Hens, like children, are bossy, demanding, endlessly curious and easily gratified. They are comical to watch, make great friends to your children and lay eggs. I love having hens. Currently, I keep twenty-four chickens, divided into two flocks, that live in two coops with fenced yards. I keep hens for the eggs, but I'm not a farmer that by necessity can only house productive birds. Some of my hens are old and no longer lay, others are fancy birds that lay small eggs. I collect enough eggs to keep my kitchen stocked with delicious eggs, and I get the company of familiar hens in my backyard.

In this Web site you'll find useful information on keeping a small flock of backyard hens. Read this to get started. I've sorted through the many Web sites out there and annotated some of the most useful links and books. If you have a question, you might find the answer on my FAQs page. My HenBlog is updated frequently with the goings-on here at Little Pond Farm. Search the archives for specific information.

You'll also find some fun stuff, as well as my favorite children's' books that feature chickens. Be sure to watch my live Hen Cam where you look in on my hens (ever watch a hen lay an egg?) Of course, if you have hens, you'll have eggs, so I've written The Farmstead Egg Cookbook, which is filled with recipes to help you use those wonderful eggs up.

My hens star in their first childrens' book, Tillie Lays an Egg. Come and see the fun!