About the Author

Christine Heinrichs

I write from my home on California’s Central Coast. I keep a backyard flock of a dozen hens, eight large fowl of various breeds and four bantams. My book, How to Raise Chickens, was first published in 2007, just as the local food movement was starting to focus attention on the industrial food system. Backyard chickens became the mascot of local food. The third edition of How to Raise Chickens was published in January 2019. The Backyard Field Guide to Chickens was published in 2016. Look for them in Tractor Supply stores and online. I have a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Oregon and belongs to several professional journalism and poultry organizations.

USPS Honors Heritage Breeds

May 13, 2021 · Christine Heinrichs · Poultry 101

The next time you mail a letter, you can support heritage breeds by stamping it with one of the Heritage Breed Stamps on sale at the post office and through the website starting May 17th.

Chickens in Chinese Medicine

February 20, 2021 · Christine Heinrichs · Eggs & Meat

Silkies have been venerated in Chinese traditional medicine for more than 1,000 years. Scientific researchers are looking for a basis for their nutritional value.

Small is the Next Big Thing

February 10, 2021 · Christine Heinrichs · Eggs & Meat

The coronavirus pandemic showed how important small flocks are to production as well as breed conservation. Small flocks, like vegetable gardens, give their keepers a measure of self-sufficiency. You’ll always have eggs!

Poultry Art is Historic and Enduring

August 26, 2020 · Christine Heinrichs · Poultry 101

The American Poultry Association and the American Bantam Association illustrate their Standards with artworks rather than photos. The APA Standard still uses some of Schilling’s black and white illustrations in the most recent (44th ) edition of the APA Standard.

Feathers Hard and Soft

July 22, 2020 · Christine Heinrichs · Feed & Health

Feathers are an indication of overall health and condition. They are the visible indicators of other problems: poor diet, parasite infestation, behavioral problems such as aggression.

Organizations Lead Young People Toward Poultry

June 16, 2020 · Christine Heinrichs · Poultry 101

Kids are attracted to chickens from the first time Mom reads them the story of the Little Red Hen. They fall in love with fluffy feathers. Poultry organizations can help them build those attractions into solid life paths.

Crèvecœur Chicken: Conserving a Historic Breed

May 18, 2020 · Christine Heinrichs · Chickens 101

After success with the Buckeye, Jeannette Beranger of The Livestock Conservancy is now working with the Crèvecœur chicken.

Dorking the Town, Dorking the Chicken

December 24, 2019 · Christine Heinrichs · Chickens 101

American poultry owes a lot to its English roots. My husband Gordon and I set out for England to visit Mudchute Farm and the Dorking Museum to connect with poultry fanciers there.

Poultry Summit 2019

October 25, 2019 · Christine Heinrichs · Members Only, Poultry 101

Poultry leaders from all perspectives of Standard and exhibition poultry came together to unite on supporting poultry. They emerged with a will to collaborate and work together to help each other in the greater good of poultry success.

APA Flock Inspection Program

August 15, 2019 · Christine Heinrichs · Poultry 101

With increased interest in heritage breed poultry, the American Poultry Association is stepping up to promote standard breeds. Its Flock Certification Program, revived in 2014 after being abandoned in the 1950s, will certify consumer chicken and other poultry with the APA’s imprimatur.

About the Author

Christine Heinrichs

Articles by Christine Heinrichs