Changes November 18, 2009

Nov. 18, 2009–Changes
     The boys were out at the farm last night. It is so dark and cold at 6:00 now, a switch from the beautiful red evenings we had when the program began two months ago.  The van arrives in utter darkness, but I hope the golden glow from the barn windows is inviting.  They [...]

The Upward Spiral November 4, 2009

Nov. 3, 2009– The Upward Spiral
     While I confess to being irked by a poultry vet stalking me in the presses and sending letters to editors all over the place denying the truth about battery hens, I have let my anger slide.  When I began the battery hen/farm therapy program, I had no intention of [...]

Eating Out of Their Hands October 27, 2009

Oct. 26, 2009–Eating Out of Their Hands
     The Pet Network day of filming was a great success and we will be featured on the show Pet Central at some point. The host, Candice Batista is an enormous animal lover, as is the producer.  Candice had the feral kittens soaking up her attention, purring every time [...]

The Past Week October 20, 2009

Oct. 20, 2009–The Past Week
     It has been busy around here to be sure, but productive as well.  Last Thursday the boys came out to care for their chickens.  I had planned on letting them help trim a few of the hens’ nails, and then I would finish the job at another time.  It is [...]

Hens & Media October 12, 2009

Oct. 12, 2009– Hens & Media
     Just a week ago the Toronto Star came out to spend the afternoon with the hens.  Both the writer and videographer were wonderful guys and we had a really nice time. One hen, now dubbed J-Lo, really loved having her photograph taken and ended up making the front page. [...]

Chickens October 3, 2009

Oct. 2, 2009–Chickens
     What progress the ex-battery hens have made!  Within three days small tufts of white downy feathers were appearing on some of the birds.  The yolk of their eggs had turned from pale yellow to vibrant saffron, thanks to the corn introduced to their diet.  The hens began to run around their coop on sturdy [...]

The Gang September 20, 2009

Sept. 20, 2009–The Gang
     On Thursday evening our gang of boys came out to get the coop ready for the battery hens, as they will be in school on the day the hens actually show up.  
     It is a fine balance trying to explain to the children where the hens are coming from and why [...]