TheHappy Hen Havenbills itself as “ a big category on a small Iowa hobby farm . ” In terms of numbers , Jeffry and Heather Wolf ’s venture claims more than 50 Gallus gallus dwell contentedly on its premises — and many of theseSilkiechicks have become social media stars after appearing in a serial of eye - catching and smile - inducing photographs on the farm’sInstagram accounting .
After discovering the Happy Hen Haven ’s chicks , I spoke to Heather about the ancestry of the hobby farm , the appeal of Silkies — and just how you go about photographing chicks in tutus .
Starting the Happy Hen Haven
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“ Our motivating for the Happy Hen Haven begin with our 11 children , ” says Heather . “ For about a twelvemonth they kept insist we should get a couple of chicken to add to our family . ” With no old chicken - keeping experience , Heather began researching and decided that Silkies would be a impertinent fit with her family ’s lifestyle .
“ We only mean to get a couple , but ended up coming home with nine , and it was at that moment our crybaby addiction began , ” she says . “ Chicken mathis substantial ! ”
Silkie Stars of the Show
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The Happy Hen Haven ’s initial focal point on Silkies came about after Heather happen on an image of “ a lilliputian ball of fluff not resembling a traditional chicken . ” She was in a flash smitten . It helps that Heather also distinguish that Silkies would be “ hardy enough for our harsh Iowa winter and raging humid summers . ”
These days , the Happy Hen Haven host other breed of volaille too — but the pump of the hobby farm is still about Silkies .
What’s a Silkie Like?
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“ Silkies have such a sweet , docile temperament with a hint of a diva position , ” says Heather when ask to describe the personality of the Happy Hen Haven ’s chicks . “ They sure enough are n’t the brightest of breeds — and are a bit distant — but their adorable personalities make up for it . ”
Chicks in Tutus
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One of the Happy Hen Haven ’s most pop Instagram motion picture star a couple of chicks in ballet skirt .
Yep , say it out loud : skirt in tutus .
It turns out that Heather stumbled across a movie of some duckling in tutus and decided to spruce up up her Silkies in a similar fashion .
“ I grabbed a couple of cupcake liner from the kitchen cabinet , cut small holes in the meat of the liner , and brought up two of the low sister we had at the time , ” she explicate . “ When I site the liner on the chicks , they stood there in perfect pose , so I grabbed my camera and only needed to snatch a couple of pictures . Honestly , they did n’t seem to mind at all ! ”
Introducing the Frizzled Cuckoo Silkie
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Heather ’s photograph of the chicks in tutus is the Happy Hen Haven ’s most popular photograph to particular date , but Heather sound out her personal favorite boast a Cuckoo Silkie .
“ He ’s a giant ball of nappy frippery and personal magnetism , ” she says . “ He just make out tending . ”
Top Tips for Photographing Chicks
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If the Happy Hen Haven has inspire you to attempt and lose it some flick of your own chicks , Heather say you shout set up everything before you start out the shoot . She articulate dainty and patience are key , and it helps to have a shiny object to undulate around to get the chicks ’ attention .
“ If you are photographing a young chick who is still under a heat lamp , strain to keep the session as unretentive as possible and in a warm and dry location , ” Heather advises . “ Otherwise , they can become chilled quite quickly . Also , never endeavor to impel a pose — I usually keep it under five minutes . ”
