In this episode of Mother Earth News and Friends, podcast team member Kenny Coogan chats with Gwenne Baile of Camden County Chickens to learn more about the therapy chicken services she offers in her community. What are therapy chickens? Are chickens allowed in my city? Learn what it takes to provide therapy chicken services from Camden County Chickens.
After 40 years working as a Registered Nurse, the last 29 as a Certified Nurse Midwife, Gwenne Baile put her efforts into getting the law in her town changed because she had a desire to have a few backyard hens and found out it was illegal, since they were seen as “barnyard animals.” Five years later after she started my quest, Gwenne was successful in changing her town of Haddon Township (about 10 minutes across the bridge from Philadelphia) and a pilot program was passed. A few months later, she got her first hens. She had learned about therapy hens in the course she was taking to know more about chickens so she could discuss their value with her council. Six years later, she’s back to pre-COVID visits, doing at least three a week, and she’s been instrumental in helping 24 more towns change their ordinances across New Jersey and into Pennsylvania. Gwenne adds, “Not bad for an almost 74 year old!”
Additional Resources
Thanks to Brinsea for sponsoring this episode! Learn more about Brinsea, the leader of innovative incubation research, on their website.
On the Road with Sandie and Her Sisters, the Therapy Hens (Facebook page)
Camden County Chickens and Therapy Hens Facebook page
Camden County Chickens website
Our Podcast Team:
Carla Tilghman, Jessica Mitchell, John Moore, & Kenny Coogan
Music: “The Beauty of Authenticity” by One Man Book
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