I've been in the nesting mode for a bit lately. This started when i was recently in Florida staying with my aunt. We went thru everything on her ground level of her house, cleaning, throwing out and organizing. It's amazing what a person can accumulate over the years. this prompted me to clean out my own basement and now I've moved to cleaning out my blog and reorganizing. If you have been here before, you will notice some differences. I have added pages to this site and the navigation is along the top of this page. A classes page is now a necessity, as I have several on board for this spring and summer at City Folks Farm Shop.
If you have a topic you are interested in seeing, drop me a line and I would be happy to write an article or post a hot tip!
denise.l.beno@gmail.com
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Friday, February 20, 2015
March Classes
Chicken Boot Camp
2015 Home and Garden Show
Last night I braved the fierce cold (4F with wind) to prresent a talk on urban poultry at the Columbus Home and Garden show. We had several interested folks attend the show. If you missed my talk, "The Cluck Factor: Adding Poultry to your Urban Landscape", I've posted a link here. There is no text or dialog with the presentation, but the pretty pics may be inspiring.
The Cluck Factor: Adding Poultry to Your Urban Landscape
If you want more, check out my upcoming class, "Urban Chicken Boot Camp", at City Folks Farm Shop.
Urban Chicken Boot Camp
Hang on, Spring is coming!
Friday, January 9, 2015
Welcome 2015 and the Spring Chick Catalogs
Congratulations! We have made it another lap around the sun! Bright blessings to all for a prosprous and predator free new year! I'm thrilled that this new year has been so sunny, despite this cold artic blast.
This is the time of year that I look forward to the chick hatchery catalogs. Like a gardener drools over the Spring seed catalogs, many a chicken farmer delight in their Spring chick catalogs. Planning a flock is so much fun! If you are planning a flock for this coming year, or just want to drool over your own chick catalogs, follow the links below to request a catalog from well-known hatcheries.
Meyer Hatchery Catalog
Murry McMurry Hatchery Catalog
Hoover's Hatchery Catalog
Welp Hatchery Catalog
Townline Hatchery
Cackle Hatchery Catalog Request Form
This is the time of year that I look forward to the chick hatchery catalogs. Like a gardener drools over the Spring seed catalogs, many a chicken farmer delight in their Spring chick catalogs. Planning a flock is so much fun! If you are planning a flock for this coming year, or just want to drool over your own chick catalogs, follow the links below to request a catalog from well-known hatcheries.
Meyer Hatchery Catalog
Murry McMurry Hatchery Catalog
Hoover's Hatchery Catalog
Welp Hatchery Catalog
Townline Hatchery
Cackle Hatchery Catalog Request Form
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| Seabright Bantam hen |
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Think twice before feeding free choice...
In January, I presented a class on chicken feed at City Folks Farm Shop here in Columbus. I came to the topic of whether or not to feed free choice. By the sound of the murmurs in class, I gathered that most attendees fed their chickens free choice. This somewhat surprised me. Chicken feed is one of the highest expenses of keeping poultry. My strong recommendation is NO, do not offer feed free choice. Here are my reasons why:
1. A free-ranging hen only requires about 1/3 lb of chicken feed a day. If fed twice daily, your hens should be finishing their breakfast and dinner in about 15-20 mins. If there is feed left after that time, you have feed them too much.
2. Any feed remaining in the feeder is a HUGE attraction for rodents, wild birds, insects and other unwanted pests. My area of Columbus is already suffering from a rat infestation. I certainly don't want to add to the problem.
3. If your feeder is located outside, use caution to avoid the rain and damp. Once feed is wet, it can easily grow molds which put your poultry at risk for sickness or disease.
4. Wasted feed. We've all experienced this. Feed is kicked out of the feeders by scratching, bumping into the feeder, etc. The hens will pick out the yummy whole or partially cracked grains and leave the powdery protein and vitamins. Rationing encourages your girls to clean up the small feed particles in the bottom of the feeders.
5. Rationing encourages your hens to forage in the yard. 'Nuff said.
6. Don't offer too many "treats" to your hens. You want your chickens to eat their feed, which has been formulated to be a well balanced diet.
7. Reduce your feed bill. Maximize your feed dollar and your hen's feed conversation ratio.
So, ration your girls feed. :-) Feed your hens twice a day, at roughly the same time each morning and evening. If you have 6 hens, you should be feeding about two lbs of feed a day--one pound in the morning and one in the evening. You can feed treast in the middle of the day, especially if they are not able to range in the yard. Remember, a fat hen still only lays one egg a day.
1. A free-ranging hen only requires about 1/3 lb of chicken feed a day. If fed twice daily, your hens should be finishing their breakfast and dinner in about 15-20 mins. If there is feed left after that time, you have feed them too much.
2. Any feed remaining in the feeder is a HUGE attraction for rodents, wild birds, insects and other unwanted pests. My area of Columbus is already suffering from a rat infestation. I certainly don't want to add to the problem.
3. If your feeder is located outside, use caution to avoid the rain and damp. Once feed is wet, it can easily grow molds which put your poultry at risk for sickness or disease.
4. Wasted feed. We've all experienced this. Feed is kicked out of the feeders by scratching, bumping into the feeder, etc. The hens will pick out the yummy whole or partially cracked grains and leave the powdery protein and vitamins. Rationing encourages your girls to clean up the small feed particles in the bottom of the feeders.
5. Rationing encourages your hens to forage in the yard. 'Nuff said.
6. Don't offer too many "treats" to your hens. You want your chickens to eat their feed, which has been formulated to be a well balanced diet.
7. Reduce your feed bill. Maximize your feed dollar and your hen's feed conversation ratio.
So, ration your girls feed. :-) Feed your hens twice a day, at roughly the same time each morning and evening. If you have 6 hens, you should be feeding about two lbs of feed a day--one pound in the morning and one in the evening. You can feed treast in the middle of the day, especially if they are not able to range in the yard. Remember, a fat hen still only lays one egg a day.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Upcoming Poultry Classes
I am excited about the great line-up of classes I'm presenting beginning this January. I'm featuring classes for the new chicken keeper, along with topics for those of us who are currently keeping chickens and want to learn more. To register for any class featured below, contact Shawn at City Folks Farm Shop.
Classroom at the Urban Coop
Wednesdays, Jan 15 to March 5, 2014 6:30 to 8pm Cost: $99
This is an 8-week class series on keeping chickens in an urban setting. We will cover everything from permitting and city code, raising chicks to egg production and health and safety. Certificate presented.
Working for Chicken Feed
Thursday, Jan 23, 2014 6:30pm Cost: $25
In this one night class, we will cover everything you need to know about maintaining a healthy diet for your backyard flock. This workshop coincides with the introduction of a bulk grains section at City Folks Farm Shop. We will be blending up some tasty chicken feed that you could serve for breakfast at your own table! Bring a spoon for this hands-on course.
Chicken Boot Camp
Wednesdays, March 19-April 2, 2014 Cost: $45
Ready, set, go! This jam packed 3-week intensive on keeping chickens may leave your head spinning! We will cover all the basics of urban poultry care. Homework is required!
Poultry 2.0+
Tuesdays, March 18-April 8, 2014 Cost: $65
Join local "friends of a feather" as we explore more advanced topics such as: successfully increasing your flock, diagnosing illness and other chicken maladies, developing your own feed recipes, other poultry such as geese, turkeys, quail, ducks, etc.
To register, contact Shawn at City Folks Farm Shop 614.946.5553
shawn@cityfolksfarmshop.com
Classroom at the Urban Coop
Wednesdays, Jan 15 to March 5, 2014 6:30 to 8pm Cost: $99
This is an 8-week class series on keeping chickens in an urban setting. We will cover everything from permitting and city code, raising chicks to egg production and health and safety. Certificate presented.
Working for Chicken Feed
Thursday, Jan 23, 2014 6:30pm Cost: $25
In this one night class, we will cover everything you need to know about maintaining a healthy diet for your backyard flock. This workshop coincides with the introduction of a bulk grains section at City Folks Farm Shop. We will be blending up some tasty chicken feed that you could serve for breakfast at your own table! Bring a spoon for this hands-on course.
Chicken Boot Camp
Wednesdays, March 19-April 2, 2014 Cost: $45
Ready, set, go! This jam packed 3-week intensive on keeping chickens may leave your head spinning! We will cover all the basics of urban poultry care. Homework is required!
Poultry 2.0+
Tuesdays, March 18-April 8, 2014 Cost: $65
Join local "friends of a feather" as we explore more advanced topics such as: successfully increasing your flock, diagnosing illness and other chicken maladies, developing your own feed recipes, other poultry such as geese, turkeys, quail, ducks, etc.
To register, contact Shawn at City Folks Farm Shop 614.946.5553
shawn@cityfolksfarmshop.com
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Snow Chickens
Now that we have had several snowfalls here in Central Ohio, you have probably experienced the amusement of watching your chickens deal with the snow. Each flock is different and individuals deal with it differently.
For the most part, my hens were snow woosies. They did not want to get their feet wet, or the snow was too cold, or whatever. I'm sure it was complaining that I heard in their voices. If there was snow outside of the pop hole door in the morning, the boss hens would gaze outside and contemplate their next move. Usually, the decision was to go out, but how to avoid the snow was the question. Many times there were bare spots near the coop, which would allow the girls access to the outside without having to walk on the snow. Usually, a couple hens would "accidentally" walk in the snow, and then they would realize that it really wasn't the big deal they initially made it out to be. At that point, it was OK to walk in the snow. Such drama queens!
I always loved the tenacity of my hens. Most wanted to be outside, not matter what. This group of hard core hens usually included several Barred Rocks. I did have a few though, who took one look outside and turned around. Some would attempt to fly onto a bare spot, giving it their best effort, but usually falling short. Some would opt to stay in, others would leap to perches or bare spots outside. If the boss hens took too long deciding on their course of action at the door, sometimes a more timid, but very determined bird would tuck and run towards outdoor freedom, getting pecked the whole way. This usually resulted in the timid runner shrieking as she exploded out the door, leap-flying her way toward a bare spot or safe place to perch. This was usually a Leghorn, but occassionally my Americana hens would do this too.
Even tho I had thousands of chickens, I babied them as much as I could. Most times, after a big snow, I would lay down some old hay or straw outside of their pop hole door and around in the paddock area. A few arm fulls, or a couple flakes of hay made a very nice mat for the hens to walk on outside. Some days, the wind was just too strong or too cold, and I did not open the doors for them that day. Those days they got other treats and goodies to keep them busy such as an old cabbage, pumpkins, sunflower heads, or expired produce I managed to procure from one of my egg accounts.
All in all, hens get through the snowy season just fine. Encourage your girls to get outside. They need the sun this time of year. Enjoy their snowy season antics!
For the most part, my hens were snow woosies. They did not want to get their feet wet, or the snow was too cold, or whatever. I'm sure it was complaining that I heard in their voices. If there was snow outside of the pop hole door in the morning, the boss hens would gaze outside and contemplate their next move. Usually, the decision was to go out, but how to avoid the snow was the question. Many times there were bare spots near the coop, which would allow the girls access to the outside without having to walk on the snow. Usually, a couple hens would "accidentally" walk in the snow, and then they would realize that it really wasn't the big deal they initially made it out to be. At that point, it was OK to walk in the snow. Such drama queens!
I always loved the tenacity of my hens. Most wanted to be outside, not matter what. This group of hard core hens usually included several Barred Rocks. I did have a few though, who took one look outside and turned around. Some would attempt to fly onto a bare spot, giving it their best effort, but usually falling short. Some would opt to stay in, others would leap to perches or bare spots outside. If the boss hens took too long deciding on their course of action at the door, sometimes a more timid, but very determined bird would tuck and run towards outdoor freedom, getting pecked the whole way. This usually resulted in the timid runner shrieking as she exploded out the door, leap-flying her way toward a bare spot or safe place to perch. This was usually a Leghorn, but occassionally my Americana hens would do this too.
Even tho I had thousands of chickens, I babied them as much as I could. Most times, after a big snow, I would lay down some old hay or straw outside of their pop hole door and around in the paddock area. A few arm fulls, or a couple flakes of hay made a very nice mat for the hens to walk on outside. Some days, the wind was just too strong or too cold, and I did not open the doors for them that day. Those days they got other treats and goodies to keep them busy such as an old cabbage, pumpkins, sunflower heads, or expired produce I managed to procure from one of my egg accounts.
All in all, hens get through the snowy season just fine. Encourage your girls to get outside. They need the sun this time of year. Enjoy their snowy season antics!
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