ken, as you know, but not the average consumer, "natural" on meat simply means no additives - added to the product after slaughter. Oh, wait, they're allowed to plump with water.... It has nothing to do with how the animals are raised. Terry Golson Hylla, that's a good start. And, a google earth map will show what a scam it...

My Cochlear Implant, My Brain, and Music – HenBlog – Friday, December 9, 2011

...still have the same old LPs. Have you been listening to any Monkees recently? I find that I still enjoy them! :-) Terry Golson I'm glad this post resonated (pun intended after I wrote this!) with so many of you. I'm not sure I'll ever love classical music. I'll never hear it as you do, and between my uneducated ear and what I do hear, I don't think I'll be listening a lot. However, I do like bits and pieces. French horns sound especially nice via my cyborg ears. Suzanne, I did get a Monkees CD and although not everything...

It’s Greek To Me – HenBlog – Thursday, June 10, 2010

...was related to me. We still do not know. My Dad came to the states around 1908 and worked at Sheep farm in Manchester, NH called Nassikas' sheep Farm. He came to the states from a small town called Smixi. he bec April 3 at 4:45pm Terry Golson My friend Karen came up with this article dated 1916. The postcard is from 1948. There's still a lot of story to tell, but this bit of history is fascinating! http://books.google.com/books?id=NjALAQAAIAAJ&lpg=PA309&dq=%22A%20Visit%20to%20a%20Grecian&pg=PA309#v=onepage&q&f=false Sharon That article dated 1916 was interesting and I enjoyed reading it, though I didn't have time to read it all....

The Risk of Adding Hens – HenBlog – Wednesday, January 16, 2013

..."gem"- poultry of the world .jpeg on Wikipedia! :-) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Poultry_of_the_world.jpg Suzanne Oops! There is a higher resolution available, so you can read the print: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Poultry_of_the_world.jpg Terry Golson lovely! Susan Excellent posting! Thank you so much! Terry Golson When I first started with hens I did exactly what you did, and had no problems. Now I know how lucky I was that it worked out. Terry Golson Some breeders vaccinate, some don't. Terry Golson What a terrible experience. It cautions me that when I give my chicken keeping workshops here, that I should be even more careful than I am. I...

My Birthday Present – HenBlog – Sunday, November 17, 2013

...love of a horse makes up for every pain you will have. We started with one , now we have 20. One needed company, one wanted to have a baby, one liked to show, you get it. We have a program for terminally and chronically ill children as well as autistic. We have wonderful children in our program and have been blessed to be able to open our second LifeHorse Center in Culpeper , VA. next year. God's creatures, God's will. So happy you have joined us in our love of horses. Visit us at http//lifehorse.org. Jen from Va Happy...

Keepers – HenBlog – Thursday, May 23, 2013

...happened in Vermont......they would mysteriously disappear! Robert A. How about well known Authors? Such as Abigail Adams (Abby), Judy Blume (Judy) Anne Rice (Annie) and such. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_women_writers Your Librarian friends, me included, would love it on your Library Visits. Rebecca How bout cookies for names. Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter, Snickerdoodle, Oreo, Sugar, Pizzelle, Pinwheel, Spice, etc. Terry Golson I'd thought of that :) When I do school visits, I encourage the children to draw imaginary flock of their own, and to name the hens after favorite book characters, like Eloise, and Pippi. There's always someone in the group that thinks...

Remember – The Vintage Hen – Monday, November 11, 2013

On this Veteran’s Day, take two minutes in silence in gratitude and respect for those who have, and still are, serving in the armed forces.   Veteran’s Day has turned into a day of shopping, and it is up to all of us to keep it a day of remembrance. I will be sending a donation to NEADS, which supplies service dogs to disabled combat veterans (as well as to the deaf, a cause that is personal to me.) Do you have a charity appropriate to Veteran’s Day? Please tell me about it here....

More Bunny Photos – HenBlog – Tuesday, June 4, 2013

...a dog. She works at home and she goes out for frequent walks. But, she lives in a condo (that she owns!) but doesn't have a yard. The rescue wouldn't let her have a dog. Crazy! Terry Golson Great names! I'll need another 20 bunnies so that I can use them all. Some of the suggestions have already been used by me now, or in the past. My first rabbit (well before HenCam) was named Cinder, and that bunny was named after a school horse that I rode when I was 8 years old (and loved and have never forgotten.)...

Automatic Chicken Coop Door – HenBlog – Tuesday, June 25, 2013

...warm nites. I opted out of the automatic door because I was afraid one would get locked out if it didn't go in on time. Also, I want to tidy and check run for predator entry before letting hens out in morning. I wanted one for the convenience, but part of the reason for getting the chickens is to get me outside doing things. I tend to hibernate in the house. Any help will be and is always appreciated. Carol Caldwell I have an automatic coop door that runs on a battery and is light sensitive. I have had it...

A Welcome Return Visitor – HenBlog – Friday, August 2, 2013

...Terry! Rebecca So glad to see a pic of Scooter! Been thinking of him. shelley rodgers those hornworms? ICK! They are disgusting and scarey. BUT our chickens actually fight over them. I saw 2 hens pulling on opposite ends of the hornworm until it *popped* ... each was very happy with her piece. Ick. LeAnn Keenan Beautiful! Your Scooter is pretty cute too. Our Scooter is a tuxedo cat with a stumpy ear and tail, but he brings us lots of "mousy" presents. Karen I like the hornworms, they become Hawk Moths. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphingidae I don't like sharing my tomato plants...

A Scary Day – HenBlog – Friday, August 14, 2015

...made it. SO HAPPY that Pip made it!! :) Michelle So glad for the happy ending! Pip got the best of care; he's a lucky, loved goat. I'm guessing Pip didn't eat much. My ewe lamb got out a couple weeks ago, and before I could grab her, munched down a rhodie leaf. It didn't affect her in any way that I could see. Lynda in Michigan So glad for a happy ending! Connie Moreau Goats are tough, but when they get sick they get really sick...when I was a child one of our kids got bloated and she was...

The Best Scrambled Eggs – HenBlog – Monday, February 17, 2014

...(no soap!) Tell your son that cast iron is the best way to get iron into your diet. Terry Golson Several things differentiate supermarket eggs of any type from homegrown. Freshness is key. Also, even supermarket eggs are washed in a warm water and chemical bath (organic uses organic chemicals.) Eggs are porous and they take on odors from their surroundings. The list goes on (I cover this in detail in my upcoming book.) BUT at least organic chickens are being fed a higher quality ration. Organic companies vary widely in animal care practices so I can't make a blanket...

The Wet, Cold, Spring Garden – HenBlog – Thursday, May 1, 2014

...Look at that belly!   The goats turned five on April 26. Dr. Sarah, their vet, came and gave them their yearly vaccines. I asked if they were, perhaps, a tad tubby. She said no! They’re just right. (The feeders to the left and right of the manger are for kelp and minerals, both essential to feed free-choice for the health of your goats.) By the way- with the warmer weather, we leave the stall door open later. The goats like being out at night. So, don’t worry if you see them out after dark. What’s growing in your garden?...

The Bright Side – HenBlog – Tuesday, May 20, 2014

...got the plants from. I'm local and was wondering if there was a place for organic starts. Thanks! Terry Golson Hutchins Farm in Concord. They have a good selection. Verrill Farm also has some interesting varieties, but they're not organic. Carolyn Terry, I'm going to hold you responsible!! I would so like to have a few tomatoes out on my deck. A couple of days after reading this blog I was a BJ's and they had 3-packs of large Burpee seedlings. As other customers had done, I swapped a few pots around and got a Big (maybe Better?) Girl and...

Tonka’s New Home – HenBlog – Tuesday, September 30, 2014

...right at home. There was one stall available, and after discussion with the barn owners, it was agreed that Tonka would fit in nicely.   Tonka will sleep indoors in a spacious stall.   During the day he has a paddock all to himself.   In the next enclosure over is a lovely grey mare, who has taken quite a shine to Tonka. If Tonka feels likewise, they’ll be put into the same paddock. Horse friendships are wonderful things, filled with play and back scratches. Time will tell if Tonka is interested. For now, though, Tonka doesn’t have to share...

Your Hen’s Hearing – HenBlog – Wednesday, February 25, 2015

...other species. I’ve no doubt that my hens know the difference between Lily’s barks and Scooter’s. They know my voice. Sounds matter. Lawn mowers. Hawk screams. The rattle of the grain bin. Think about that as you care for your flock. Yes, they’re confined, but their world extends farther than the fence that surrounds them. There’s some anecdotal evidence that music makes them more productive. Or at least calmer. I think that it depends on the farmer as to which music they prefer! I don’t play music for my hens, but I am aware of how sounds affect them. I...

Exercise for Hens – HenBlog – Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Janet We have serious bobcat issues in our area so we can't let our chickens out in the yard. What can we do to keep them healthy and happy? Robert There is an e-copy on the internet archive . https://archive.org/details/bigglepoultrycon00biggrich wyldstyle Oh my goodness I really want that book!! wyldstyle Oh my goodness I really want that book!! I love old books and old chicken books are the best!!! Thanks for posting the link. I'll have to check it out :D Kim Perkins My husband always laughs at me when I comment on how tired the hens will be at...

Our Porch Resident – HenBlog – Monday, July 6, 2015

As promised – it’s Phoebe Week here at HenCam! Day One: This is where I live:   Of course, a house is not just the home of the people who live inside. So many creatures live on the walls (daddy longlegs) and under the steps (chipmunks) and in the attic (bats, who we love to see swooping around at dusk, decimating the mosquito population.) We hang the bunting up for Memorial Day, and take it down the week after July Fourth. But not this year. This year we have to wait until our newest residents leave home. This springtime we...

Feeding and Cleaning – HenBlog – Thursday, July 9, 2015

...things `some` do for their children..... :) Eileen This has been one of my favorite chronicles! Thank you so much Terri! I occasionally wondered how birds kept the nest tidy and am so impressed by their dedication to cleanliness. I have had the honor to host phoebe families on the corner of our back porch for at least 20 years now. They return year after year and are such sweet little birds. My family watches for the phoebe's return and then we know spring has arrived for good! The photos are excellent...thanks to both Terri and IT Guy! MicheleB You...

Trees for Bees – HenBlog – Thursday, May 20, 2010

...that were planted 200 years ago are now full-blown beauties. One of them is a Red Buckeye that reaches thirty feet. Although tree guides say that the Red Buckeye is a native of the southeast, and is more shrub than tree, this one proves otherwise. The tree is not easy to find at local nurseries, but my landscaper, Mark, found one and planted it a couple of years ago in my front yard. Those pinky-red bottlebrush blooms are why I wanted this tree. It’s old-fashioned, yet dramatic. I took these photos early this morning, after a heavy rain. When the...

BarnCam Troubles – HenBlog – Wednesday, March 13, 2013

...in Los Angeles Perhaps an overhead view for the cam foregoing the "birds eye view" ? Plus I'd love an exterior view of the big barn run area, where the gems tend to be more often than inside. Flock Mistress I never cease to be amazed at the damage those little feet can do. I watched my Jersey Giant dig out a fully grown rose bush in about 20 minutes one afternoon. She kept digging and scratching and the whole got bigger and bigger and finally the bush just fell over. I just propped it back up and shoveled the...

Agnes’ Dark Comb – HenBlog – Monday, April 30, 2012

...I'm sure she would thank you if she could only talk. I know nothing about chickens but I sure do enjoy your writings!! I'm just an animal lover. Thank you. Brenda The before and after pics are amazing. I'm not sure my chickens would be so calm in a bath. Sheri Wow! That is a visible difference. It doesn't look like the same hen. She must feel a whole lot better, too. Before and after photos really show the change and improvement in her appearance and health. That's a very good tip. Thanks for sharing. Shannon Terry- being a newer...

Icy Pond – HenBlog – Tuesday, February 14, 2012

...only the edges. The pump is on and so there’s always flowing water, which the wild birds appreciate. Look closely at that flash of color under the ice, walk around, bend a little, and this is what you’ll see: Goldfish and goldfish-koi. Are there really that many? Are they really that big? It must be an optical illusion caused by the rippling water. After all, the fish are supposed to be in a state of suspended animation in that frigid water. They don’t eat. They certainly don’t grow. Or breed. Right? We’ll have to wait until springtime to find out....

Pearl Gets A Bath – HenBlog – Tuesday, November 29, 2011

lauren scheuer Awwww, Pearl. You're worth the trouble. Trish (Mucky Cluckers) She's such a lovely girl and even prettier after her wash. Well done you! We have a Lavender Pekin who looks very similar, with feathers down her legs and covering her toes. If there's a tiny patch of mud, she'll find it and get it all over those feet feathers. Should we consider designing wellington boots for them? Terry Golson And it's the feathered-feeted birds that get mud on the eggs. Sigh. Beauty at a price. I'm afraid that if Pearl had Wellies, they'd all want them. Julie I...

Why I Don’t Use Avian Vets – HenBlog – Monday, December 17, 2012

...Only after death, and upon doing a necropsy, will you know what really killed the chicken. Many of the diseases that cause a hen to look sick are incurable. Sometimes the chicken dies soon after looking ill. But, in other cases, the hen can live on for months or years. If she is lucky, though, the hen does not have a lethal disease and can be cured by doing my simple Spa Treatment. In no case would veterinary care help. I expect that at this point, that there will be a number of readers who have had very good experiences...

Candy’s Throne – HenBlog – Thursday, March 17, 2011

...about her and disapproving rabbits. Jenny That would be fun! Terry Golson Kit- I am oh so sending a photo of Candy into that web site. Thanks for the heads up! Terry Golson I got Candy from a local pet store which gets their rabbits from a local breeder - but have no idea if she's a full-bred anything. She'd like to think that she's a "royal lop." (PS you can call me Terry.) Kit She looks like a purebreed Holland lop to me, even down to her broken brown color. And her ear length looks the same too. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2-month_old_Holland_lops.jpg...

The Epsom Salt Cure – HenBlog – Thursday, February 24, 2011

...another good use for it. gail Jones Hi Terry, It's amazing how I can read over all my books and do search after search, only to find just what I need to know on your site. Where do you find your information? I'm in the process of starting a backyard chicken group. Your site will be first on my resource list! Thank you, Gail Vicki in So. CA This is great information, Terry. Thank you. When I finally get my chickens, I will have learned SO much from you. I'd never heard of vent gleet before, but I'm prepared. Like...

Sunlight and Coop Design – HenBlog – Thursday, February 10, 2011

...read the fine print. http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/confinement_farm/facts/guide_egg_labels.html Jeremiah I've heard of lighting to encourage laying, and for health reasons. Do you use any lighting? Theresa Thank you so much Terry! We are designing a coop and will definitely use this good advice! (More windows honey...!) Denise I feel fortunate that my hens can go out every day of the year. I actually worry more about hot summer days since our temps sometimes reach 95-100. Shade cloth and misting helps but I still worry as I see them panting. I sometimes wish I could leave my hens in on days when it's not...

Winter Water Woes – HenBlog – Friday, January 14, 2011

...we had Beau Bunny in our back yard, we used a heated dog dish. The cord came wrapped in a coil of wire so the bunny couldn't gnaw through it. We got it at the local feed store for under $20. http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=heated+dog+bowl&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=6297073397311853285&ei=eVs4TY6NG8WBlAf8gfmPBw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CEMQ8wIwAg# Margie Wolson Sorry, didn't see where you can't run electric. :( Becca Hi...I just watched your appearance on the Martha Stewart show...4-2-10! Great job. I'm new to the chicken world. No chickens as yet. We are waiting for our house in Florida to sell and then moving to Virginia...closer to Kentucky where I was born and raised! Right...

A Break From the Barn – HenBlog – Tuesday, December 14, 2010

On Thursday I’ll be giving the barns a good cleaning. I’ll muck out the goats’ stall, sweep cobwebs and scrub waterers. I’ll scrape chicken manure from a ledge under the big barn’s roost, and put down clean shavings. I’ll give the goats a good brushing and rub coconut oil into Candy’s dry ears. On Friday I’m having surgery and I won’t be allowed in the barns for a couple of weeks. I’m getting a cochlear implant. I’ve been slowly going deaf for years (no one knows why.) I’ve worn hearing aids since my twenties, but as my hearing has worsened,...

What the USDA Really Thinks About Backyard Poultry – HenBlog – Friday, October 15, 2010

...makes me so sad. It is a battle against that sort of money-unit thinking which takes us away from our rural roots. Money might talk, but it is up to the people who want something to make it known. Say it out loud by not buying the factory product. That's the way money talks! eastlandgrl interesting, thanks Terry Golson Ranting is a start, but the next step is to support the organizations who are exposing the animal husbandry abuses, and are actively trying to change regulations. The Cornucopia Institute has a letter that you can print out and sign. http://www.cornucopia.org/2010/09/organic-egg-business-being-hijacked-by-corporate-agribusinesses-help-reverse-this-scandal/...

Birthday Wishes – HenBlog – Thursday, November 12, 2009

...on so many levels. Donna Hi Terry...I have a friend here in California who has goats and makes her own goat milk soap and lotion...She also raises chickens and sells her eggs to an upscale restaurant in San Diego ($5.00/dz!!!!!!) and organic produce..the website is below.... Super nice lady..I get my bantams from her....D. http://www.localharvest.org/store/M11467 Jane Brewin Hi Terry, A very big "Happy Birthday" to you for the 17th. My birthday is exactly a week later. Hope you have a fun day. Lois Deberville Happy late birthday! If you lived closer to VT, I'd have baked you a hen cake!...

Egger's Good Day – HenBlog – Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Hylla Evans Yes, please come read to the interns at the farm institute school, www.greenstringinstitute.org . We can supply your choice of actresses to play Tillie. We can even set up a casting couch for you to audition them ;-) Follow it with great dinner, then maybe a day teaching at Ramekin's in Sonoma to adults. Eggs eggs eggs. Terry Golson So tempting! Especially since it is snowing right now. Would LOVE to travel out your way. Rebecca Boyce Would you be interested in coming for a visit in Florida? I teach Kindergarten in a town called Bradenton just south...

Little Pond Farm Retirement Home for Old Hens – HenBlog – Wednesday, February 17, 2010

...them 3 years 5 months old. Sylvie and Phoebe are now laying after a few months break for moulting and the dark days of winter. Ruby - I think her laying days may be over? She has laid one or tow lash since new year - and a few soft shelled eggs. She was head girl and now there's a man around... it's all a bit different. Like you, I love my 'old girls'. Celia Cathi Bouzide I have to think about this for me. I love the images and the sentiment. I have been keeping hens for the first...

The Real Sign of Spring – HenBlog – Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Linda Symons A friend just the other day told me an 'egg money' story about their grandmother. She sold eggs from her flock on the side without her husband knowing it. She kept putting the egg money away in a jar or can. After a time she had enough to buy a bigger place down the street from where they were living. She mentioned to her husband that they should buy the place and move there. Of course he could not understand where they were going to get the money until she mentioned her egg money. Well he lowered his...