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. 🙂
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 that’s 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 they’re 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 I’ve 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? I’m betting there’s a lot. In fact, I bet there’s 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 world’s 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 “I Dream of Chickens”. If you haven’t, you can check it out by clicking here. Spoiler alert: I spend a lot of time talking about how chickens are one of humankind’s common denominators. Guess what another one is? You guessed it! COFFEE.
That’s why I was so happy when a new chicken friend invited me to visit her family’s 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 Chickenlandia’s new series: Chickenlandia Stories. Just click below to check it out!
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 Bellingham’sHohl 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. I’m 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. Here’s 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 Hohl’s 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, I’ll be telling the story about how Kelcie saved a little chick with splayed leg soon.
Hohl’s 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 didn’t believe in whole-heartedly. I’m so proud of Bellingham’s local farm store! What about you? Do you have a local store you love? Give them a shout out in the comments.
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 glitches…
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.
