welcome to Chickenlandia Archives - Page 3 of 4

Peace Through Chickens

Posted on December 19, 2018

It’s almost Christmas, and children everywhere are dreaming about that special morning. I’m sure many of you adults also have a Christmas or holiday wish. I hope it comes true for you. As for me, I have one very important dream for this Christmas. My dream is that I can communicate my most sincere Chickenlandia message. It’s a message of peace. Peace through chickens, or whatever else brings it to you.

I know what many think. They think it’s silly for me to believe humans could achieve peace through chickens. It does seem overly simplified, but when I fell in love with my first flock, I actually had no idea how much sitting among them would bring peace and meaning into my life. That’s when my Chickenlandia message was born, because I realized that people all over the world were sitting among their flocks and feeling the same way I was. What a wonderful common denominator!

Thoughout history, humans and chickens have created a deep and meaningful relationship. It’s one that has lasted throughout the ages despite our conflicts with each other. We’ve written stories, sang songs, and sometimes even found religious meaning in our feathered friends. There’s no end to the symbolism of the chicken, and it’s a symbol almost all of us recognize. Can you think of a culture that doesn’t enjoy chickens in some way?

So, yes, I know it’s a simple-minded idea to think that chickens could somehow save the world. But maybe we need to start with something simple and go from there. Maybe we could all think about something small we have in common with our neighbor. Maybe if everyone did that, we could finally find the peace we’re looking for. And yes, we’re all looking for it. Every. Single. One of us.

Please take a moment to watch my Chickenlandia Christmas Special. Just click the play button below! I hope you love it. And I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Do you have a Christmas or other holiday wish? Let me know in the comments!

One Big Happy Flock!

Posted on December 12, 2018December 12, 2018

In Chickenlandia, there have always been chickens of many different varieties. I’ve had floofy ones, smooth ones, big ones, tiny ones, frizzled ones, silkie ones, fancy ones, scruffy ones, and everything in-between. I like to think of Chickenlandia as a reflection of what I someday hope the world can be, a place where everyone exists together in one big happy flock.

Alas, the world isn’t always what we want it to be. It seems now more than ever, conflict is at an all time high. Some of us seem to revel in the antagonism of our species, others fight against it, some totally ignore it, and some hide away. As I watch the behavior of my flock, I can’t help but see a bit of a reflection there. Especially when I’m integrating new chickens, like my three recent rescues, Double Chicken, Kiki, and Beast.

My three rescue seramas from the Whatcom Humane Society.

It took longer than I expected to integrate these three. Two of them are on the young side, and they are all smaller than my previously smallest chicken, Little Stinker. I honestly didn’t realize how small they were until I observed them next to my other bantams. And of course, they are REALLY small compared to my standard hens.

Their integration was slow and required a lot of patience, but it wasn’t impossible. For about two weeks, they were able to see the flock and the flock was able to see them, but they could not get to each other. This prevented the most difficult of chicken nature from happening, which would include them hurting each other. After I put them all together, I still had to keep a very close eye on how they were doing as to prevent tragedy. Slowly but surely, my hard work paid off!

So, what did I learn about humanity from integrating chickens? I learned that if I want the world to get along, I have to do my part to encourage love. I learned that even though something might be part of our nature, we can still work to improve it. And I learned that as a human, it’s my job to look after the smallest and most vulnerable among us. I hope I continue to realize all the amazing things this flock has to show me. And I hope you do, too!

Have you always wanted to learn how to integrate bantams into a mixed flock? Maybe you’ve been afraid that they would get hurt but want to try? Every flock is different, but in my new YouTube video I explain how I make it possible for my flock to live together in peace and harmony. It goes right along with the spirit of Christmas, doesn’t it? Just click the play button below and enjoy. <3

What does your flock look like? Do you have different sized chickens living together? Let me know in the comments!

The Chicken Keeper

Posted on December 5, 2018December 5, 2018

As you should know by now, I love making new friends. Since I began my Chickenlandia journey, I’ve met so many amazing people through a mutual love of chickens. This is why I always say, “Peace Through Chickens”, because I believe that if we focus on the things we have in common, we can see the humanity in each other and live peacefully. I think my new friend, The Chicken Keeper, would agree.

Meet the delightful Maryanne Mills. Recently, the kiddos and I got to take a tour of her farm. We met cows, goats, pigs, and of course, chickens! She showed us all the food her farm produces and I even got to take home some goodies for myself! It was such an amazing an enlightening experience, especially for my kiddos, who have grown up in a mostly urban environment. Maryanne spoke to them about how a farm works, what the role of each animal is, and how it all ties to together to create a sustainable system.

Billy and his new little friend, Titan the Calf.

What struck me the most about Maryanne was her warmth and kindness. It’s clear she loves each and every animal on the farm, and treats them with the upmost respect. This was evident when she introduced us to her chickens, a menagerie of retirees and rescues, each of which has a story. The most interesting part was that some chickens who live with Maryanne actually belong to someone else. She has made it possible for some who cannot own chickens to pick one out and keep them at her farm. That’s why I call her “The Chicken Keeper”. She makes chicken entertainment possible for others!

You know how sometimes when you meet someone, you just like them right away? That’s how I felt when I met Maryanne, and I know my kids felt the same. Taking a tour of her farm and being invited into her home was an experience that I’m so glad I had, and I’m sure we will be back soon. You can watch the whole tour on my new episode of Chickenlandia Stories by pressing the play button below! Don’t forget to visit my YouTube Channel and hit the subscribe and notification buttons so that you don’t miss any fun Chickenlandia videos.

How about you? Have you met any interesting people through a mutual love of chickens? Let me know in the comments!

The Queen Mother of Chickenlandia

Posted on November 28, 2018

I’m so blessed to have a great relationship with my mom. She’s a very active seventy-six-year-old who travels way more than I have the energy for and still makes time to visit us about twice a year. When she comes, it’s all about making homemade tortillas, cooking amazing soups, and in general being an awesome grandma to my kiddos. That’s why she’s earned title of The Queen Mother of Chickenlandia.

When I first came up with the idea to get chickens, my mom was skeptical. The Little King of Chickenlandia was a baby, and I already had my hands full with lots of responsibility. But I was determined to have a hobby that would be only for me, so my mom eventually took on the role of chicken grandma. It’s actually come pretty natural for her, because although chicken tending skipped a generation, my grandmother raised poultry in her native country of Guatemala.

The Little King of Chickenlandia with my Mamita Elsa (my late grandmother)

Turns out the pet-chicken-bug is contagious. A few years ago, my sister, The Pippa of Chickenlandia, adopted a flock of her own. She rivals me in her chicken enthusiasm and has become quite the chicken mama. Now if I can only get my oldest sister and my brother to join the fun (they’ve ensured me this dream will never come true lol).

The Pippa of Chickenlandia’s flock enjoying some Black Friday shopping!

When I was in the hospital giving birth to my youngest, my mom cared for my chickens like they were her own. And since she lives in Texas near my sister, she cares for her flock whenever her family goes on vacation. She’s such a good chicken grandma! Which is honestly not that surprising, because she is a really good mom, too.

The Queen Mother of Chickenlandia with a chicken puppet!

This past week, I got to sit down with my mom and show her how to sprout some grains. If you remember the video we did about fermenting chicken feed, you’ll know that we had a lot of fun. Not only did she learn how to sprout grains, I also presented her with a gift from Chickenlandia! It was just a token of my appreciation for being such a good chicken grandma. To see the gift and to learn how easy it is to sprout grains in a jar, check out my new video on YouTube. Just click the play button below! Remember to like, subscribe, and click the notifications bell so you never miss out on fun Chickenlandia videos.

Do you have a good chicken grandma in your life? Let me know in the comments!

Thank You, Chickens, for Rescuing Me

Posted on November 21, 2018

I write a lot about the chickens I rescue, but not as much about how they rescue me. Many of you probably already know what I mean, but if you don’t, I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you why I tell my flock each day, “Thank you, chickens, for rescuing me.” After all, tomorrow is Thanksgiving.

This isn’t me, it’s a wonderful gif I found!

Someday, I’d love to tell you the story of my life. But for today, let’s just say that I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs. I’m sure you have as well, because is there anyone who’s had a perfect life? I don’t think so. Watching my chickens each day, with their imperfections as so-called “non-show-quality” birds, I see their beauty despite what others may see as flaws. That’s also how I try to look at my life. There have been really tough times, but overall, I’ve been lucky enough that the joys outweigh the sorrow. I’m so thankful for this.

The Little Prince and The Little King of Chickenlandia. <3

This past year, I’ve had some health problems that have been tough to figure out. Nothing alarmingly serious, just inconvenient and puzzling. I’ve discussed it a little on my blog and I know many of you can relate. A big part of my relationship with chickens has to do with the way they motivate me each day. It doesn’t matter how I feel, the chickens need tending to. It’s snowing? They still need food and water. I’m too tired to get up? Too bad, they need to be let out of their coop. I must go outside and be in nature and listen to their calming noises. It’s good for me, and I’m so very grateful to them.

So, along with my wonderful family and friends, I’m so thankful for this flock of mostly rescue chickens that continue to rescue me. It’s true, they’re not perfect. But neither am I, and in their imperfections I find my own peace with the ups and downs of my life. Thank you, chickens. And thank you to all of you who are with me on this journey. I love being in your flock!

To see Chickenlandia’s Thanksgiving Special: The Tiny Chicken Rescue, click the play button below! I think you’ll enjoy it.

What are you thankful for? Let me know in the comments!

Click here for my rescue dog page!

A Box of Fun Amidst the Storm

Posted on November 14, 2018November 14, 2018

A box of fun amidst the storm… I’ll start with the storm. Let’s just say I didn’t have the best week. As some of you may know, I have several aging hens. It’s never easy to see an older hen start to go downhill, even when you know they’ve had a good life. My sweet Lavender Maran, Jessica Lange, started to move a little slower a few months ago. I could tell she was having issues, but she was still pecking, scratching, and eating. To my surprise, she went through a pretty tough molt and then appeared to bounce back strong. That is until last week, when I found her listless. I knew the time was coming.

Beautiful Jessica Lange the Chicken in her prime.

I did all the good-chicken-mom things. I brought her inside, gave her some anti-inflammatory meds, massaged her crop, gave her vitamins, herbs, and homeopathics. Her last meal was tuna and mayo, which she loved SO MUCH. But by the next day she wouldn’t eat and her toes began to curl. She soon passed over the rainbow bridge.

More storm: later that same day, I heard a scream coming from the chicken yard. This was no ordinary egg song, it was THE terror alert. I opened the kitchen window to see nothing other than a HAWK attacking my sweet chicken, Little Stinker! I ran outside and shoo-ed the hawk away, but not before it sent Little Stinker into shock. If you know anything about birds, you know that shock is a terrible state for them to be in. My heart sunk. Here she is in better times.

Little Stinker in her favorite place, the food can!

I brought Little Stinker in, but she wouldn’t eat or drink. Since I often use a homeopathic physician, I consulted her regarding what remedies to use. It took about twenty-four hours, but Little Stinker miraculously came around! As of this moment, she’s in my warm bathroom and has been eating and drinking. Could the storm be clearing a tad? I hope so. I’m really pulling for Little Stinker and I know many of you are as well! To watch Little Stinker’s story on YouTube, click this link.

Little Stinker shortly before she started eating and drinking again.

It’s the little moments of joy and hope that get us through the moments of stress. No matter how big or small your problems are, it’s super important to take a break, if you can, from the worry of things. That’s why I was so delighted to receive my Henny and Roo monthly subscription box (see below for coupon info) this week! I hope watching me and the kiddos open the box and reveal all the fun things inside can bring some joy into your life. And, as always, I hope that whatever you’re dealing with, you can find peace among your flock.

To watch the Henny and Roo Unboxing Video, click the play button below! For 10% off your Henny and Roo Subscription, use the coupon code CHICKENLANDIA at check out. 🙂

I’d love to hear how your week went. Let me know in the comments!

Welcome Duckles the Duck!

Posted on November 7, 2018

Welp, the kids’ birthdays are over (they’re both in October) and Halloween is finally done. Even though I’m so happy things have slowed down, I confess to being a little bored this week. Boredom is a dangerous state for those who suffer from chronic #BirdMathFlu such as I. A couple days ago, my sister (The Pippa of Chickenlandia) and I got to talking about ducks and guess what I went out and did? Yup, I got another duck. Please welcome Duckles the Duck to Chickenlandia!

The day Duckles came home to Chickenlandia.

I actually did put some serious thought into whether I should add a new duck to Chickenlandia. This past Spring was the worst for us in terms of duck luck. I had two ducklings die in transit to me, one die in the brooder, and two juveniles die suddenly of an unknown illness. It was just awful. You can see them toward the end of this video. They were both healthy and happy, then tragically passed away just a few days later.

Sweet Rosalina at the vet on the day she died.

So, you can imagine I had some moments where I thought no more ducks, ever. But here we are a few months later and I’m ready to try again! I feel confident that Duckles will do well here. Take a look at what she accomplished her first morning in Chickenlandia:

Since we have some chicken egg intolerances in our home, Duckles is going to serve a great purpose as well as being a wonderful pet. In case you didn’t know, duck eggs makes the absolute best pancakes, waffles, muffins, and other baked delights. They’re also delicious how I like them, in an omelette covered with sheep feta. I just love eating them and so does my family.

So, of course, I vlogged all about my trip to go get Duckles and her arrival in Chickenlandia. You can see where she lived before, and how I’m integrating her into my flock. I may have also taken some creative license to make it more fun LOL. To watch the video, click the play button below!

Have you had any new arrivals in your flock lately? Let me know in the comments!

Green Envy for a Red Barn!

Posted on October 31, 2018

You know the feeling. Your new chicken-friend invites you over for the afternoon, and of course you’re excited because who doesn’t love hanging with chicken peeps? But then you get to their house and see their immaculate, gorgeous coop that you can’t believe is even real. Where is the poop? Where are the unfinished projects? Where’s the clutter? Don’t worry, that feeling you’re having is just the #CoopEnvy bubbling up inside and it’s totally normal. I had it a few weeks ago. I was green with envy for a beautiful red barn coop!

Just a sneak peek at the outside of Selena’s gorgeous barn coop.

It wasn’t the first time I’d seen my friend Selena’s amazing coop. I visited several months ago, when I first started making YouTube videos. Let’s just say the footage didn’t turn out exactly how I planned. I’m not an actual camera person so it’s been a bit of a learning curve for me. Plus, her chickens kinda scared me LOL (not really but look at this picture! haha)

I hope this chicken doesn’t know where I sleep…

Anyway, this time around, I loaded up The Little King and The Little Prince of Chickenlandia and we headed out to the country to visit my friend. She and her husband have recently painted their barn red and it is GORGEOUS. Inside the barn, Selena has a completely predator proof coop and run. Literally the whole thing is reinforced with hardwire mesh. She has a number of critters that come around her area, even BEARS, but they are no match for this coop. Plus it’s super cute.

Cute chicken coop sign in Selena’s completely predator proof run.

I’m not showing much in the photos because I want you to watch my NEW Chickenlandia YouTube series called Coop Envy! I’m hoping to visit lots of amazing coops and I want to share them with my viewers. Of course I’ll have to keep my #coopenvy in check, but I can’t make any promises. I know it’s wrong but I can’t help it when the envy boils inside! LOL

Just click the play button below to see Selena’s amazing coop. And remember to subscribe and click the notification bell so you never miss any fun Chickenlandia videos.

Do you ever get coop envy? Or maybe you have a coop that everyone is envious of? Let me know in the comments!

A Very Chickenlandia Halloween

Posted on October 24, 2018October 24, 2018

It’s no secret to my friends and family that while I love the changing seasons, I definitely prefer when they are changing into Spring or Summer. It’s true, despite having a Canadian husband I’m no fan of colder temperatures. The way I get through these months is by jumping head-first into the holidays. I absolutely love them, and Halloween is no exception. This year, I’ve decided to share my love for all things spooky by having A Very Chickenlandia Halloween.

We usually go all-out for Halloween, with a haunted house on our covered porch every year. Since I have young kids I like to keep it on the less terrifying side, but we do have a flying ghost and a large jumping spider! Costumes vary and we’ve certainly enjoyed our share of different chicken costumes, but this is one of my favorite pics ever:

The Little Prince of Chickenalndia on his second Halloween

What could make one of my favorite holidays even better? My chickens, of course! Last year, you might remember my very silly trailer for the obscure cult film Chick-o-ween 2: Second Hatch. This year, I’ve taken it up several notches and created a short film for all my fans to enjoy. (FYI – I’m pretty confident this won’t scare little kids, but you never know! It does have spooky music and I look kinda scary in it LOL, so maybe give it a watch first if you have really young ones.)

I hope you love this Chickenlandia Halloween Special! It’s the sixth episode in my series Chickenlandia Stories, and it’s called The Creature! You may recognize the narrator as my grumpy but lovable rooster, Philippe:

Do you enjoy Halloween? If so, what’s your favorite thing about it? Let me know in the comments. And make sure to have A Very Chickenlandia Halloween!

I Henny and Roo and You Can Too!

Posted on October 17, 2018October 24, 2018

Are you on Instagram? I recently joined, and to be honest, it’s kinda dangerous! Only because I’ve been introduced to some of the cutest chicken things through that platform. One of the companies I’ve been following for a while is Henny and Roo. I’ve been drooling over their subscription boxes but haven’t ventured to take the plunge until now. It’s true, I Henny and Roo and you can too!

Full disclosure, I contacted Henny and Roo after my YouTube channel had been up and running for a while, hoping they would bless me with sponsorship. I had already heard really good things about them from my other fave company Scratch and Peck Feeds, so it seemed like a good fit. I cannot tell you how excited I was when they responded with a special deal for my Chickenlandia fans! Keep reading and I’ll reveal the special code for 10% off the October 2018 subscription box (while supplies last) or a new subscription.

Me and the kids freaking out while opening our October Box!

I don’t want to give too much away regarding what’s in the box, because of course I made a YouTube video about it and I think you will enjoy it! But I will show you this example of chicken cuteness. Don’t you just love it? I found everything else in the box to be very useful for chicken keeping (and there’s some candy for humans in it, too!).

Henny and Roo pin that is 100% chicken cuteness.

As Welcome to Chickenlandia continues to grow, I’m honored to be building relationships with companies I admire. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch my new YouTube video, Henny and Roo Unboxing! Just click the play button below and make sure you subscribe to my channel so you don’t miss anything fun:

To receive 10% off your order of the October 2018 subscription box (while supplies last) or your new subscription, use the code CHICKENLANDIA at www.hennyandroo.com! Offer does not apply to other shop items but subscribers always save 10% off in the Henny and Roo Shop. Be sure to let me know how much you love your subscription in the comments!