Garfield Farm event promotes raising backyard chickens

The barnyard at Garfield Farm Museum in Campton Hills was filled with people Saturday learning the ins and outs of raising backyard chickens.

Special Projects Manager Dave Bauer spoke to the crowd of more than 40 about starting one's own flock.

During the workshop, attendees learned about chicken care, breed selection, incubation choices and more.

The lecture also covered a brief history of chickens, egg collection, and hands-on participation to learn how to handle birds.

Joseph Coleman, the assistant site manager called the program "Chicken 101," and said "that it's just the basics of what you need to know."

The museum established a conservation flock for the Black Java chicken in 1996 and has been partnering with the Museum of Science and Industry of Chicago to help preserve this valuable genetic resource.

It is the second oldest breed of American chicken with its origin going back to the 1830s.

Garfield Farm Museum is at 3N016 Garfield Road, off Route 38, five miles west of Geneva. Garfield Farm is a former historically intact 1840s Illinois prairie farmstead and teamster inn that is being restored as a working 1840s farm. For information, call (630) 584-8485, email info@garfieldfarm.org or visit www.garfieldfarm.org or follow the museum on Facebook.