The Happy Hen Podcast

19/03/2021

Hooray, freedom for the hens!

The risk of avian influenza to both wild and captive birds has reduced to ‘medium’. The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) requiring enhanced biosecurity will remain in place but Wednesday 31st March will be the last day poultry and other captive birds will need to be housed. Restrictions end 23:59 31st March.

High standards of biosecurity remain essential as infection may still be present in the environment. See our press notice: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/avian-influenza-bird-flu-national-prevention-zone-declared

And read our guidance on how to prepare for the safe release of your birds:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/971244/advice-to-poultry-keepers-preparing-range.pdf

02/02/2021

A little late due to family bereavement, but I hope you find that this fantastic episode is worth the wait.

Helen Cooper from Big Red Rooster Cockerel Rescue talks to me about the trials and tribulations of running a rescue centre. She also shares some incredible stories about some of the amazing characters she has had under her care. Other topics we discuss are the issues of cockerels being abandoned, noise complaints, and school hatches.

Helen Cooper from Big Red Rooster Cockerel Rescue talks to me about the trials and tribulations of running a rescue centre. She also shares some incredible stories about some of the amazing characters she has had under her care. To check out the work of this incredible organisation, head here. Also....

01/02/2021

Here is the referenced article to this interesting post. I highly recommend following Learning About Animals page - they are awesome!

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.584162/full

Chickens seem to prefer sand as a substrate when given the choice although there are several caveats. The authors of the study also found that chickens appeared to be equally happy foraging or pecking in different substrates possibly because these are generally exploratory behaviours. Monckton V, Ellis JL and Harlander-Matauschek A (2020) Floor substrate preferences of chickens: A meta-analysis. Frontiers of Veterinary Science 7, 584162.

01/02/2021

This will be super! Helen Cooper is this weeks guest, so look out for our next episode which will be out very soon. We also talk about school hatches.

18/01/2021

Be Back Soon.

There won't be an episode today, due to personal circumstances.

But don't fret, The Happy Hen Podcast will be back in your eardrums soon. I have some super guests lined up, some fun "Roost-time stories", and am looking forward to a 2021 filled with chickens!

13/01/2021

SADLY CANCELLED

Due to unforseen personal circumstances I have had to take the decision to cancel the online webinar, "Next Level Chicken Enrichment."

Anybody already booked on will of course be refunded in full.

Keep an eye out for future webinars, as I hope to be hosting some exciting events in 2021.

06/01/2021

WELFARE WEDNESDAY ⛑️❤️
Did you know that your hen has ears much like we do? Would you be able to locate them if she was a bit off balance or staggering around? Check out our new welfare post on how hens have ears and what it means if they become infected.

https://www.bhwt.org.uk/gaynors-hen-tips/hen-anatomy-hens-have-ears/

04/01/2021

Something a bit different this time!
Here is the first of "roost time stories", where I will be reading a chicken related story, and will usually follow this up with some interesting facts at the end. An easy listen at less than 10 minutes total length.
I hope you enjoy it.

The first of "roost time stories", where I will be reading a chicken related story, and will usually follow this up with some interesting facts at the end. In this episode I read, "Chickens can't see in the dark", by Kistyna Litten. This book was given to me by my dear friend Rebekah Scott, who has....

26/12/2020

Wishing you all a very happy festive season!

I will be having a little break over the Christmas period, so bringing you all another episode on January 4th.

I'm also running "Next Level Chicken Enrichment", a webinar for those of you who want to dig deeper into cool enrichment ideas for your chooks. This will be especially useful for those who have had to restrict their hens due to Avian Influenza.

This will be run on repeated dates, 10:30am - 12pm every Monday morning from January 11th - February 8th. Book your place here: https://www.maisiewake.com/book-online

14/12/2020

Here it is! In episode 3 I talk a little about my childhood chooks, then delve into the topic of feather pecking - a really important subject to mark the start of 'chicken lockdown'!

This is my first time flying solo! In this episode I talk a little about my childhood chooks... Then head into the detailed subject of feather pecking! I also breifly discuss how I have kindly worked with aggressive pecking. Pictured is Tawny, who was featured in this section. Notice how Sarah is we...

13/12/2020

Tune in tomorrow for the next episode! This time you will be hearing more from me, as I talk about feather pecking - how to identify this behavioural issue, some general tips for dealing with it, and most importantly, how to prevent it from happening in the first place! This is especially important for hens who have been impacted by the new Avian Influenza housing order.

10/12/2020

Through 'chicken lockdown', we are going to be talking about enrichment a lot. It is so important to keep our chooks as happy as possible, especially if they are not used to being kept in.

Dr Henrietta Kodilinye-Sims is offering a free webinar on this topic - this Saturday! I will be pitching in with some valuable tips on enrichment as well. Head over and book your place :D.

The next Happy Hen Podcast episode will also be delving even deeper into the subject of enrichment, so be sure to tune in.

https://www.surreypoultryvet.co.uk/event-details/enriching-your-poultry-during-the-avian-influenza-housing-order

The new DEFRA housing of poultry order is to keep our birds safe, but we also need to help them stay entertained. This is a free webinar for us to learn some enrichment tips and share our ideas. Add a photo of your best enrichment idea to this Jamboard - https://jamboard.google.com/d/1cOiZ2yKnV

08/12/2020

Chirpy Chook products are specially designed and selected to enhance the happiness and well being of your chickens.

04/12/2020

Please make yourself aware of the new Avian Flu regulations, which do apply to everybody.

Also, just like navigating through COVID-19, please try to stay calm. We can all only do the best we can to secure our birds’ runs, keep them healthy and happy, and maintain good bio security. Think of the mental health of yourself and your birds, and try to put together an enrichment plan so that they are getting different stimulation every day, especially if they are not used to being shut in.

I’ll be making more posts about enrichment in upcoming weeks.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/avian-influenza-bird-flu-national-prevention-zone-declared

New housing measures will come into force in England, Scotland and Wales on 14 December.

03/12/2020

Two episodes in... What's the verdict so far?! I would love to hear your thoughts!
What would you like me to cover next?
What would you like me to do differently?
Am I achieving the feel of a cosy chat by the fire in a pub?

Also... Please leave a review, either here or on iTunes. That would be really helpful for me :D

01/12/2020

Check out the great range of healthy chicken goodies over at Pawsitive Thinking.

🐔 Don't forget your pet chickens! 🐔 They love a treat too and Pawsitive Thinking can help you 🙂 We have the best chicken grit, poultry porridge, super seeds and other healthy treats for happy hens.

https://www.pawsitivethinking.co.uk/product-category/chickens/

30/11/2020

Here is episode two of The Happy Hen Podcast!

In this fascinating conversation we talk about Swedish landrace breeds, the challenges involved in incubating eggs in Ireland, and understanding cockerel behaviour. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! Here are Carina's 'chicken world' links: https://www.the-chicken-world.com/ https:...

26/11/2020

Not long till episode 2 of The Happy Hen Podcast!
I can't wait to share this lovely interview with you, where I talk with Carina Herton about Swedish Flower Hens, and about cockerel behaviour - amongst other things!

Below is another fascinating landrace breed from Sweden, called the Bohuslän-Dals Svarthöna... You can learn more about them in the next episode on Monday 30th November.

16/11/2020

Now available on Spotify!

My name is Maisie Wake, I am a chicken behaviour specialist, and my goal is to create a better world for chickens everywhere. In this podcast, you will get to know me and my flock better, as I share my own knowledge and experience with you. I will also be chatting to people from all walks of life, b...

16/11/2020

Check out the first Happy Hen Podcast episode here!

I'd love to hear your feedback - this is very new for me!
https://anchor.fm/the-happy-hen-podcast/episodes/Liz-Barrett-joins-me-for-our-first-ever-episode-emg034

Liz talks about the learning curve of being landed with chickens unexpectedly. She also introduces us to her flock of hens, and briefly talks about the beautiful pheasants who frequent her garden too. An important discussion Liz opens is the subject of grieving for our pet chickens, and the challeng...

15/11/2020

Get ready for the first Happy Hen Podcast interview with guest, Liz Barrett!
Pictured here is Liz with her much loved and sadly departed Miss Minnie, who you hear a lot about in the episode! Launch day is Monday 16th :D
https://anchor.fm/the-happy-hen-podcast

05/11/2020

https://youtu.be/pef5-QKrluU

Here is a little intro video for you, giving you a flavour of what The Happy Hen Podcast will be like!
You will need to wait a couple of weeks for the first episode. As with all the best things in life, a little patience is needed before they come to you.
I hope to launch an episode fortnightly on Mondays. 😁

My name is Maisie Wake, and my goal is to create a better world for chickens everywhere. In this podcast, you will get to know me and my flock better, as I s...

31/10/2020

31/10/2020

I'm so excited to be launching The Happy Hen Podcast.
Why, "The Happy Hen"? To me, this name sounds like the name of a good pub, where you can nestle into a comfortable sofa next to a roaring fire and get lost in conversation while enjoying your favourite drink. This is the feel I hope to create with The Happy Hen Podcast! I will be finding people who are as passionate about chickens as I am, so that we can delve deep into meaningful conversations.
Stay tuned for information coming soon about the first episode!

31/10/2020

31/10/2020

31/10/2020