The MidWest’s only chicken consultant, Jennifer Murtoff provides compassionate, homespun consulting and emergency care for backyard chickens in the Chicagoland area. A farmer’s granddaughter, Jennifer’s passion for fowl developed as she acquired a number of kinds of birds in south central Pennsylvania. Her flock included chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, quail, peafowl, pigeons, and golden pheasants.
She offers information and resources on chicken care from chick to adult, and, while she is not a veterinarian, can provide emergency advice and troubleshooting. Jennifer leads workshops on backyard chickens; does presentations for garden groups, schools, and other interested parties; and assists families with their own flocks.
See the Home to Roost Services page or call 708-524-5038 for more information.
“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
― Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC
Welcome to my place of deep gladness!
*NOTE: All content on the Home to Roost site belongs to Home to Roost unless a source is stated. Material cannot be republished or reused without express written consent from Home to Roost.
Home to Roost’s logo was created by the fabulous Studio D Consulting!
Posted by Julie Adams on April 16, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Hi Jennifer – I am with Kohl Children’s Museum, and each year we do a Eggs to Chicks exhibit where we hatch Java chickens for kids to see. We have a gentlemen farmer who has thus far taken our chicks after they get to be about 3 weeks old, but he won’t take any chick who has special needs. This year, we have been lucky with a good healthy bunch of chicks born (we’ve even had 3 rare Auburn java Chicks born…maybe you’ve seen it in the local papers?)
I’m reaching out to you for help finding a home for one baby java that was born last week, who has an issue with his leg…he only uses one leg – he eats fine and seems to be thriving otherwise. I, myself, do cat/dog/rabbit rescue in the city of Chicago but have no resources for helping chickens in need. Do you guys have resources to help find him/her a safe home – where the person doesn’t care if he hops around on one leg? He’s a black Java chick…as cute as can be. I am contacting anyone I can find with chicken connections – so any help/guidance you can give would be great! I need a home for him by the end of next week…the 22nd. Oy!
Posted by chickenwoman on April 16, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Hi, Julie –
I’m happy to hear about your successful hatch! Do you have any idea what is wrong with him? Sometimes these things are fixable if they are young enough!
Are you able to bring him to see me? (I have a busy weekend, so I’m hesitant to travel, but some things are easier to fix when they are young.)
I will be happy to tap my chicken networks, and if you email me some pix, I can post him and his story on my blog. Do you know if it’s a male or a female?
Thanks,
Jen
Posted by nancy hess on June 4, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Hi, Jennifer. I live in Oak Park. My brother, who lives outside of Toronto, also has an interest in raising chickens, and also has a blog about his first efforts, along with many cute pictures.
You might be interested in checking it out:
http://www.chickenreport.com
Nancy
Posted by chickenwoman on June 5, 2010 at 10:33 pm
It’s a great blog, Nancy! Thanks for the connection!
Jen
Posted by Roberta on September 8, 2010 at 11:46 pm
Hi There,
Very nice to see another urban chicken blog out there. Amy Pavelich is a friend of mine and was as excited to pass on your link as I was to get it. If I ever have any burning questions I’ll contact you. This is our first go ’round with chickens, we brought them home in mid-May and are awaiting our first eggs. Can’t wait. I have to say, even without the eggs they have been well worth it. They are very entertaining and sweet.
Take Care,
Roberta
Posted by chickenwoman on September 10, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Thanks, Roberta! I’m glad we connected! They are great birds – tons of personality!
Jen
Posted by Erin on November 21, 2010 at 12:33 am
So thrilled to find your blog! As a suburban Chicago resident, I’ve been talking to my husband for almost a year about getting laying hens! I was raised on a farm and would love to give my kids a small piece of that farm experience here in suburbia.
I’m looking forward to reading more from you and seeing you on Chicago Tonight!
Posted by chickenwoman on November 21, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Thanks for your comment, Erin!
There is quite a community of Chicagoans with chickens. I agree; educating kids is a great reason for chickens! We should be good for Monday!
Jen
Posted by jill jankowski on January 25, 2011 at 7:55 pm
I am trying to find out the legality of backyard chickens in unincorporated cook county-La Grange Highlands. Could you give me direction
?
Ive contacted every site and ordinance and person and I cannot find anything. Could you give me direction?
Many Thanks
Jill Jankowski
Posted by chickenwoman on January 26, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Jill –
I’m checking with my contacts. This is a tough one. I’ll touch base with you if/when I have an answer.
Thanks!
Jen
Posted by Nancy C on May 4, 2011 at 5:46 pm
I have contacted Cook County as I am unincorporated . . the girl said yes . . I checked on line to see the rules http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=13805&stateId=13&stateName=Illinois says not for cock fighting and not as a promo (coloring chicks) . . I now have 11 chicks in my bathroom
have been wanting them since 2006.
Posted by Roger Sipe on February 1, 2011 at 10:31 pm
Hello,
Are you planning a 2011 chicken coop tour? If so, we’d like to list it in our upcoming issue of Chickens magazine.
Thanks,
Roger Sipe
Editor
Chickens magazine
Posted by chickenwoman on February 2, 2011 at 2:45 am
Yes! Will keep you posted!
Jen
Posted by nancy on March 27, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Re:Jill Jankowski I talked with a friend (cook county cop) she said get the chickens. . called cook county they said yes . .wanted more questions answered transfered me to building & zoning left message – no returned calls . .looked up on line all and discusses cockfighting(no) and coloring of chicks for promos and give aways(no) but nothing about how many . . mine are scheduled to come 4/12/11 . . I have no background in raising chickens other than I help my cousin everytime I visit her in Michigan . . and I hope my mother 89 who was raised on a farm can remember things to help . . cant wait!
Posted by chickenwoman on March 29, 2011 at 4:58 pm
Chicago city code does not mention how many you can have and does not prohibit roosters (only “excessive noise”). You cannot keep them for slaughter or sport, either. Generally when you call you get bounced around – so you can look up the code on line.
Nancy, if you want, come to my chicken keeping class on April 10! We’ll talk about chicken care from raising chicks to end of life. See my post about the class!
Posted by susan cribari on May 2, 2011 at 4:38 pm
I am so glad to have found you! I am interested in in raising laying hens in lagrange highlands – unincorporated. I cannot seem to get an answer, as to whether it is allowed. Any suggestions? I appreciate ur help, and look forward to your advise in the future. Suzy
Posted by chickenwoman on May 2, 2011 at 6:32 pm
Hi, Suzy –
I’ll send you some info.
Jen
Posted by Nancy C on May 4, 2011 at 5:53 pm
Jen, thanks for the April 10th invite but I missed it as you can see I am posting this 5/4. My parents live with us Mom(89) was raised on a farm in northern Wisconsin. . and our cousin in Michigan has owned chickens for a few years and has been my guide – not to mention all the reading I’ve done before getting these girls . .also her brother lives nextdoor and is our vet. So I have a nice safety net . . and Thank You for being there if I need an answer
Posted by Carrie on August 28, 2011 at 8:38 pm
Hi Jennifer,
I recently started doing chicken care for a friend when she went on vacation. I have always loved animals & have been told that I am god with furries & nonfurries alike. I am looking to make myself available to more people who need someone to look after their chickens when they need extra or vacation help. I can provide references on request.
Posted by Sheryl DeVore on August 30, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Ms. Murtoff: If you have a moment, I really would love to talk to you about raising chickens for a story I’m writing for the Tribune. You can reach me at 312-731-4173 or sdevore@tribune.com. Anyone in the Lake or McHenry County areas who are raising chickens — feel free to contact me.
All the best,
Sheryl DeVore
Posted by chickenwoman on September 8, 2011 at 9:02 am
Thanks, Sheryl –
I’ve responded via email.
Jen
Posted by Matt on April 24, 2012 at 8:53 pm
Hi Jen,
I’m part of an education startup called Dabble (www.dabble.co) which launched in Chicago a few months ago. We’re trying to support cool people doing cool things and we’d love to feature an “Urban Chicken” class led by you.
Please check out the website and details below and let me know if you’d be interested in hearing more about the opportunity.
Thank you!
Matt
———————–
http://www.dabble.co
Video: What is Dabble? http://vimeo.com/24099532
For more info about teaching, please visit http://dabble.co/teach
Posted by chickenwoman on April 24, 2012 at 9:55 pm
Hi, Matt –
I’d be happy to talk to you about this. I’ll send you an email offline.
Jen
Posted by chickenwoman on April 30, 2012 at 11:10 am
Matt – I’m interested in talking to you about this but the site is down. Can you call me at 708-524-5038?
Posted by Cheryl Schulz on January 6, 2013 at 11:04 am
Hi Jen;
Heard about your class at the GPC. My daughters and I live on the NW side of Chicago. We are active menbers of 4-H (yes it is in the city and suburbs). 2 years ago we did an Embryology Project and as a result have developed a hobby of raising chickens in the city. Currrently we have 3 hens (1 black one-Monica, and 2 white ones-Thing 1 and Thing 2) and a rooster-Brickle. It is fun watching them interact when they are out of their cages either in the basement or outside (in nice winter weather too). The eggs are indeed delicious too. Glad to know there is a source out there to consult with if needed.
Posted by chickenwoman on January 7, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Hi, Cheryl!
Glad you found me. I started my interest in chickens with a 4-H project in 4th grade. They are a lot of fun!
Jen