Consultations, Classes, Coops, Chickens, Flock Maintenance... and more!
We can help you with nearly anything and everything backyard-chicken-related. Need chickens or coop design consultation? We can help with that. Need to rehome some of your flock, get help with your permitting, or have me come teach a class for your town, club, or group? Yep, we do that too. In select cases we can even install a full coop and run for you, either as an upgrade for an existing flock or with a new crew of ladies!
Oh, and we have a blog!
Consultations on birds and coops can be provided remotely for anyone pretty much anywhere. Live birds, coops, on-site consultations, and classes may have additional travel time&fees depending on distance from central/western MA.
Want us to help figure out the best way to design your coop or manage your flock? Please send us an email at TheChickeness@gmail.com to schedule a consultation, and we'll take it from there!
Oh, and we have a blog!
Consultations on birds and coops can be provided remotely for anyone pretty much anywhere. Live birds, coops, on-site consultations, and classes may have additional travel time&fees depending on distance from central/western MA.
Want us to help figure out the best way to design your coop or manage your flock? Please send us an email at TheChickeness@gmail.com to schedule a consultation, and we'll take it from there!
Classes, Seminars, and kids' programs
Update April 2020: All classes and seminars are currently available at a discounted rate remotely via Zoom if you'd like us to manage it, or the platform of your choice if you are managing the back end. Currently scheduling (very) tentative in-person classes and seminars for late summer/fall 2020.
We offer Yardbirds' "Backyard Chickens 101" seminars and classes that involve a lecture overview of everything you need to know to keep your own chickens, plus a Q&A discussion AND a chance to meet a few of our Chicken Ambassadors in person where possible. Topics include candid discussion of basic chicken info, housing and setup, feeds and daily care, illness and disease, laws and neighbors, breeds, and an endgame plan, plus come with course materials and an official Course Completion Certificate which can be helpful for the permitting process in some towns. Seminars and classes are perfect for your organization, festival, skill-share, small group, garden club, or extended education program. And we offer kids' programs too!
The listed times are based on our experience of what seems to work well, but are fully adjustable to fit your needs. Please email TheChickeness at gmail dot com to check availability and schedule seminars and classes with The Chickeness and Yardbirds Backyard Chickens. Please note that cost may vary slightly by location - for the below rates we are currently able to travel within 1.5 hours of Granby, MA. If you are farther away let us know and we'll see what we can do! And if you're willing to cover travel costs I'll come give a presentation almost literally ANYWHERE. :D
1. Yardbirds Backyard Chickens 101 class for 1-30 people (more directly interactive)
$150 for 1.5-2 hours for up to 30 people. Includes a 45 minute lecture presentation plus 30 minutes-1 hour for questions and discussion followed by a hands-on introduction to our Chicken Ambassadors.
2. Yardbirds Backyard Chickens 101 seminar for 30-500 people (less directly interactive)
$200-400* for 2 hours for 30-500 people (*cost accounts for add'l course materials, depending on expected number of attendees). Includes a 45 minute-1 hour lecture plus 30 minutes-1 hour for questions and discussion followed by a chance to meet our Chicken Ambassadors in person.
3. YBC kids! for 1-25 kids, ages 1-10. Older kids might find the YBC 101 class a bit more interesting - if you're not sure, just ask!
$125 for a half-hour program. Includes guidance on how to prep the kids for our visit before we get there, a 15-20 minute Q&A with their own questions, and a chance for everyone to pet one of our Ambassadors in a controlled setting.
We offer Yardbirds' "Backyard Chickens 101" seminars and classes that involve a lecture overview of everything you need to know to keep your own chickens, plus a Q&A discussion AND a chance to meet a few of our Chicken Ambassadors in person where possible. Topics include candid discussion of basic chicken info, housing and setup, feeds and daily care, illness and disease, laws and neighbors, breeds, and an endgame plan, plus come with course materials and an official Course Completion Certificate which can be helpful for the permitting process in some towns. Seminars and classes are perfect for your organization, festival, skill-share, small group, garden club, or extended education program. And we offer kids' programs too!
The listed times are based on our experience of what seems to work well, but are fully adjustable to fit your needs. Please email TheChickeness at gmail dot com to check availability and schedule seminars and classes with The Chickeness and Yardbirds Backyard Chickens. Please note that cost may vary slightly by location - for the below rates we are currently able to travel within 1.5 hours of Granby, MA. If you are farther away let us know and we'll see what we can do! And if you're willing to cover travel costs I'll come give a presentation almost literally ANYWHERE. :D
1. Yardbirds Backyard Chickens 101 class for 1-30 people (more directly interactive)
$150 for 1.5-2 hours for up to 30 people. Includes a 45 minute lecture presentation plus 30 minutes-1 hour for questions and discussion followed by a hands-on introduction to our Chicken Ambassadors.
2. Yardbirds Backyard Chickens 101 seminar for 30-500 people (less directly interactive)
$200-400* for 2 hours for 30-500 people (*cost accounts for add'l course materials, depending on expected number of attendees). Includes a 45 minute-1 hour lecture plus 30 minutes-1 hour for questions and discussion followed by a chance to meet our Chicken Ambassadors in person.
3. YBC kids! for 1-25 kids, ages 1-10. Older kids might find the YBC 101 class a bit more interesting - if you're not sure, just ask!
$125 for a half-hour program. Includes guidance on how to prep the kids for our visit before we get there, a 15-20 minute Q&A with their own questions, and a chance for everyone to pet one of our Ambassadors in a controlled setting.
Consultations, Coops, and Flock Care services
Additional phone and email consultation is included with any full site assessment, coop installation, or purchase of laying-age birds from us.
REMOTE CONSULTATIONS:
Basic phone consultation for a specific question or to help assess a sick bird - $25 minimum requested donation (<1 hr)
Full remote site assessment via video call - $75 for a full assessment via video call (~1-2 hrs plus follow up)
ON-SITE CONSULTATIONS (Southern New England only; currently scheduling tentative dates for late summer/fall 2020):
Initial on-site consultation - $150 for an initial on-site design and planning consultation visit (generally takes 1-2 hrs)
Follow-up consultations - $100/hr for subsequent on-site consultations for flock health and behavior or coop design consultations
COOP AND FLOCK CARE (Currently available within 30min of Granby, MA OR Northampton, MA):
Coop cleaning visit - $75/visit or $50/visit when added to chicken sitting (below)). Includes removal of old bedding in the coop, replacement with fresh pine shavings, some minor tilling of the run as needed, and a check-over for any minor maintenance issues (loose joints or wires, signs of predator or pest issues, etc).
Flock health-and-wellness check up* - $100/visit for up to 6 birds; $150 for 6-15 birds; or $75/$100/visit when added to chicken sitting (below). Recommended at least once a year, ideally in the Fall. Includes an assessment of overall flock health and behavior, a thorough check-over of each bird for any signs of parasites or other issues, plus nail and beak trimming as needed.
Deworming* (with Wazine) - $45/treatment (two visits, ~24 hrs apart) or $25/treatment when added to chicken sitting (2 days minimum). YBC recommends deworming once every year or two in the fall, preferably when your birds are molting. It is very strongly suggested that you throw away all eggs for 2-4 weeks after deworming treatments, to give the medication time to work its way back out of your birds' systems.
Deworming* (with Ivermectin) - $45/visit plus $5/bird or $25 plus $5/bird when added to chicken sitting OR $10 plus $2/bird when added to a full flock health check (since I'm already catching every bird anyway!).
*NOTE While I have extensive animal husbandry experience, I am NOT a veterinarian and there is only so much I can or will do - if you have a bird that is sick in a way that is not easily treated at home I will strongly recommend you take it to a vet.
CHICKEN COOPS AND BIRDS (Southern New England only; currently on a 2-3 month waiting period, depending on what you're looking for):
COOP/RUN for up to 15 hens - $3000-4000 all-inclusive, depending on specifics. We will coordinate with you to provide a full coop and run setup for a flock of up to 15 birds. All of our coops are designed to be easy to use and maintain, pest-proof, predator-proof, and large enough for your flock to be happy and healthy in there 24 hrs/day, 365 days/year! Options include a raised 4'x4' coop (4-6 birds), 4'x6' coop (6-10 birds), or 4'x8' coop (10-15 birds) plus an attached 6'x8', 8'x8', 6'x10', or 6'x12' run that will allow a minimum of 10 sq ft per bird (usually closer to 12-15 sq ft/bird). Coop setups include off-site construction, delivery and installation, and all supplies. Cost of the flock is NOT included in the coop price, but can be included when we provide your total estimate. Note that a coop order REQUIRES A SITE ASSESSMENT for us to provide an estimate and a 50% deposit before we start building - payment for the assessment can be included towards the cost of your coop.
BIRDS - See our"Hens available" page
REMOTE CONSULTATIONS:
Basic phone consultation for a specific question or to help assess a sick bird - $25 minimum requested donation (<1 hr)
Full remote site assessment via video call - $75 for a full assessment via video call (~1-2 hrs plus follow up)
ON-SITE CONSULTATIONS (Southern New England only; currently scheduling tentative dates for late summer/fall 2020):
Initial on-site consultation - $150 for an initial on-site design and planning consultation visit (generally takes 1-2 hrs)
Follow-up consultations - $100/hr for subsequent on-site consultations for flock health and behavior or coop design consultations
COOP AND FLOCK CARE (Currently available within 30min of Granby, MA OR Northampton, MA):
Coop cleaning visit - $75/visit or $50/visit when added to chicken sitting (below)). Includes removal of old bedding in the coop, replacement with fresh pine shavings, some minor tilling of the run as needed, and a check-over for any minor maintenance issues (loose joints or wires, signs of predator or pest issues, etc).
Flock health-and-wellness check up* - $100/visit for up to 6 birds; $150 for 6-15 birds; or $75/$100/visit when added to chicken sitting (below). Recommended at least once a year, ideally in the Fall. Includes an assessment of overall flock health and behavior, a thorough check-over of each bird for any signs of parasites or other issues, plus nail and beak trimming as needed.
Deworming* (with Wazine) - $45/treatment (two visits, ~24 hrs apart) or $25/treatment when added to chicken sitting (2 days minimum). YBC recommends deworming once every year or two in the fall, preferably when your birds are molting. It is very strongly suggested that you throw away all eggs for 2-4 weeks after deworming treatments, to give the medication time to work its way back out of your birds' systems.
Deworming* (with Ivermectin) - $45/visit plus $5/bird or $25 plus $5/bird when added to chicken sitting OR $10 plus $2/bird when added to a full flock health check (since I'm already catching every bird anyway!).
*NOTE While I have extensive animal husbandry experience, I am NOT a veterinarian and there is only so much I can or will do - if you have a bird that is sick in a way that is not easily treated at home I will strongly recommend you take it to a vet.
CHICKEN COOPS AND BIRDS (Southern New England only; currently on a 2-3 month waiting period, depending on what you're looking for):
COOP/RUN for up to 15 hens - $3000-4000 all-inclusive, depending on specifics. We will coordinate with you to provide a full coop and run setup for a flock of up to 15 birds. All of our coops are designed to be easy to use and maintain, pest-proof, predator-proof, and large enough for your flock to be happy and healthy in there 24 hrs/day, 365 days/year! Options include a raised 4'x4' coop (4-6 birds), 4'x6' coop (6-10 birds), or 4'x8' coop (10-15 birds) plus an attached 6'x8', 8'x8', 6'x10', or 6'x12' run that will allow a minimum of 10 sq ft per bird (usually closer to 12-15 sq ft/bird). Coop setups include off-site construction, delivery and installation, and all supplies. Cost of the flock is NOT included in the coop price, but can be included when we provide your total estimate. Note that a coop order REQUIRES A SITE ASSESSMENT for us to provide an estimate and a 50% deposit before we start building - payment for the assessment can be included towards the cost of your coop.
BIRDS - See our"Hens available" page
Pet sitting at your home or farm
(Currently available within 1.5 hrs of Granby, MA for weekends or 45min of Northampton, MA during the week, schedule permitting)
The Chickeness, Khrysti Smyth Barry, is an insured and bonded petsitter with over 35 years of experience (pet sitting and training was her first job at the tender age of 6 years old!), including 4 years as a veterinary technician. She is experienced with just about any critter you may have, including dogs, cats, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, aquarium fish, exotics, horses, livestock - you name it, she's worked with it! Many glowing references are available upon request.
The Chickeness charges $75/night* for one pet plus $15 for each additional pet (your flock of up to 10 birds counts as one additional pet). Please schedule visits by email at The Chickeness at gmail dot com.
Khrysti is happy to administer medications, care for "special needs" pets, or take care of flocks larger than 10 birds - please include a detailed description of your setup and what care is required in your email and we can determine if a rate increase is necessary to account for the additional tasks.
*Visits that don't involve an extended stay are logistically challenging for us at the moment, so other than the Flock Wellness Check services described above, we don't prefer to offer those services at this time. If you need dog-walking or an occasional check-in for your flock or other pets while you're out of town we would be glad to provide some recommendations.
The Chickeness, Khrysti Smyth Barry, is an insured and bonded petsitter with over 35 years of experience (pet sitting and training was her first job at the tender age of 6 years old!), including 4 years as a veterinary technician. She is experienced with just about any critter you may have, including dogs, cats, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, aquarium fish, exotics, horses, livestock - you name it, she's worked with it! Many glowing references are available upon request.
The Chickeness charges $75/night* for one pet plus $15 for each additional pet (your flock of up to 10 birds counts as one additional pet). Please schedule visits by email at The Chickeness at gmail dot com.
Khrysti is happy to administer medications, care for "special needs" pets, or take care of flocks larger than 10 birds - please include a detailed description of your setup and what care is required in your email and we can determine if a rate increase is necessary to account for the additional tasks.
*Visits that don't involve an extended stay are logistically challenging for us at the moment, so other than the Flock Wellness Check services described above, we don't prefer to offer those services at this time. If you need dog-walking or an occasional check-in for your flock or other pets while you're out of town we would be glad to provide some recommendations.
