Humboldt Hen Helper: Backyard Chicken Care Made Easy

A Passion for Chickens and Community Support

Casse Weaver is a multifaceted individual whose days are filled with different roles. By day, she works as a fitness instructor and personal trainer at HealthSPORT in Arcata and Eureka. However, when the sun sets, her focus shifts to a more feathered passion: chickens.

Weaver currently has 23 chickens, including Orpingtons, Wyandottes, Marans, Easter eggers, Rocks, and a couple of Cornish crosses. Her love for these birds led her to start a nonprofit called Humboldt Hen Helper last year. The organization was created to address a growing need for backyard poultry education and assistance within the county.

“I started Humboldt Hen Helper in 2024 because I saw a real need for support in our community,” Weaver explained. “Before this, I had been a co-leader for the poultry project for Arcata Bottom 4-H and many non-4-H families reached out for help and questions.”

The services offered by Humboldt Hen Helper are diverse and accessible. Whether someone needs advice on chicken health, housing, nutrition, or general care, Weaver is there to help. She also provides short tidbits about chicken care through the nonprofit’s presence on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Personalized Assistance and Education

A significant part of Weaver's work involves consultations via phone, text, Messenger, or email. These interactions often involve people seeking advice or reassurance about an issue with their bird or flock. While many of these individuals are from Humboldt County, others come from further afield.

Locally, Weaver offers in-person visits to assess a bird, check a whole flock, or even visit before getting chickens to evaluate a space and provide advice on coop requirements. Common issues she encounters include external parasites, injuries from predators or other flock mates, vitamin deficiencies, and digestive health problems.

One of her favorite aspects of her work is conducting "well coop checks," where nothing is wrong, but the owner wants a thorough health check for each bird, an inspection of the coop, and suggestions for improvement. These visits allow her to highlight what people are doing right and identify areas for growth.

Supporting New Chicken Keepers

Weaver also provides pre-chicken consultations, helping people set up brooders, create safe coops and runs, and assemble a chicken care kit. While the nonprofit's services are free, donations are always welcome and help maintain essential supplies such as first-aid products and poultry care essentials.

“We are very lucky to have vets in our area that will see poultry, but they are considered an 'exotic' and it’s quite pricey,” Weaver noted. “Many people got into keeping chickens as a way to save money and simply can’t afford a vet visit.”

Educational Resources and Online Learning

Humboldt Hen Helper also offers several online learning modules, including “Raising Chicks” and “Biosecurity 101.” Additional modules are in development, focusing on topics such as coop design, egg issues, and helping molting hens. These resources are available on the nonprofit’s website, providing valuable information to chicken keepers across the region.

A Lifelong Love for Birds

Weaver’s passion for birds began early in life. She was “born obsessed with birds” and got her first chicks when she was just a toddler. Growing up in Oregon, she was involved with poultry 4-H and had a wide variety of birds, including geese, ducks, guinea hens, quail, and chickens.

Her deep interest in chicken health came from an unfortunate event in 2018 when her flock contracted Marek’s disease. This experience prompted her to research extensively, leading to a deeper understanding of chicken care. During the pandemic, she used stimulus money to take her knowledge further, visiting the vet with every sick chicken and building a comprehensive chicken care arsenal.

Backyard Chickens and Rising Interest

The popularity of backyard chickens has increased significantly in recent years. Many people turned to raising chickens during the 2020 lockdown as a fun project with kids. The rise in egg prices also boosted chick sales, but not all new chicken keepers were prepared for the challenges.

“Weak brooder setups, inadequate housing, predator attacks, and lack of preparation for common issues are some of the problems new keepers face,” Weaver said. “Rooster dumping is also becoming more common due to the recent surge in chick purchases.”

Despite the challenges, Weaver remains dedicated to sharing her knowledge and resources with others. She believes that while acquiring chickens may be easy, proper care requires experience and education. Her goal is to empower others with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully raise healthy chickens.