If you're getting chicks this spring, this talk will tell you what you need to know to take good care of them so that the little ones will grow into thriving laying hens. Free and open to the public.
I'll be talking about Getting Started With Chickens at New England Nurseries. New England Nurseries is a local garden center that I rely on for seeds (what a selection!) and koi food, as well as plants. They've invited me to be part of their Saturday morning lecture series. The talk is free and open to … more
Who's in the Henhouse - Raising Chickens: an introductory slideshow and discussion on what you need to know to get started with your own backyard flock of laying hens. Sign up through Dover Sherborn Community Education.
I'll be at the Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary for a program based on my book, The Farmstead Egg Guide and Cookbook. I'll go over the pros and cons of backyard chicken keeping, and then talk about what makes a good egg, good. There will be samples of good eggs to taste!
A hen and I will be teaching all of the second graders about chickens, how eggs are made, and the science of chicken poop!
Once a year the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts hosts a speaker's day so that the clubs can select presenters for their programming. I have a talk, Backyard Chicken Keeping for Gardeners that I'm hoping some clubs will want to host. I think i'll be the only speaker there with a chicken!
Each year I look forward to visiting the Peter Noyes School in Sudbury, MA and teaching the kindergartners about eggs and chickens! Of course, I'll have a friendly hen for them to meet and pet.
I'll be doing two programs at the Merrimac Public Library. At 3 pm I'll do a short talk for adults about chicken keeping and why backyard eggs are so delicious. Books will be available for purchase. At 4 pm I'll do a Chicken Storytime. I'll read Tillie Lays an Egg, and the children can meet … more
I'll be taking part in the Haynes School Chicken festivities. The kindergartners are hatching chicks, and I'll bring one of my hens so that they can see what a full-grown chicken looks like (as well as reading Tillie Lays an Egg, and talking about how those eggs are made!)
This 2-hour workshop in my backyard will cover the basics of what you need to know to have your own small flock of laying hens. You'll learn everything from feeding, to flock dynamics, to predator protection, to coop design, to what to do with manure (you'll get to see my composting system). You'll even get to … more
Come for a casual chat on the porch at the Complete Equestrian Saddlery, in Bedford, Massachusetts. I'll get the discussion going, talking about horse ethology (the study of animal behavior in the natural environment.) There is new and insightful research into horse ethology that can help every owner better care for and train her horse. Find out what … more
How do you reward a horse? Have you heard the terms “positive reinforcement,” “clicker training,” “pressure and release,” and “natural horsemanship?” What about “respect,” “dominance,” “compliant” and “cooperative?” They’re not the same! Terry Golson from The Cooperative Horse, will lead the discussion. We'll delve into the science behind what motivates behavior and makes training sessions successful. Lemonade and cookies … more