Our next chicken class is just around the corner!
Mark your calendars:
April 20th
10am-11:30am
Robinson's Feed - Lodi, CA
If you are new to raising chickens or are thinking about getting some chicks this spring, this is the class for you! Robinson's Feed and Country Western Store in Lodi is again sponsoring and hosting a class for people interested in having chickens in their backyard.
This is a free class, which is even better! It's a great chance to ask questions and learn tips about raising a flock of your own.
As always, Robinson's is offering some fantastic raffle prizes to all those who attend. Manna Pro will also have their local rep, JR, on hand to answer questions about feed and products.
Please join us! For more information, send an email to chickensforeggs@gmail.com or call Robinson's at (209) 368-2716.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Top Ten Signs You Have a Special Chicken
My friend and peer, Jennifer Murtoff, is the person who inspired me to become an "urban chicken consultant" a few years back. She is genuine, giving, and successfully started her own chicken consulting business in the Chicago area.
She shared this super-funny "Top Ten List" of David Letterman's on her blog, and I had to pass it along! Here is the video clip:
She shared this super-funny "Top Ten List" of David Letterman's on her blog, and I had to pass it along! Here is the video clip:
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Spring Time = Hatching Time!
Early each spring, my poultry friends begin to get their birds ready for the breeding season. For those who exhibit and show chickens, this is a vital time of year; it's serious business! Preparing breeding pens, charting genetics, making sure the birds are healthy, and laying - is a busy process. The birds that breeders hatch now will determine their success at shows later in the year.
For me and my family, it involves seeing how much room we have, and when the chicks will hatch....they are babies that need care and a watchful eye. Breeding and hatching is the easy part....it's the post-hatch care that takes the most time and effort.
If you are considering raising poultry for the first time and want to start with baby chicks, take care to learn what it takes and get the supplies you need before your chicks arrive. Plan ahead, have everything ready, and enjoy your new additions!
Early each spring, my poultry friends begin to get their birds ready for the breeding season. For those who exhibit and show chickens, this is a vital time of year; it's serious business! Preparing breeding pens, charting genetics, making sure the birds are healthy, and laying - is a busy process. The birds that breeders hatch now will determine their success at shows later in the year.
For me and my family, it involves seeing how much room we have, and when the chicks will hatch....they are babies that need care and a watchful eye. Breeding and hatching is the easy part....it's the post-hatch care that takes the most time and effort.
If you are considering raising poultry for the first time and want to start with baby chicks, take care to learn what it takes and get the supplies you need before your chicks arrive. Plan ahead, have everything ready, and enjoy your new additions!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Cigarette Butts May Prevent Mites
Scientific American just published an interesting article about cigarette butts and the white fibrous material inside; apparently, birds who's nests had more of this incorporated in the nest-building were less likely to have mites!
It appears that nicotine laced bedding made a difference...which makes me wonder if this might be something to look into for poultry owners.
Here's the article and a link to the original study:
"Cigarettes are bad for your health. But that’s only if you smoke ‘em. If you use them to line your nest, they might actually do you some good. Because birds that decorate their digs with discarded cigarette butts are less bothered by parasites. That’s according to a study in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters. [Monserrat Suárez-Rodríguez, Isabel López-Rull and Constantino Macías Garcia, Incorporation of cigarette butts into nests reduces nest ectoparasite load in urban birds: new ingredients for an old recipe?]
When building a nest, birds tend to make do with the materials at hand—or at beak. Twigs and leaves are popular choices. But what about city birds? Some reach for cigarettes, or at least the fluffy white fibers found in their filters.
Scientists got to wondering whether this habit might provide the birds benefits other than comfy bedding. So they grabbed the nests of finches and sparrows that were living on the campus of the National University of Mexico. That’s in the heart of Mexico City. And they found that the nests that were festooned with the most filter fiber had the lowest numbers of mites.
Could be that the little bloodsuckers are turned off by nicotine. Or maybe they’ve heard about the dangers of secondhand smoke. But for the birds, a butt a day might just keep mites away."
By Karen Hopkin
Podcast & Link: Scientific American - 60 Second Science
It appears that nicotine laced bedding made a difference...which makes me wonder if this might be something to look into for poultry owners.
Here's the article and a link to the original study:
"Cigarettes are bad for your health. But that’s only if you smoke ‘em. If you use them to line your nest, they might actually do you some good. Because birds that decorate their digs with discarded cigarette butts are less bothered by parasites. That’s according to a study in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters. [Monserrat Suárez-Rodríguez, Isabel López-Rull and Constantino Macías Garcia, Incorporation of cigarette butts into nests reduces nest ectoparasite load in urban birds: new ingredients for an old recipe?]
When building a nest, birds tend to make do with the materials at hand—or at beak. Twigs and leaves are popular choices. But what about city birds? Some reach for cigarettes, or at least the fluffy white fibers found in their filters.
Scientists got to wondering whether this habit might provide the birds benefits other than comfy bedding. So they grabbed the nests of finches and sparrows that were living on the campus of the National University of Mexico. That’s in the heart of Mexico City. And they found that the nests that were festooned with the most filter fiber had the lowest numbers of mites.
Could be that the little bloodsuckers are turned off by nicotine. Or maybe they’ve heard about the dangers of secondhand smoke. But for the birds, a butt a day might just keep mites away."
By Karen Hopkin
Podcast & Link: Scientific American - 60 Second Science
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Great Article in the Lodi News Sentinel!
Check out the spread in the "Life & Style" magazine insert in the Lodi News Sentinel!
Many thanks to reporter Jennifer Bonnett and Dan Evans - what a wonderful article which highlighted the great things about raising chickens!
For those of you who are interested in joining the Delta Backyard Poultry Meetup group, go to http://www.meetup.com/The-Delta-Backyard-Poultry-Meetup-Group/
Many thanks to reporter Jennifer Bonnett and Dan Evans - what a wonderful article which highlighted the great things about raising chickens!
For those of you who are interested in joining the Delta Backyard Poultry Meetup group, go to http://www.meetup.com/The-Delta-Backyard-Poultry-Meetup-Group/
Monday, October 1, 2012
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Chickens for Eggs is a consulting service for people interested in becoming owners of backyard chickens, as well as providers of specialized poultry care while you are away from home. Whether you are new to chickens or a seasoned flock owner, we can assist you with....
- Choosing particular breeds of chickens that match your intended purpose (such as laying hens for eggs, rare breeds for a colorful flock, or pure-bred poultry for exhibition)
- Coop set-up and design, as well as best space options and functionality
- Feed and supplement recommendations
- Identifying common poultry illnesses and causes, as well as possible treatment (including referral to an Avian Veterinarian)
- The care of chicks and adult birds
- "Best Practices" when it comes to coop bio security and sanitation
- Poultry behavior and personalities
- Predator protection recommendations
- Emergency "911" chicken situations
- And so much more!
No matter what your poultry need, we offer consultation services by phone, email, or in person (where available in the San Joaquin & Sacramento Valley/Gold Country/Foothills/Delta region). Contact us today for more information on rates and what we can provide - email us at chickensforeggs@gmail.com
"We're very impressed with your consulting service. You gave great advice and the thing we loved most about you was that your advice was "practical advice". You are awesome!!!!
I will recommend you to any of my chicken geek friends" - Melody & Robb
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Finding Chickens in British Columbia, Canada
We recently returned from a family adventure in Canada! We took a road trip up to Vancouver Island and made stops along the way to see the sights. Naturally, looking for "anything chicken" meant keeping our eyes peeled for our feathered friends.
Along our way through Washington, one of the stops included the Museum of Flight in Seattle. What a great collection of planes and history!
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| Who could resist a plane called "Wyandotts"? |
Once in Victoria, B.C., we made a visit to the world famous "Miniature World" on Humboldt Street. The building is filled with miniature displays (filled with replicas of just about everything you can imagine).
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| A farm....see the chickens at the top and to the left? |
Also in Duncan, we visited the Pacific Northwest Raptor Centre and saw some incredible birds! Here is Emily, our Raptor Presenter during the flight demonstration.
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| Emily with a Bald Eagle. |
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| A barn owl swooping in. |
Back in Victoria, we spotted a food truck called the "Hungry Rooster".
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| A food truck in downtown Victoria, near the harbor.
Admittedly, the chickens were scarce on our trip, until the very end......
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| In Washington. |
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