Found 81 hits.

The Chicken Medicine Cabinet – FAQ – Health and Behavior

...trim some feathers, or cut a piece of duct tape. I also keep a pair of sturdy gloves within reach. Almost everything else in my coop emergency medicine cabinet fits in this case. I keep it in the barn. Rubbing alcohol, gauze, and vaseline have a multitude of uses. Disposable gloves not only protect you from handling gross stuff, but they help to prevent the spread of germs. Duct tape is essential! Among the many uses, I’ve made it into hats to protect pecked-on heads, and fashioned sturdy band-aids out of it to cover wounds. Two other essentials are blu-kote...

Chick Care – FAQ – Health and Behavior

...in a dish. The bulk of a chick’s diet should come from commercial feed formulated specifically for them. Chick feed differs from laying hen ration in several important ways. First of all, it is in the form of crumbles, which, being smaller, is easier for chicks to peck and swallow. Secondly, chick feed is higher in protein, around 18% versus 14 to 16% in laying hen pellets. Lastly, and of the greatest importance, chick feed is low in calcium. Mature birds eat laying hen pellets formulated with calcium because that mineral is necessary to create eggs. What’s good for layers...

Chicken Necropsies – HenBlog – Monday, August 12, 2013

...I detailed here. That other category covers everything from cancer, to fatty liver disease, to internal laying. Once again, it’s sheer guesswork to try to deduce the underlying cause of your hen’s symptoms. Once again, almost everything you read online is wrong. A chicken has only so many ways of looking ill, and that penguin stance, the listlessness, the dark comb, can be caused by any number of very different ailments. Sometimes those symptoms don’t point to a lethal disease. Sometimes a chicken simply needs to get their internal systems moving. Maybe her mineral balance is out of whack. Maybe...

Fun Holiday Shopping – HenBlog – Friday, November 19, 2010

It’s that time of year when the obligatory gift shopping begins. I refuse to get sucked into the commercial frenzy. You can, too. I don’t like malls. I don’t like the physical spaces, the echoey cacophony and the hard surfaces. I don’t like the strained marketing the stores use to get people to buy stuff they don’t need. That said, in all honesty, I do go to the mall. That’s where the Apple store is and where I buy Clinique. But it’s not where I shop for gifts. I also don’t like most gift cards. Gift cards are the equivalent...

Animals IN Nursing Homes – HenBlog – Tuesday, October 21, 2014

...of her employees to “llama school.” This is the designated handler,   but anyone can pet Travis.   Not all of the residents can go outside. No problem. Travis comes in.   Animals bring the unexpected into a place where life is regimented by meal times, therapy sessions and visiting hours. My photographs failed to capture the sheer craziness and joy of the animals in this building. Not only was Travis plodding on his camel-feet down the carpet, but there was this young dog in training learning to work with his occupational therapy owner:   Along with Ellen’s two goldens,...

Gail Damerow Visits The HenCam (and a giveaway!) – HenBlog – Thursday, March 15, 2012

...isn't that common, either, and yet as soon as a hen looks poorly, that's the first assumption! Terry Golson My vet does the fecal. Some people train themselves to do it. You just need a microscope and a field guide to internal parasites. Not all vets do fecals on chickens. Ask around. Also, don't go where they insist on charging you for an office visit (one vet wanted to see the chicken first and charge $65 for that before running a fecal.) All chickens have some level of internal parasites, so something might turn up. It's a matter of quantity....

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

...them all. The vet did not do any blood work, and the diagnosis was one that could have been determined with a quick on-line search. If you do need medical care for your flock, I recommend that Instead of finding an avian vet, look for a large animal practice, preferably with a vet on staff who keeps a flock of chickens on her own farm. Every few years I run fecal samples to make sure that my chickens don’t carry a load of parasites. The avian vet, two towns over, insists that first I need to bring the “patient” in...

A California Visit – HenBlog – Wednesday, December 5, 2012

...kept chickens was tempting. I had always wanted to feed a carrot to a friendly llama. I wanted to meet the other Temecula librarians who were all Tillie Lays an Egg and HenCam fans. Donna said that she’d take me to a winery. I’m not a big drinker. I still might have said no, but then Donna offered to take me there on horseback. I couldn’t possibly refuse. (In the above photo her husband is leading their colt on the winery trail. I’m riding Gus.) I love the internet. Who, you might ask, was taking care of the animals back...

Thinking About Pie – HenBlog – Thursday, November 10, 2011

...yesterday, and thought she was going to roll around in it all day. Such happy hens. LynnT All those recipes sound great! Some favorites around here: -- apple and onion pie with bacon (very medieval -- use one onion and a crumbled slice of cooked bacon to every three apples) -- apple/date/fig/dried cranberry pie with marsala wine and orange zest -- rhubarb-pear pie (as tasty as strawberry-rhubarb, and the pear slices turn such a nice pink!) -- pear-ginger pie thickened with minute tapioca (I use crystallized ginger, but paper-thin fresh-sliced is good too) One of the local grocery chains can...

Sick Hens – HenBlog – Monday, July 8, 2013

...died from it. I’m not going to put a name on the disease. Unless you send a blood sample to a lab, you cannot identify whether it is Mycoplasma, or something else. I’ve paid for the lab tests in the past (quite expensive!) and know this for a fact. Those on-line charts identifying one disease from another are not accurate. What I also know is that by the time the tests come back half of your flock can be dead. Also, regardless of the tests, the treatment is the same. If you’re lucky, it’s bacterial in nature and antibiotics will...

Grit and Probiotics for Chicks – HenBlog – Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Along with providing food and water, there are two other things to offer your chicks that will greatly improve their vitality: grit and probiotics. Chickens, like all birds, do not have teeth. They don’t chew. Rather, they swallow food whole. Their digestive tracts are designed to deal with this. Specifically, a chicken has a gizzard, which is an exceptionally strong muscular pouch that grinds up food. The gizzard does this with the help of small rocks that the chicken swallows. Even if your hens free-range, it’s unlikely that they can find just the right pebbles for their gizzard. Certainly chicks,...

Worms – HenBlog – Thursday, January 21, 2010

...probably around 1890. It was unlikely that the soil harbored parasites. But, every time I bring in a new animal, or visit a friend’s farm and then wear the same clothes in my backyard (I should disinfect, but don’t, it all seems so benign at the time), I run the risk of introducing harmful pathogens and parasites. My first line of defense is that I’m fanatical about keeping my coop runs and paddock clean. There’s no manure build-up to host eggs and larvae. I provide the flock with food-grade diatomaceous earth (see the blog archives for more about this.) Instead...

Treating Candy’s Ears – HenBlog – Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Dr. Meade used the process of elimination to come up with a diagnosis of a fungal infection on Candy’s ears. He took a skin scraping, looked under the microscope, and didn’t see mites or lice. But, the white, dry, lumpy skin on her ears sure looked like an external issue. There wasn’t a test for fungus, but that was the logical conclusion and to go ahead and treat for it. If it didn’t clear it up, then there were some serious systemic issues, perhaps an auto-immune disease. Fortunately, the daily ear washings (with a special disinfectant) and applications of fungicide...

End of Fall Color – HenBlog – Thursday, October 28, 2010

My grandfather was a trucker. He told me of driving trucks with solid rubber tires, of hauling logs on roads in Maine, when he’d shift with both hands and steer with his knees, and of doing long-distance runs to Canada with an auto-transport truck (with my mother and grandmother enjoying the ride from the top car!) He always said that the most dangerous conditions weren’t ice or snow, but wet leaves. They’re treacherously slippery and you can’t see the edge of the road. But, I love it when the leaves come down and narrow my already narrow street. When it...

At the Fryeburg Fair – HenBlog – Monday, October 4, 2010

...spotted steers. Even bigger, was this oxen team. I think they were the gentlest animals at the fair. The owner says they work for cheese doodles and head scratches. I’d rather be around those massive oxen with their sharp horns, than this llama with her annoyed expression. There were also border collies herding sheep, ginormous draft horses, goats, chickens, ducks, geese, pheasants, and a whole barnful of rabbits! I thought about taking this Harlequin bunny home. But I didn’t. I did come home with maple sugar sprinkles and goat milk soap in the shape of a tractor, which was enough....

Warhol Goats – HenBlog – Tuesday, August 13, 2013

While we were away the GoatCam finally gave up the ghost and died. Over the few days that its circuits went bonkers, the GoatCam got artistic. For awhile a gallery of Warhol Goats were streamed online.   IT Guy Steve spent yesterday morning replacing the cam. I assisted by getting the goats into the pasture and closing the gate behind them. They do like *helping* with tools, but for some reason Steve thought he could do a better job without them supervising. So, the GoatCam is now back up and running, albeit a bit less colorfully than last week. We’ll...

Goat Mineral Dispenser – HenBlog – Wednesday, October 10, 2012

...your pipes with something so that your goats aren't endangered. Alice Terry Golson Alice, thank you for this comment. The manufacture and disposal (especially burning) of PVC is a health risk, and so the decision to use this product (like so many) is a compromise. The use of PVC in a feeder is not as unhealthful for the animals as the use as a water dispenser. Ceramic, glass and metal dispensers are not options (dangerous in themselves for other reasons around goats.) So, for now, although not the ideal solution, I will use these feeders. What buckets, etc. do you...

Tools for the Coop – HenBlog – Thursday, January 30, 2014

...trimmed. JoAnn Very well said, as always with what you share Terry! A note about nail clippers, Quik Stop, is a great styptic powder is case a nail is trimmed a bit too short. A cordless nail grinder can be used also with a light gentle touch, also a simple emery board works. Being a pet stylist, ...... JoAnn in case* Lesley S The tool I wouldn`t be without is a children`s sized metal tonged rake. It is perfect for small spaces. I also love the sifter my son made me out of hardware cloth(it is aprox. 2ft by 2ft)....

The Chicken Medicine Cabinet – HenBlog – Wednesday, August 3, 2011

...I have no idea what is causing it other than night picking on her. Poor thing always looks sore. Love your blog I always learn something new here. Cresca in NH Heather Thanks so much for this basic info. Amazingly enough, I was able to use it today (I only got caught up on your blog post several days ago). Had an unfortunate break in by a couple of small dogs who found it amusing to chase, and eventually kill, all but one of my silkies, several of my chiks and injure a duck. I remembered having seen this post...

Position is Everything – The Vintage Hen – Saturday, June 9, 2012

Position in Life is Everything might not be your (or my) motto to live by, but it does apply to eggs. This thermometer was a promotional and educational giveaway provided by the Institute of American Poultry Industries in the 1950s. Egg farms would have their names printed on the item, and they’d nail them to the wall of their barns. I checked online, and Weaver Bros. remain in business. I’m sure that they still pack their eggs pointy end down, although I doubt that they still collect the eggs in baskets (it appears to be a caged operation.) While your...

Lily is 13 – HenBlog – Friday, April 1, 2016

...has faded also but they both look beautiful. May Miss Lilly have many more happy healthy years. Best to you all. Deb M Lesley S Brilliant post! Great to learn Lily`s story and admire all those beautiful pictures of her! :) x 13 jan Fantastic blog lovely to see all the pic's of Lily. Happy Birthday, long may life continue so you can enjoy your well earned retirement. Scooter will keep you company I am sure.......:) connie moreau She has become an important part to all of us who visit your site...she is fun to watch and hear about:) I'm...

Goodbye Brooder, Goodbye (to some) Chicks – HenBlog – Monday, May 20, 2013

...you on their side. Elizabeth Anne (TX) I'm looking forward to the day when you get to list the new hens on the Who's Who. I'm sure you've been working on just the right names. Fun for all of us on the other side of the fence. Terry Golson I do love coming up with names. When I do school visits, I ask the kids for names. There's always one child who thinks that I should name a chicken "Captain Underpants." I'm tempted :) Terry Golson Thank you. Terry Golson He was quite pleased to get the "Dominickers." Jaye Is...

Feeding For Egg Production – The Vintage Hen – Monday, November 12, 2012

This is the booklet that I quoted in today’s post. Although in 1923 farming was on the cusp of change – chickens were moving into climate and heat controlled housing and flocks were getting larger – the vast majority of chickens were still raised in small groups on diversified farms. Not yet invented were antibiotics that in the future would allow for crowding and the brutal conditions of factory production facilities. In the early 20th century, farmers had to rely on light, air, exercise, sanitation and observation. These remain the foundation of good backyard chicken keeping today. My favorite line...

Ta-Dah! A Revamped HenCam – HenBlog – Sunday, May 27, 2012

...two blogs to write (one might require me to go to a flea market to be inspired!) Eventually, there will also be a HenCam online store. (Which will sell, among other things, a book I’ve been working on.) My IT Guy/husband still has lots of glitches to iron out. It’s been crunch-time these last few days. I can’t help with the computer stuff, so I made Rhubarb-Peach Pie yesterday. I’m keeping him fortified! Steve isn’t doing this alone, and there have been two professionals who have worked tirelessly to get HenCam up in it’s new incarnation. Craig, at Edge Design,...

A Good Farm Dog – HenBlog – Wednesday, August 20, 2014

...Jack Russell personality. Never met a stranger. His bold and dominant personality was charming but he took his territory quite seriously, and was vocal and alerted us to every visitor. His sister Annie was much shyer, completely bonded to me and quite delicate in confirmation. But it was Annie who was the superior hunter. Silent, careful and deadly. While Ernie was all bark and wiggling butt, Annie hung back, watched carefully, and quietly then went in for the kill many times. I always have bird feeders which attract rodents and all sorts of vermin. Both dogs completely ignored the birds,...

Dr. Sarah Stops By – HenBlog – Friday, May 10, 2013

...Caper are the cutest! How did they get their names? Terry Golson I named them. Seemed right :) Terry Golson I've been told by llama owners that finding a good llama shearer is like finding a pot of gold. Bobbie ADORABLE! I wonder Terry, do you have the same veterinarian for all your animals or does Dr. Sarah specialize in large animals? Jaumie So cute!! ;) Terry Golson Hi All - to answer the questions: the shots are for 1) rabies, 2) CD&T which protect against two dangerous bacteria and also tetanus. Terry Golson She does both dogs and large...

Caper Goes to the Vet – HenBlog – Thursday, May 13, 2010

...have a Pygmy goat and he was ALWAYS quite comical. One of the most intelligent and easiest animals I even owned. I'll pit their intelligence against a pig's any day! Goats usually freak people out....I'm assuming it's because of "those" eyes...and the fact that sadly people aren't around farm animals anymore. I just found your site the other day and am "enjoying" it very much! Mollie Jo Owner of 4 PET Chicken Girls Donna Hi Terry...I take my llama out for a walk after I have had a crummy day...It is hard to be grumpy walking a llama..We have been...

Black Gnat Season – HenBlog – Wednesday, April 30, 2014

...dashing! I bet he thanks you under his breathe when the other horses aren't around. Jean R He's most beautiful all by himself, but, if it protects him, I'll learn to love it. Terry Golson Really? Just swab some on? How could gnats not like the smell of vanilla? :) Terry Golson There will be more, soon! Donna My horses AND the llama already have fly masks on. I am worried about the summer and what it will be like. The flies are bad already. My llama has not spoken to me for 4 days. He is truly miffed that...

Good Goats – The Vintage Hen – Friday, September 21, 2012

...My heart goes out to Spencer...as a fellow photographer I know what it's like when your subject won't cooperate. Terry Golson Dan, do you have a link to your portfolio? The first time Spencer tried photographing the goats he discovered to never, ever set his equipment down :) I'm glad we supplied someone with a bit of amusement today. BTW, it's always Pip butting Caper away. Dan in Los Angeles I used to have an online portfolio. However since Apple changed to their iCloud my portfolio isn't online. I'll have to upgrade my Mac to get it back on. Oy!...

Jungle Fowl at the Museum – The Vintage Hen – Thursday, August 9, 2012

Donna They kind of look alike! That is there Great Great Great..etc....Granddaddy for sure! Donna I mean "their"......It is still early here! Kit The body reminds me more of a shamo espically with the longer legs and thinner body. But plummage wise I see it with the RIR's. I do know people will collect taxtermied hens, and they usually go for around a hundred dollars. I know someone mentioned online they even saw a taxtermied Polish hen. And I have seen taxtermied silkies on ebay. I have just gotten into eating the website the blogess, and along with zombies she...

A Morning’s Work – HenBlog – Saturday, November 24, 2012

...identify each precious animal. Carol Hi Terry. Those pies look wonderful! At first I thought your onions were kraut. (I am brewing some at the moment.) If your pie crust tutorial is still online, could you please post a link? Being somewhat visually impaired, it's easier for me to read on the computer (I enlarge everything) than in a book. If not, alas, I can and will gladly struggle with the printed page. I too received the calendar last weekend. Zazzle sent it in a strong BOX which I so appreciate because of our rough mail delivery. It's beautiful, and...

Feeding During the Molt – HenBlog – Friday, October 10, 2014

MicheleB Great post. Thanks as always. My new hamp red has dropped only afew feathers and is still laying steadily. My glw are starting to molt but still saying. My ee barely went through a molt last year and doesn't show any signs so far. However she only lays every other day as usual. On the other hand my unusual breeds:Belgan duccles, marans and welsummer are looking like your Jasper ....poor girls. They will get some alfalfa. Hope my local store will carry it. Pam R. Hens are unable to synthesize all the necessary amino acids from plant protein. Having...

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

...this morning, I watched as the Little Barn Ladies lined up to lay in the rabbit hutch....too funny! Do all 6 lay in there? Elizabeth Anne (TX) Eggs are a true comfort food. Too easy and very delicious. This is how we make eggs, too. Eggs for any meal! Carol Caldwell This is also how I make my scrambled eggs and the only time I add to this is special occasions such as Christmas morning breakfast when just as they are done I mix in some thinly sliced bits of smoked salmon. This makes it seem like a bit of...

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

...along the lines of one of those cat climbers. The ones with like three or four shelves that are staggered for easy climbing. Of course for Candy maybe just two and only a couple feet off the ground just in case she slips. If you can find one of these cat climbers at a flea market or yard sale cheap they also make great roosts for chickens espcially if your coop is small. The spiral shape can fit in a small space. I had one in my run years ago as a day roost. I removed the carpet before I...

Backyard Poultry Magazine Giveaway – HenBlog – Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Anke Thank you for hosting such a wonderful giveaway! I really enjoy your blog and have learned a lot about keeping chickens! Heather I do love your website, and though I adore all your hens and the goat boys, I must say I am in love with Tonka. I love all that he represents for you, and your long journey towards hearing more fully. On that note, you must see this super bowl commercial, trust me - http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/01/deaf-seahawks-derrick-coleman-commercial/ Have a lovely Wednesday! Laura I think I love Scooter, even though he's not a Buff Orpington. (Can't hold that against him.)...

Rooster Puppets Giveaway! – HenBlog – Monday, April 16, 2012

...have. : ) Sarah These are incredibly cute! I am the asst. Director for a big summer arts camp that has story tellers (puppets are always needed), I also volunteer for a local k-8 elementary school that would love some time with them, and I also am starting homeschooling next year! Donna Oh my! The stories I could tell in the library with those roosters! Adorable! Elaine @ Sunny Simple Life These are darling. We are a homeschooling family that these would be wonderful for. We host a pre-school group once a week and I have four chickens so the...

Chickens and Dogs – HenBlog – Wednesday, May 28, 2014

...that they were not prey. His heard protector genes prevailed. They are his flock now. When we introduced the new corgi puppy, it happened all over again. Now both dogs help patrol the flock, even intervening with the rooster's 'advances' on the hens when it is 'too aggressive.' The roosters, dogs, hens all intermingle well. The roosters do like to grab some fluffy fur occasionally as the dogs walk by, and then act like they didn't do it. It's comical. We free range with our oldest Corgi guarding the flock all day while we are at work. He takes his...

I Have A New Camera – HenBlog – Sunday, June 26, 2011

...to break tomorrow and return to a sensible 20C. Terry Golson Thanks everyone, for your comments! Makes me feel like I'm a "real" photographer. Steve picked this camera for me because it autofocuses quickly and can take multiple photos, so you can catch that nanosecond when your chicken is doing something cute. I can also use that zoom (with the flower icon - which doesn't screw things up if I forget it's on.) Terry Golson Chickens are the "gateway animal" (like a gateway drug) to larger animals :) kristen I have a leghorn chick and a black giant I think...

Rose Tomato – HenBlog – Friday, August 3, 2012

...While the creepy crawly thing was the most interesting insect I've ever seen, I read that it can decimate tomato plants :( I do, however, have a whole bunch of pickling cukes coming all at once! Carol Caldwell Here in England we have had the wettest summer on record, with very little sun at all. It has rained through April, May, June, July and now continues in August. I have three huge tomato plants and before I have had a single tomato, all the plants have blight. This will be the first year we have no tomato's at all. However...

Chicken Tote Giveaway! – The Vintage Hen – Sunday, July 8, 2012

...I have work at a very casual office, so this would be my new book bag, lunch bag, and shopping bag. Love the idea! Amber So cool - I would put musical instruments and art supplies in it. Nicely done! Karen I would put my two red star girls in my bag, heehee ....my girls love to be with me all the time. It would also work as a fabulous food bag, when I go to the market. Love it Wendy & David Scott This bag would fit the bill to carry lunch and work stuffs back and forth to...

“How To Raise Chickens” Book Giveaway – HenBlog – Monday, April 15, 2013

...Thatcher and also the London Marathon on sunday, there will surely be problems, just pray everyone stays safe xxxx Susan K I have always loved the gentleness of Buff Orpingtons. I have had several other breeds but always come back to this particular chicken. Jonathan My favourite breed is the Black Jersey Giant. Lois I would say Barred Rock - I love black, white and red together. Although I like the white rock too Cathie Just picked up the little sweeties yesterday, but I'd have to say the Dominique. Susan Orpingtons, but in all the different color variations -- not...

Chicken Chore Clothes – The Vintage Hen – Monday, July 15, 2013

...free women, automatic washing machines did. Ken LOL Elizabeth Anne (TX) Maybe this photo was taken in October or April. Terry Golson There's always a trade-off, George :) Terry Golson Lucky you to have those family stories. Terry Golson Men had more options re: skinny dipping. Terry Golson By 1920 the fashions had totally changed, and by the Depression rural people were wearing those feed sack dresses. Certainly more comfortable! Terry Golson She certainly made a lot of work for herself. I've never heard the expression "Scrubby Dutch," is it a midwestern thing? Terry Golson Love the freezer, and I'd...

Hidden In Plain Sight – HenBlog – Thursday, September 5, 2013

Jonathan The black pumpkin is awesome. Kris Ugh, sorry about all your squash. But glad the girls are helping you to not let them go to waste. What will you change about your plot next year other than the plastic mulch? Terry Golson Weed, weed, weed. Space out the plants, and leave room near the gate so that I can get into the patch! Christine O. It looks like your butternut squash did alright. Do the girls like to eat the bug eggs? Or are they too nasty too? Elizabeth Anne (TX) Had to scratch my head as if someone...

Mothers and Daughters (and chickens and a goat) – The Vintage Hen – Saturday, May 10, 2014

I love this photograph of three generations of women and daughters. This family portrait was not a spontaneous snap shot. All of the women are wearing their finest clothes, embellished with lace, bows and jewelry. And yet, they pose with animals under their care – chickens and goats. (Notice the goat cart that the youngest is perched on!) These animals were symbolic of the realm of women’s work, and also a sign that there was abundance and productivity on the farm. Look closely at their smiling faces filled with pride and love of family. I wish the same for you...

Misty’s Disappearing Act – HenBlog – Friday, August 7, 2015

...look like breath mint strips that dissolve on the tongue. The problem is you need scissors to open the packs. But as soon as you get bit/stung by something questionable, two go on the tongue. They can help lessen the reaction and give you time to react or get to the ER. It might also be time to have two epinephrine auto-injectors on hand. Because I can speak from personal experience that YES, if you had a reaction that bad this time, the next time will probably be worse. Jan Have you thought of trying the cheap all in one...

Vintage Cat Photo – The Vintage Hen – Tuesday, March 25, 2014

...learning a lot from your site. Judy Meow, Meow! From two big ginger kitties in Washington, DC, to all the ladies and gentlemen at Little Pond Farm. We enjoyed everyone's blogs/tales about their feline friends :) Carolyn M I have two cats, three chickens and one dog. And they all get along with each other. I do think the chickens rule! Or at least they did when head hen Ginger was alive. She'd peck the nose of the cats and dog if they came too close. Ângela I have two kittens that I love and are my mates all hours....

Cure for the Common Cold – HenBlog – Wednesday, April 6, 2016

...it and enjoy my "girls"all the more when i get home. Feel better Terry and thanks for all the great posts!! :) Terry Golson Nothing worse than being sick while away from home. I'll be taking a llama training/care course in September! Not because I'm getting llamas, but because working with other species is enlightening about one's own. Are your llamas pasture pets? Guard llamas? Jean R Animals seem to be intuitively tuned to our health and moods. And we have to work so hard to be better attuned to them. Thanks for all the awareness that you pass along...

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

...Thanks again for all you and Steve do, Terry! I love HenCam, and appreciate all your wisdom! Ken So glad things are going so well. Scary times when we have a really sick animal. Rebecca Happy News about about Pip!! And for all of you. I hiked once with a Llama here in the Smokies. It was a constant effort to keep him away from the rhodies. They want to eat everything along the trail. I was worn out after that hike worrying about him getting poisioned. Kris So glad Pip is ok!!! Great ending to a very scary story!...

A Cautionary Tale – HenBlog – Monday, August 11, 2014

...the parasites become resistant to the chemicals. So, it's prudent to use management techniques to interrupt the parasites' life cycles. Most of the parasites emerge out of the soil and climb up grasses - but it turns out that they only climb so high. So, if goats browse on tall forage, they eat above the parasite line. The best thing for goats it to graze in a field that is knee-high and above. If you can keep the animals off of the pasture until it is overgrown, that reduces the parasite load inside of the animal. Terry Golson I feel...

Thanks for the Carrots! – HenBlog – Thursday, June 19, 2014

...height so they do some rather ridiculous gymnastics there as well. Donna She's not FAT! She's FLUFFY! I had my llama sheared yesterday and the shearer says "Oh! He is a little round! Oh well! He will even out"...I have no idea what that means but I am buying it.....LOL Melissa She says she's merely preparing for another New England winter! Terry Golson Phoebe and I very much appreciate all of the excuses for her rotundity. Yes, she'll even out! And her head will get bigger, and she's all set for bad weather :) Nicolo Spring? Never heard of it!!...

An Odd Harvest – HenBlog – Monday, August 9, 2010

...in the past years! Terry Golson I love tomatilla salsa! Terry Golson When I was about 5 years old, and not allowed any pets, I kept a tomato horn worm! In a shoe box! Can't stand them, now. Even the chickens say they're too big and ugly to fuss with. Terry Golson Isn't it wonderful when kids eat cherry tomatoes like candy? Donna How funny! They are truly a disgusting looking thing! Terry, I could not have pets either..do you think we are on to something? Let's see...3 cats, 1 llama, 3 horses, assorted parakeets and 1 cockatiel, and 40...

Shedding Season – HenBlog – Wednesday, March 5, 2014

...this week..it is made of rubber and has rubber nubs or fingers all over it and you wrap it around a fence post! I would have bought one for the llama but it was $59.00...I bet you could find one cheaper online...not sure what you would look up? Rubber nubs might produce all kinds of weird results...LOL Jean R Pip's and Caper's Goat Maid runs a great spa. Thanks for reminding us of Mother Nature's recycling plan. Terry Golson I bought something similar for the goats. It's attached to the side of the barn. They ignore it. They say that...

Book Giveaway! – The Vintage Hen – Tuesday, September 17, 2013

...Llama needs to be in there! LOL!!!!! Mary Honeyfield I'm a little partial to the chicken and dog photos since I have both those animals, however the pigs are so cute I think I like them best. Enjoy you whole site! Mary Honeyfield Just "liked" you on FB! Mary Honeyfield Shared your link on FB! Michele b I love them all but my favorite is the dog cover. I did share the link on facebook. Renata Carvalho All of them are just adorable! But I have to choose one, so I pick the dog cover. Julia The motoring dog wins...

Bainbridge Farm Goods Giveaway! – The Vintage Hen – Wednesday, September 12, 2012

...Beryl, a Buff O in the other flock has gone broody.... again. Sigh. Gust Front Farm Wow! I could use several of these signs because I have an organic garden, lots of varieties of berries, and chickens. Maybe I should get several and switch out which one I display according to the season... Anyway, if I could just pick one, I would get the purple "Farm Fresh Eggs" sign. Angela My fav is "5mph Chickens at Play", but they are all so cute! Elizabeth Anne (TX) They are all so precious. What a wonderful give-a-way! Hard to choose, but I...

How Many Hens? – HenBlog – Monday, July 30, 2012

...already know that I have a soft spot for the old, retired girls. Still, eggs are an essential part of the picture, and as such most people who go into backyard chicken keeping want to know how many chickens they should get in order to have enough eggs. I can’t tell you how many hens you need in order to have eggs to supply your table. First of all, the more eggs you have, the more you eat! You might think that two eggs a day is plenty, and then you start eating eggs everyday for breakfast. Secondly, how many...

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

...those annoying hens, Siouxsie and Tina. The children fed her lots of cracked corn, and it was ALL HERS. No sharing. She was held and pet gently by little hands. This made her very happy. The children were happy, too. They tried to capture Egger’s beauty in their drawings. Of course, it’s impossible to paint a chicken who is so perfect in real life, but they came close. If you would like one of the “actresses who play Tillie” and me to come to your school email me (terry@terrygolson.com). Eggers, Betsy and Coco are all eager for more road trips....

Working From Home – HenBlog – Monday, April 5, 2010

Angela Mesquita Ah ... what fun life... God bless you for taking such good care of animals. I laughed a lot reading this story. bunnylady Glad u were home and saw it happen and got too him so quickly!! I all ways worry about my bunny kids doing something like that with their toys when I am away. I was @ work yesterday when we had a 7.2 earthquake here. I called my roomie and he said the bunny kids were a little freaked but ok. The cats though had total disappeared. They showed up when I got home thankfully....

Changes With The Molt – HenBlog – Thursday, December 6, 2012

...know I will be using it for my 102 biology book, if I make it in to their site. Also I was wondering in your antique collecting of postcards, photos, and chicken memorable, have you ever bought anytihng off the site shopgoodwill.com ? It is a online auction site for goodwill's all over the country? Elaine @ Sunny Simple Life I so enjoy seeing all your girls. jonathan I just noticed my.Jersey Giant is missing.all the feather around.her vent, I swear I.thought he Moulted 2.months ago when she lost.her tail Terry Golson I doubt it's the molt. I've got a...

A Sad Day – HenBlog – Wednesday, January 9, 2013

...Candy. As soon as I saw her hutch closed and none of her usual hopping back and forth this morning despite the chickens running about, I felt something was terribly wrong and have been waiting in dread for the news. I am grateful for all the calm and joy she as the inquistive Empress allowed me over the years and especially thankful I had a happy last image of her enjoying the snow yesterday afternoon before I ran off to a 1:30 class. Oh, the barnyard will not be the same without her. She was an original. Rest in peace,...

Apologies To The Orps – HenBlog – Friday, November 2, 2012

...crosses. Maybe your brother would take the roos? Bobbie You offered them for sale on Facebook! That is too funny! I'm glad they were able to redeem themselves. Opal is so beautiful, Delaware is a breed for my wish list. You've had the GEMS for over one year almost at the two year mark and all are well. A friend of my sister had a dozen chickens and within the first year lost 2 to health problems. Kirstine We've had three Buff Orpingtons over the years. They do molt - there are loads of feathers about, but we always wonder...

Chicken Waterers – HenBlog – Thursday, September 20, 2012

...wet area around my composter I just had to look it up. Terry Golson There are also glass bases and waterers from the 1920s. Thanks for identifying the weed as ladysthumb. Its everywhere and even the goats don't like to eat it. Terry Golson The base is sold at the local feedstore, but you can also find online, like here. Marcia Matthysse I haven't seen Betsy for quite awhile now. Is she okay? Maybe I just haven't been watching at times when she's on camera. Terry Golson She is broody and is in the lefthand nesting box, hunkered down so...

The Workshop – HenBlog – Sunday, July 8, 2012

On Saturday, the weather prediction was for a stifling hot day, but although it was humid, it was cloudy and the temperature didn’t rise above 90 degrees F. Perhaps it was this moderate weather that put all of the Backyard Chicken Keeping Workshop participants in a good mood. Or maybe it was the relaxing meandering around the gardens before we got started. In any event, they seemed a content group while on the porch, listening to what I had to say about chicken keeping. Then again, maybe it was the iced tea and cookies. After the lecture, I took the...

What Do You Want at HenCam? – HenBlog – Tuesday, January 10, 2012

...a guided meditation. Also- really fond of the photographs! Especially the recent one of the white bantam hen (Coco?) Keep up the great work. Suzanne Oh yeah- I enjoy the recipes too! Holly Colson Love the animal stories!!! And love all the chicken info...I log on every day to see how Candy is doing and of course all the chickens. The story on Candy was GREAT!!! I love getting to know all the animals personalities. Do more stories on each animal so we can get to know them even better. (Just an idea)Keep up the great work...I love your site!...

On The Road – HenBlog – Thursday, March 11, 2010

...good deal further from Vermont than 300 miles (more like 2.5 to 3 times that from NC). I really envy you that stop on your trip. But there's always the web site :), :), :). Just to tease you a bit, my crocuses are just coming into bloom and the dafs aren't far behind. But everything delayed this year with the unseasonably chilly late winter. Fortunately, little to no snow. Daisy I saw you picking up feathers in the coop one day & wondered what that was all about. Hmmm.....I'll bet it was for the children's craft project! Hope you'll...

Merry Christmas Wishes – HenBlog – Wednesday, December 23, 2009

...site while googling for live cams. What a delight it is! I've already sent a link to several friends. I love your farmette and all your animals friends. Terry Golson I just looked at your site. I'd LOVE to have donkeys. And a horse. Sigh.. No room here. Though I could squeeze in a few more chickens :) Ken from a very rainy St Louis Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to all. My grandmother always told us an old wives tale that God granted the rooster his crow on the birth of Jesus. Linda, I too was born into a...

Keeping the Girls Busy – HenBlog – Wednesday, October 6, 2010

...space for nesting boxes, but not roosts. Chickens need a minimum of two square feet of floor space per animal. Chickens of all one breed, as seen on most commercial farms, tend to get along more easily than flocks composed of different sizes, colors and temperaments. Mixed backyard flocks need generous floor space and multi-tiered roosts. On snowy, stuck-indoors days, my tiny bantams, Betsy and Coco, stay out of the way under the nesting boxes. The bigger girls claim spaces on the roosts, and everyone avoids crazy Lulu who paces the floor. If all they had were three nesting boxes...

Egg White Magic – HenBlog – Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Judy With all of your blogs about cooking I've been meaning to tell you how much I've enjoyed your online recipes (apple pie, pie crust, too ripe pears, etc.). But most of all, I am a fan of your 1000 Lowfat Recipes Cookbook, and use it almost exclusively for daily fare. Tasty stuff!! Terry Golson Thanks, Judy! 1,000 is still in print - more than ten years. A long time for a cookbook, and speaks to how useful people find it. I tested each and every one of those 1,000 recipes several times. They work! Donna Terry..BTW..Brussel sprouts were a...

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

...down time, how about a Fred & Ginger/Cyd Charisse/Leslie Caron festival. The Dancing in the Dark duet with Cyd Charisse never disappoints. Or Kate and Spencer Tracy. I also love old Bette Davis movies, but the endings aren't always so happy. Best of luck. Terry Golson Thanks for all of your well wishes! And the movie suggestions. I've already added some to my netflix queue. I agree that Babe is a wonderful movie - one of the few movies based on a kid's book that doesn't ruin brilliant writing (Babe is right up there near Charlotte's Web in the all-time...

Asparagus Season – HenBlog – Thursday, May 5, 2011

Jude M. That is exactly how I make it. Lemon and asparagus pair so nicely together. The bite of the hard parm cheese is perfect. I just got a friend to start making it this way and he said he will never steam it again. Baking gives it a nutty flavor! AstoundMe.Go mmmmmmm, you can also try all the same over settings and all the same prep work but instead of grating cheese just put fresh cracked pepper, and squeezed lemon on them. bake them to the halfway point and turn them, then add chunked feta cheese and pine nuts...

Animal Update – HenBlog – Monday, May 30, 2011

...even one of them. Terry Golson Food-grade DE is very effective against parasites and lice, but is not a treatment for bacterial and viral diseases. Although the Mycoplasma is easy to kill off with a good cleaning and disinfecting, it can return both on wild birds and also because my flock will now be carriers. No easy answers - just vigilance! Terry Golson I didn't know that the feather color changed from chick to pullet to mature. Interesting! Denise One more reason for me to dislike all the birds we have this year. The Magpies have become such a nuisance....

Barn Boots – HenBlog – Sunday, October 16, 2011

I’m hard on boots. I keep a pair of slip-on rubber boots by the back door. I like waterproof boots which keep my feet dry through dew, rain, snow and mud. I like boots that are almost knee-high so that I can stand in the pond and pull weeds. I like boots sturdy enough to stomp on electric fence posts, and not rip when a goat stands on my foot. I also like to buy my boots on sale because I know from experience that in no time at all they’ll look like this: Those charming pink boots were bought...

The Goats Get A Beard Trim – HenBlog – Wednesday, November 9, 2011

...saw a home with big barn almost identical to yours Terry! AND a couple hens in the photo. APPROVED!! ;-) Kit I have tried that, just playing with his feet. He won't allow me to touch them at all, and as acting domiant by grabbing the back of his neck. All he does is struggle more, and I don't want to get scratched or bit. So I don't know what else to do. Would clicker training work for cat to allow a person to clip their nails ? Terry Golson Yes, cats can be clicker trained. Go here to start....

At The Fair – HenBlog – Tuesday, August 14, 2012

lauren scheuer Sweet! I love the Bolton Fair. Just yesterday I looked it up online, only to find that I'd missed it. Meet me there next year? Natalie, the Chickenblogger Well, yes... I do want that T-shirt! You have shared all my favorite parts of the fair. The animals, the personal endeavors of farmers and artisans, children in 4H. Add an ear of roasted corn, and it makes my visit complete! Thanks for the fun. Elaine @ Sunny Simple Life Love the fair and this time I want to make sure to see all the fowl. Cresca Great post Terry....

Collecting Egg Cups – HenBlog – Thursday, January 5, 2012

...I am a new fan of your blog (first hens will arrive in April!). We live in Canada near Algonquin Provincial Park and so have built an insulated coop. I wonder if your friend Wendy has a pattern for that little hen egg cozy. I would love to knit one. Miriam Hello Terry, I am a new fan of your blog - learn so much and enjoy the flock. We live in Canada near Algonquin provincial Park and so have built an isulated coop. We expect to have our first chicks in April. I'm wondering if your friend, Wendy, has...

Book Giveaway! – The Vintage Hen – Monday, January 14, 2013

...Let your friends know about this book on FaceBook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Google+, and then let me know, here, that you did so. If you don’t do any social media, that’s fine, too. Just leave a comment and you’re in! The winner will be selected by a random number generator on Thursday, January 17 at 9 pm EST. This contest is open to all, so my international readers are invited to enter. Can’t wait to see if you won? Purchase a copy now! I’m running a special for the month of January – FREE SHIPPING, even to international addresses. (Yes,...

A Project In The Works – HenBlog – Wednesday, March 14, 2012

...I'd buy either, but would prefer an actual book. Ken I definately would prefer the book. Those are some very large chickens or small children. Leanna I like postcards. You can find great frames (including the matte and glass) very inexpensively at stores like TJMaxx and Marshalls, and they are the perfect size for displaying unusual and interesting postcards. That way you can enjoy the images all of the time and change them out seasonally or just for something new. Jenerva Postcards PLEASE! Would love to send them and collect them and display them :) Kitty McKnight I like the...

Digging Dandelions – HenBlog – Wednesday, April 18, 2012

...do want these pretty little flowers. So, I dig up the dandelions, one by one. If I do about four minutes a day of digging, I can keep the dandelions under control. It’s a tedious chore and it makes my back ache. But, I do get immediate gratification because I have a cheering section. The chickens eagerly scarf up the dandelions. Dark, leafy greens are essential to a flock’s health, and what with how high feed prices have gone up, I feel quite frugal giving them this treat. Candy eats the flowers and the greens. They are also very good...

The Chicks I Picked – HenBlog – Thursday, January 3, 2013

...keeping. I really hope this project will prove to be succesful. Every nursing home should have pets! Terry Golson The coop will have an automatic door, so the caretaker's schedule won't be too difficult. This nursing home director is forward thinking, and already has built a barn and installed llamas and goats, and there are two dogs in residence. Judy marvelli Fantastic project. I work with the elderly and one of biggest complaints is boredom,these once active people are now resigned to long days of nothing but tv and looking forward to visits from familys. I think chickens are a...

Presents – HenBlog – Wednesday, April 7, 2010

...print. Hope the one I want doesn't sell out before I get a chance to buy it. the 7msn ranch Missed Martha's show on Friday but just watched in online - I can't believe you clicker-trained a chicken! Well, yes, I can believe it, but how cool. Poor Tillie, though...there's Martha click-click-clicking away, confusing her. Anyway, you and Tillie both did such a great job - I enjoyed seeing you in person. Terry Golson I actually clicker trained several chickens! All of the photos in Tillie Lays an Egg were staged. What's so wonderful about that sort of training is...

In Bloom Now – HenBlog – Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Marie Beautiful........ Jen WOW! Gorgeous..... Sheila Breathtaking photos, thanks for sharing. Kris Beautiful flowers. Your pictures are always so pretty. What are you shooting with? Are these all perennials? I would love to know the names of the third and fourth from the top. Miriam H Terry, Here is a 'chicken story' from Canada. We are brand new chicken keepers with four young Buff Orpingtons(?) raised from tiny chicks. They are now seven weeks old. We call one of them Golda - because she has beautiful yellow feet and beak. The others all have pinkish white feet. Why? We checked...

I Milk A Goat! – HenBlog – Monday, July 23, 2012

...know how much trouble they can be :) Kit Nice to meet you Martha, you breed some very pretty goats. I was wondering since you are a breeder, and deal with stinky bucks ? Have you ever gotten around a buck that was so stinky in musk that you needed to wear a gas mask around them and a special suit so that the stink won't get on you ? Because I guy I know online is breeding his Nubians for the first time, and borrowed a buck for the first time, and he is stinky enough that he is...