Tour Our Urban Chicken "Farm" & Discussion

We're opening our home for a tour so those interested can see our set-up and we can all talk about our beloved flocks.

*** Please read and follow the instructions about safety and biosecurity below before you come. Thanks! ***

About Our Chicken Set-up:
We have a coop made of recycled pallets, which we've remodeled many times to house our growing chicken population (we started with 4, two years ago, and we currently a lot more...you know, chicken math). We also built an insulated coop, that we dub "The Cock Pit," especially for our 2 resident roosters. The rooster pad serves to dampen crowing until we release them between 8am - 9am. Our chickens free-range all day from about 6am until dusk. We use the deep litter method in our coop.

Other Things In Our Backyard:
We have a large yard, one-third is relatively flat, and the rest is a steep slope. We maintain 2 compost piles, one for the chickens to work and dig, and one for things we don't want the chickens eat or touch. We garden organically and enjoy growing our own fruit and veggies (which is a major challenge with free-ranging chickens). Last summer, we installed a laundry-to-lawn graywater pond.

Agenda:
For approximately the first half of the meet-up, we will give a guided tour of our yard and set-up, and talk about...

• our coop set-up (how we built/what we've done, bedding)

• the rooster bachelor pad (construction, noise level, sound demo (if roos cooperate))

• feeding regimen (how, what, treats, etc.)

• things that keep us and our chickens happy

• things we've learned, mistakes we've made

• any other questions attendees have or want us to discuss about our set-up and our flock

The rest of the time, we can discuss other topics of mutual interest, or find someone to present on a topic. Please make your suggestions in the comments, or message me.

Location:
We will provide the address as the event gets closer. We are in La Habra, on the Los Angeles and Orange County border.

Snacks, Beverages, and Seating:
Please bring snacks and drinks to share as you wish. Let's do this potluck style. If you have any special dietary restrictions, please message me. We will have some gluten-free snacks. We don't have lots of extra chairs, so we highly suggest that you bring your own.

***************************************************

>>> IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SAFETY & BIOSECURITY <<<

We are VERY serious about biosecurity, especially since we are opening up our home to other chicken-keepers. We have not had any Marek's or other major diseases, we do not want any of it, nor do we want anyone to cross-contaminate each other. If you are attending, please make sure of the following on the day of the meet-up:

1. Make sure that you are freshly showered and have not come in contact with your chickens or other chickens post-shower.
2. Make sure that you are wearing clean clothes and socks that have not been worn when out in your yard and have not come in contact with your chickens since your clothes have been laundered.
3. Please do not wear your garden shoes, chicken shoes, or any other shoes that you wear when you go into your yard. We suggest that you not wear open sandals or flip-flops. Our backyard is heavily mulched with tree mulch and it is likely that your toes and feet will get stabbed by sticks and debris if you wear sandals. Do not wear any shoes you don't want touching a bleach solution (see #4 below).
4. All guests will be required to step into a shallow pan filled with a diluted bleach solution before being allowed to enter our backyard. Furthermore, we will also spray the tops and sides of your shoes with rubbing alcohol in case there is chicken dust or dander on them. We will not allow anyone to enter without getting their shoes disinfected.
5. When you leave our place, we also recommend that you use the bleach pan and spray your shoes before you step into your car. That way, you also protect your own flock.
6. Please bring your common sense and courtesy, and I think everyone will have a safe good time. If you have balance or mobility challenges, please use good judgment. If you bring your children, for their safety, please do not allow them to exlpore on their own. Again, the terrain in the backyard is uneven and spread with a heavy layer of tree mulch that the chickens like to dig through.
7. All guests will be required to sign a waiver of liability upon arrival per the request of the property owner.