Monthly Archives: November 2012

Holiday Card

This is what is called a RPPC – a real photo post card. Back at the beginning of the 20th century people often had their snapshots made into postcards. This image is one such RPPC. I don’t know the story behind this as there’s no writing on the back, but I think that this photograph is the perfect expression of a winter’s day. With chickens.

Just look at the tassel on the boy’s hat! The wagon is homemade out of a soap box. The rooster and his two hens seem to be enjoying the ride. I wonder where they’re going. Don’t you?

I’ve turned this photograph into a holiday greeting card. It is available at Zazzle.

This photo dates from between 1907 and 1914. I know this because of the style of the printing on the back of the card. I am assuming that this child is a boy because of his dress. Girls at that time did not wear trousers. This child has a boy’s plaid pants and matching suit coat on underneath a winter jacket that has been outgrown. He’s also wearing boots that were likely borrowed from an older male relative. If this were the 1950s, then the clothing would be appropriate for a girl, but, not so in 1910.

HenCam 2013 Calendar

I’ve selected twelve photographs of the animals that you’ve come to know here at HenCam, and put them into a 2013 calendar. It’s available now at Zazzle.com. And, right now, calendars are 25% off at Zazzle! At checkout use CALENDARTIME in the “Zazzle Coupons/Gift Certificates” box.

Calendars come in three sizes. The small is perfect for a work cubicle. Enjoy!

Chicken Tee Giveaway

update: This contest is closed. Miguel is the winner!

This giveaway is an excuse to introduce you to a few of my favorite urban hens. Did you know that keeping chickens is legal in New York City? Did you know that there are chickens improving the lives of some of the most impoverished citizens of our country? Brook Park Chickens in the Bronx are a great example of hens doing good.

photo courtesy of Lily Kesselman

Photographer Lily Kesselman has committed time and resources to the Brook Park Chickens. This is what she says about this urban flock:

Brook Park Chickens was founded in 2011 as a part of The Friends of Brook Park, a community garden in the Mott Haven community of the South Bronx. As the winner of a grant from Just Food, volunteers came together to build the coop and run for the 15 hens that came from the Queens County Farm Museum. Brook Park Chickens is 100% run by volunteers – two come daily to feed, water, clean and take care of the hens. Eggs are shared by all of the volunteers. But the main objective of the coop is to bring in school, after-school and community groups to meet the hens, learn about urban agriculture, and learn more about the community garden where all are welcome.

Mott Haven suffers from serous health issues and poverty. It is estimated that 20% of our youth have asthma and over 50% of all children here live below the national poverty level. The South Bronx is the poorest congressional district in the United States. Community gardens offer neighbors the opportunity to grow their own food, participate in CSA’s and connect with their community. Community beds in the park also allow for residents to learn and grow their own produce no matter what their income. We feel that Brook Park Chickens helps connect people with their food and offer them fresh, healthy and local food they participate in producing. We also encourage neighbors to raise their own chickens and food if they have the space at home! Funds raised through grants and donations provide chicken feed and supplies and tours and workshops are provided to all at no cost. The garden is also a place for rest and relaxation in an area where safe outdoor space is vital.

Lily has created a t-shirt celebrating the Brook Park Hens. The winner of this giveaway will get to pick the size and color of their choice.

All you have to do to enter is to go to this page to read all about the lovely hens that live in the Bronx. Leave a comment here letting me know which chicken is your favorite. (My fav is Betsy – I just love her big, floppy comb.) One entry per person, please. The winner will be selected by a random number generator at 9 pm on Tuesday, November 20. Results will be posted here.

But, don’t rely on fickle fate to get your bronx chicks rule tee! Order one today. You’ll be supporting a great cause.

Prof. Ring & His Goats

Old photographs come to me separated from their histories. Dealers cut them out of albums, and take them out of a boxed collections, so by the time that I purchase them, all I know is what I see.

What I see here is a young boy with two very loved and well-cared for goats. Just look the goats’ trimmed and buttoned wool coats! The smile on the lefthand goat reminds me very much of Pip. Don’t you agree?

There must be a story. He’s Professor Ring? The goats perform? I’ve looked on-line and there’s a mention in a Utah newspaper from 1893, but the archive is locked. I have a very busy day today, and am headed out the door; tomorrow I’ll go to my wonderful town library, with it’s wonderful research librarian, and see if I can find out more. But, I couldn’t wait to share this with you. While I’m uncovering the true story, let’s make one up. I imagine that there is a balancing act and hoops. What do you think these goats do when they perform?

Rainy Day Blahs

It was a dreary day. Although the weather was changeable, I could tell what was going on by simply looking out at the coops. If it was only misting, then the girls were out and about. When it was raining hard they went back inside. All day long it was in/out, in/out. The Gems liked how moist the compost pile was. Lots of worms were wiggling near the surface.

But Pearl, with her extravagantly feathered feet, was none too pleased. She stepped carefully, then finally gave up and went inside.

Amber, the Best Buff, despite the dark skies and the shortened daylight hours, laid an egg.

Candy had her morning hop-around but was quite annoyed at the mud.

She spent most of the day glaring disdainfully at the world from her hutch.

Goats hate to get wet. I gave them extra hay, so as far as they were concerned, it was a good day, anyway. The goats are nothing if not optimistic that all works out in the end.

Lily was bored, but she remained vigilant, which was worth it because not one, but two, UPS trucks pulled into our driveway with deliveries. The UPS trucks are a sheer joy to bark at.

The rainy day was all the same to Scooter. He had his morning nap. And then he had his afternoon nap.

Betsy decided to go to bed early.

I was out of sorts. I got caught in a downpour while loading groceries into the car. I was chilled and grumpy. But, I should take lessons from the optimistic goats. Late in the afternoon I was sitting at my computer in my home office, and suddenly the walls glowed pink. I looked outside. The ground was the color of ripe peaches.

It was a heart-stoppingly beautiful, fleeting moment. The skies cleared just as dusk fell and the treetops glowed yellow in the sun, and then it was dark.

Those goats have it right after all – things have a way of working out in the end.