After a very stressful week (see my Facebook and Instagram for details), I wanted to post something fun on Chickenlandia’s new YouTube Channel. Have you always been curious about the Chickenlandia morning routine but were too afraid to ask? In my newest YouTube video, I give a sneak peek into the dark and mysterious world of Chickenlandia.
Okay, so it’s not mysterious at all LOL! But it’s fun and I put some cute music with it. Have a watch! I think you’ll love it. đ
What’s your morning chicken and/or other animal routine like? Let me know in the comments!
I love fermenting feed for my chickens. I love it so much, I can’t imagine how it could be more fun. That is, until my mom joined me!
I decided to make a demo video about fermenting feed with my mom. After we sat down and went through the demo, we got to talking about something people ask me about a lot. Just how did Chickenlandia get it’s name?
Most people assume I named it after a certain television show, but thatâs actually not the case. The first glimpse of Chickenlandia was actually born many years ago, when my parents immigrated from Guatemala to a small Texas suburb. We lived in a great community, but as a child, I often felt alienated from my peers, and even my own family. Can you relate? I’m sure you can, because feeling lonely or different is another common denominator among human kind. For more on this, you can check out my latest YouTube video:
If only there were a place where everyone fit in, regardless of where theyâre from, what they look like, or what language they speak! Fast-forward a few decades, as I sat among my first flock of chickens and felt such peace among them. The soft clucks and the pecking and scratching gave me such a tranquil feeling, and almost every chicken-person Iâve met has told me they felt the same way among their flock. I realized that chicken keepers all over the world, from all walks of life had this commonality. I thought to myself, THIS is where I belong. This is where everyone belongs. Thus, Chickenlandia was born.
If you only know one thing about Chickenlandia, I want it to be that you are welcome here.
About two years ago, The Chickenlandia Family decided to go on a vacation for a few weeks. While we were gone, a good friend took loving care of my flock. It was wintertime and a little snowy, but Chickenlandia was an awesome place for a chickens just the same. At least, that’s how most of them felt.
When we returned from vacation, I realized one of my tiniest chickens was missing! She was new and didn’t even have a name yet. I searched and searched for her, but after a month of being gone, I figured she had succumbed to the elements or a predator. It was kind of a sad time in Chickenlandia.
But of course, the story doesn’t end there. Little Stinker is alive and well and loves living in Chickenlandia. Wanna know the whole story? Check out the second episode of my new Chickenlandia Series, Chickenlandia Stories. I think you’re going to love The Story of Little Stinker.
How many of you go to your chicken yard in the morning with coffee in hand? Iâm betting thereâs a lot. In fact, I bet thereâs millions of people all over the world opening their chicken coops in the wee hours of the morning, listening to the soft clucking, all while sipping one of the worldâs favorite morning drinks. Chickens and coffee. The world agrees it is So. Much. Yes.
I know some of you have seen my TEDX talk at Western Washington University called âI Dream of Chickensâ. If you havenât, you can check it out by clicking here. Spoiler alert: I spend a lot of time talking about how chickens are one of humankindâs common denominators. Guess what another one is? You guessed it! COFFEE.
Thatâs why I was so happy when a new chicken friend invited me to visit her familyâs coffee roasting business, Barnyard Coffee. With just a little drive up to Blaine, WA, I got to meet some new members in a local chicken group called Whatcom Chicken Wonks, tour the coop and roasting room, plus give a presentation about fermenting feed. It was a blast! Not only did I leave with some delicious coffee, but I also made some new friends (human, cat, and chicken!).
I hope you like my first installment of Chickenlandiaâs new series: Chickenlandia Stories. Just click below to check it out!
I arrived home from an event last week to find a mysterious package on Chickenlandia’s doorstep. Okay, so it wasn’t THAT mysterious; I knew the folks at Scratch and Peck Feeds had sent me something, but when I saw the shipping notification and inquired about it, no one would tell me what it was! I was only told it was a “surprise”. Of course the kids and I had to open it right away. Check out the “unboxing” video on our new YouTube Channel, or click the play button below (we also introduce a chicken adorably named by my four-year-old):
So, what exactly is this new product from Scratch and Peck? Well, it’s called Coop Confetti which is totally the best name ever and I LOVE it. Seriously, I’m not just saying that because I’m an ambassador for them. I genuinely love their products and this one is no exception. Scratch and Peck teamed up with Lisa Steele from Fresh Eggs Daily to create it, so I’m not surprised how fab it is. It’s a mix of lavender, peppermint, rose and other calming aromatic herbs. I’m just gonna go out on a limb and say that all those things smell a lot better than my coop on most days LOL.
The instructions say to sprinkle it in the nesting boxes and on the coop floor as needed. So far, I’ve been using a little every day and it really helps to keep the coop smelling clean and fresh. I have to say I think my chooks love it too. đ
So there you have it, Chickenlandia’s mysterious package revealed! Look for it at your local farm store or go to scratchandpeck.com to grab some for yourself.
What about you? Do you have a favorite way to freshen up your coop? Let me know in the comments!
Thought you would enjoy a quick update on Chickenlandia’s adorable new addition, “Dice” (this is what happens when you let a four-year-old name something LOL). Enjoy this cute video on Chickenlandia’s YouTube Channel!
Do you have any new additions in your home? Share in the comments!
Is there anything more fun than a trip to the local farm store? The Little Prince of Chickenlandia, our friend Audrey, and yours truly recently visited Downtown BellinghamâsHohl Seed and Feed and got a special surprise for Chickenlandia! You can watch the whole story here (it’s super cute so I highly recommend you watch!):
Some of you may remember way back when The First Man and I were part owners of a farm store in Lynden, WA. It was both a fun time and a challenging time, but I will be forever grateful for the experience. Especially since Chickenlandia was born there!
One of the things that was really hard for me in the farm store business was the selling of small animals. Iâm very conflicted about it, even when it comes to baby chicks (more on this later). I have to be honest and say that after we left the business I vowed never to do that again. It was too hard, and I really feel like the animals got the short end of the stick. This is one reason why I believe in rescue. Hereâs a not-so-great pic of our four rescue dogs!
My friend Kelcie was an employee at our store and is now the manager of Hohl Feed and Seed (you can see her in my latest vlog). She and I are very like minded in our care for animals, which is one of the reasons I love Hohlâs so much. I know the animals there are cared for extremely well, and that they do their best to educate people on proper care. I also know that if there is a sick or injured animal, it WILL be cared for by expert hands. In fact, Iâll be telling the story about how Kelcie saved a little chick with splayed leg soon.
Hohlâs did sponsor this video and blog post, but I can tell you from the bottom of my heart that I would not promote a business I didnât believe in whole-heartedly. Iâm so proud of Bellinghamâs local farm store! What about you? Do you have a local store you love? Give them a shout out in the comments.
Can Philippe really fill Boy George the Roosterâs fab shoes?
I was so worried when I introduced Philippe to my existing rooster Boy George. You just never know how roosters are gonna get along, if at all. To my surprise, Boy George was friendly to Philippe. In fact, my keen chicken intuition indicated that Boy George was looking to make Philippe the son he never had, and pass down his great Chickenlandia legacy to him. But there was something he needed to observe before he made that final decision. He needed to hear the strength of Philippeâs first crow.
Is Philippe worthy of filling Boy Georgeâs shoes? Boy George has always had the most magnificent crow. Our lucky friends and neighbors can hear him far and wide, singing, âKarmaKarmaKarmaCockadoodleDoo!â or something like that.
Well, it just so happens I was able to catch Philippeâs first crow on video (okay, so it wasnât his ACTUAL first crow but pretty close!). You can check it out on Welcome to Chickenlandiaâs new YouTube Channel! Don’t forget to like the video and subscribe to my channel so you can see all the Chickenlandia fun. <3
(Turn up the sound!)
So, what do you think? Does Philippeâs first crow pass the test?
Some of you that follow me on Facebook and Instagram might remember a sweet little chick I brought home from one of my Scratch and Peck Feeds ambassador events. The event was held on a Saturday, at a farm store that had just received a new batch of baby chicks.
But one wasn’t doing well. She was listless and peeping. The employees told me they wouldnât be able to help her the next day, as the store would be closed. Of course I had to take her home! To see a video of me syringe feeding her, click here.
Lucky actually bounced back well once I got her home and started some emergency TLC. With regular feedings of egg yolk and vitamins, she appeared to be making a breakthrough, so I decided to get her a couple of friends. Thatâs when Poptart and Philippe entered our lives! #ChickenMath, amIright???
Over the next couple of weeks, Poptart and Philippe thrived, but I noticed something wasnât quite right with little Lucky. She didnât grow normally and I knew there was something wrong. I tried so hard to save her but she flew over the rainbow bridge. She died very loved by the Chickenlandia family!
Lucky has gone, but Poptart and Philippe are still here warming our hearts. Even though I already have a rooster, Iâm hoping to keep Philippe. If it turns out I canât, I’ll send him to live with my very good friends over at Barclay Farm Retirement Sanctuary. (If you would like to make a donation to the Barclay Farm, click here!)
So, itâs been a Spring of many ups and a few downs. But I have some very exciting news! My new Youtube Channel has officially launched! Check out this fun vlog about Poptart and Philippe by clicking below. Make sure to like my video and subscribe to my channel for more chicken fun. <3
The First Man has a very hectic schedule. A few days ago, he came home for just an hour after working on this super cool train project, and then left for another several days on another trip. Such is the life of The First Man. That, and dealing with my metamorphosis into The President of Chickenlandia.
The First Man has many amazing qualities, but one of the best is his willingness to support my chicken love. His hard work is one of the main reasons Chickenlandia exists at all. And he always indulges my #ChickenMath tendencies. Which I guess is why he surprised me during his short time home with something amazing! But what is it? Even Missy, The Baby Demogorgon of Chickenlandia, was eager to find out (bottom left).
My kids and I were anxious to open it up and see!
Okay so there were a few glitchesâŠ
But with a little perseverance, we finally got it open!
I could already tell that Teddy, The Chupacabra of Chickenlandia, was waiting for an opportunity to pee on it. So I moved it into the hallway.
