government and I want more distance between themselves and myself, more freedom, more choices, less dependancy, less government. I say, let's reset the government instead and get some honest, freedom-loving, family-values people in public office. In my article “Do You Want The Great Reset” I will also discuss positive things that we can do to survive or even prevent The Great Reset. I also want to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christian Pastor Artur Pawlowski and tell some of his story. As well I would like to honour Tamara Lich, a musician and freedom activist from Alberta who was one of the three main organizers of the Freedom Convoy Protests in Ottawa in 2022. By all means visit our websites: https://hobbyhomesteadingprepper.ca
http://www.zionchristianministry.com
http://freedomandsocialorder.com
God bless you!
Shawn Stevens
I want to express in the clearest language possible that all statements made in this magazine are meant to be taken not in malice towards any identifiable people group but rather as discussion on issues of public interest, for public benefit, in good faith. I believe that my views on the issues contained here are also consistent with our faith beliefs which are contained in our statement of faith which can be viewed on our websites. Whether you agree or disagree with what I have stated here we bless you.My articles are meant to be read with an open mind. By reading these articles you may find material that you find objectionable. By viewing the material, or any part of the material, printed in this magazine, and any part of the magazine and its pages, you agree to wave any legal or equitable rights or remedies you have or may have against Shawn Stevens or Ramona Stevens in respect to material that you find offensive or objectionable contained in this magazine.I and we at freedomandsocialorder.com accept no responsibility or liability for any harms or losses that may occur as result of following any information found on this site. Do not consider information found here to be legal advice from ourselves to yourself. Do not use information found here if you don't agree to these terms. I am not a legal authority and do not propose to be viewed as such. By reading the material of this magazine or any part of this magazine, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Shawn Stevens and Ramona Stevens and you specifically acknowledge and agree that Shawn Stevens and Ramona Stevens will not be liable for comments deemed defamatory, offensive or damaging and agree to dismiss any legal claims that you may have against Shawn Stevens or Ramona Stevens relating to the contents of this magazine.
Shawn Stevens
Big Town, Small Town, No Town
What do you like; city, big town, small town, no town? Where is there the most freedom and the most security? Some might think that cities have the most freedom because there are more options of things to do. Some might think that cities are the most secure because there is the most amount of infrastructure. Both of these are illusions, at least in my opinion. You decide. However, I am arguing here for the small town or no town living.
Small town or no town is more free and more secure because less is more. Less population means less government. Less government means less tax. Less government means less regulation. All of these “lesses” mean more freedom.
Less does not just mean more freedom. It means more security. Small town or no town is more secure because there is less dependancy on government. Less dependency means more freedom to make all of the common sense choices that you want and need to make to be secure.
The liberal social engineers and societal engineers are trying to reduce urban sprawl and increase urban density. However, when cities grow beyond 50,000 the per capita cost of government starts to rise sharply. This is because more and more government is created to rule over more and more people. Along with the more and more government comes more and more taxes. Governments like this. They like to see their tax base grow. They encourage population growth. In fact, they encourage rapid growth.
Rapid growth of a town or city is risky. The most stable kind of growth is gradual growth. The more rapid the growth, the greater the cost and the debt associated with that growth. The faster the growth the harder it is to control spending.
While politicians are taking the risky path of rapid growth, high density, big city and big government, the population untimely pays for the economic crash that follows. It is passed on to them. However, in the meantime the population lives under the illusion of false freedom and false security.
It is time for a course correction. The alternative is small town or no town. No town is a hobby-farm or homestead. No town is maximum freedom and maximum security. You are not dependent on infrastructure; you make your own. You are not dependent on food supply; you grow your own. You are not dependant on corporate employers; you are in charge of your own employment, self employment or remote employment. Hobby-farming and homesteading is a return to a more natural way of living. Remember, less is more.
Shawn Stevens
REFERENCES
Joel M. Skousen. The Secure Home. 2013.
https://freedom-farm.org/
https://homesteadfree.com/
DO YOU WANT THE GREAT RESET?
“Welcome To 2030: I Own Nothing, Have No Privacy And Life Has Never Been Better” (Ida Auken, Global Future Council On Cities And Urbanization Of The World Economic Forum, Forbes Magazine, Nov 10, 2016 https://www.forbes.com/sites/worldeconomicforum/2016/11/10/shopping-i-cant-really-remember-what-that-is-or-how-differently-well-live-in-2030/)
The above quote is the title of an article written by Ida Auken, a member of the Global Future Council On Cities And Urbanization Of The World Economic Forum. Remember her name and the article that she is quoted in. I will refer to it again further down in this writing. Auken's quote and article was contributed by the World Economic Forum and printed in Forbes Magazine. Ida Auken is also a member of the Danish parliament and, along with other world leaders, is promoting a Great Reset of this world's financial and social structures, a New World order that would dramatically change the lives of millions or perhaps even billions of people. What is the “Great Reset?” At this point, details are not available. However, The Great Reset could be something like this: the elimination or stripping back of personal wealth, the elimination or restriction of personal property, the elimination or reduction of personal privacy and in its place a new system where the government and/or multi-national corporations own everything or most things and hold great power.This reset would also wipe out personal debt and is supposed to deliver a socialist system where everyone's needs are met by the state. It is being promoted as a Utopia in contrast to our present world of inequality and struggle.
Let's dissect this and look at it more closely. For starters, what is the World Economic Forum? The World Economic Forum was established in 1971 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. According to themselves : “The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.” Its founder is Prof. Klaus Schwab. It is comprised of representatives from most of the big-name, multi-national companies of the world as well as many world political leaders and select privileged individuals. It is a club for the very wealthy. Wikipedia reports that in 2011 an annual membership cost was $52,000 for an individual, $263,000 for "Industry Partner" and $527,000 for "Strategic Partner". In short, The World Economic Forum is a globalist club of corporate and political leaders and super-wealthy individuals who meet to strategize and shape world economies.
What are the strategies that The World Economic Forum are trying to bring about? They want a New World Order and a Great Reset. The “Great Reset” was the name for the 50th meeting of the World Economic Forum in June of 2020. Perhaps the biggest emphasis of the Great Reset is environmental conservationism. To achieve the kind of environmental conservationism that they would like to see accomplished, it will require dramatic restrictions on individual freedoms and individual liberties. The Great Reset also promotes green-technology and would usher in a new wave of super-technology that would make use of artificial intelligence, nano-technology, quantum computing and more.
The World Economic Forum is perhaps the single greatest driver for this radical global change that will eliminate, replace or change the world's current financial and social structures into a New World Order driven by environmental conservationism, a new modern socialism and a flood of super-technology.
The Great Reset also incorporates a new modern form of socialism. Countries are encouraged to adopt programs of Guaranteed Income for their populations. In this arrangement populations will receive their financial support from the government. They will either choose to supplement their financial support or perhaps even live off of it completely. However, in this system people will be encouraged (or perhaps required) to give up personal property. On the World Economic Forum's website they claim: “Universal basic income is the answer to the inequalities exposed by COVID-19.” (https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/covid-19-universal-basic-income-social-inequality/)
The form of The “Universal Basic Income” that they promote is “to sustain a person at a modest minimum, leaving sufficient incentives to work, save, and invest.” (https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/covid-19-universal-basic-income-social-inequality/)However,
The World Economic Forum suggests that such Universal Basic Income should come with conditions placed on individuals. They say; “Finally, good arguments can be made for having very selective conditions – for instance, some that relate to public goods, like vaccinating all children and ensuring they attend school.” (https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/covid-19-universal-basic-income-social-inequality/)
Will the Great Reset and the new system include every living person? Apparently not. Such a system will be focused on those living in cities. City-dwellers will be completely reliant on the infrastructure of the cities which, of course, will be controlled by the government. However, there will be those who reject the system and choose to live and work remotely and rurally.
Ida Auken refers to such ones who choose to live and work remotely and rurally in her article printed in Forbes Magazine. She says “My biggest concern is all the people who do not live in our city. Those we lost on the way. Those who decided that it became too much, all this technology. Those who felt obsolete and useless when robots and AI took over big parts of our jobs. Those who got upset with the political system and turned against it. They live different kind of lives outside of the city. Some have formed little self-supplying communities. Others just stayed in the empty and abandoned houses in small 19th century villages.” (https://www.forbes.com/sites/worldeconomicforum/2016/11/10/shopping-i-cant-really-remember-what-that-is-or-how-differently-well-live-in-2030/)
This is very concerning language. Auken is all-in on the new system, but she foresees people who have escaped this new system by living remotely and rurally. What is her view of such people? Are we all appreciated for our different values, different priorities and different ways of life? No. To her such people are her “biggest concern”. They represent a threat. She is frustrated over losing them instead of winning them over. She associates them with living in “19th century villages”. It bothers her that such ones are “upset with the political system”.
I said earlier that the membership of The World Economic Forum included political leaders from many countries. Would all members be fully committed to all of the radical changes that the The World Economic Forum is promoting? Not necessarily. Some leaders may just want to be informed about what their neighbouring countries may be adopting. Some may not be committed, some may be partially committed and then others leaders all-in, fully committed. What about Canada? How does the Liberal government of Justin Trudeau view the Great Reset?
My concern is that some Canadian Liberals appear to be enthusiastic for the World Economic Forum and/or its Great Reset. Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland, is a member of The World Economic Forum's Board of Trustees. Justin Trudeau, speaking at the World Economic Forum in 2018, said “Think about it: The pace of change has never been this fast, yet it will never be this slow again. There’s enormous opportunity, and enormous potential, in that realization.” He goes on to extol the role that technology has played in progress and also warns; “But it also brings dramatic shifts in our social, economic, and political cultures.” He says “We’re in a new age of doing business – you need to give back.” He also says “Now, I understand that the burden of change falls heavy, and you cannot be expected to solve all the ills of the world. But sitting back and hoping some other corporation – or some other country –volunteers to take the lead on this will get us nowhere. We have to drive this change. Each and every one of us.” (Justin Trudeau quotes taken from Justin Trudeau's Davos address in full. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/01/pm-keynote-remarks-for-world-economic-forum-2018/)
Trudeau is passionate for driving the change and on June 11, 2020 met with the then Prince of Wales and some other Permanent Representatives to the United Nations and spoke to them about the Great Reset initiative. At the “Victoria Forum 2020” the Governor of The Bank of Canada delivered a speech titled "The Great Reset" in which he warned that “COVID-19 is resulting in a "structural shock with broad impact worldwide" and that “...governments, investors in the corporate and financial sector—including central banks, and individuals households, need to evaluate risks and prepare for transitions.” (Beaudry, Paul (August 2020). The Great Reset: Supporting the transition to a greener, smarter economy (PDF). Victoria Forum 2020. Bank of Canada. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-11-26. Retrieved January 26, 2021.) In a 2020 speech that was a part of a United Nations video conference, Trudeau said that; “this pandemic has provided an opportunity for a reset,” and to “re-imagine economic systems,” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2fp0Jeyjvw)
Conservative Party leader MP Pierre Marcel Poilievre has pushed back against Trudeau's Great Reset. Poilievre has started a petition calling for the government to abandon Trudeau's plans for a Great Reset and apparently gathered 70,000 signatures in three days. This short petition simply says:
“Whereas Justin Trudeau told a United Nations conference: 'This pandemic has provided an OPPORTUNITY for a RESET. This is our CHANCE to accelerate our pre-pandemic efforts to REIMAGINE economic systems... .'
Whereas global financial elites have called for the same "Great Reset", which would reengineer economies and societies to empower the elites at the expense of the people;
Whereas Canadians must fight back against global elites preying on the fears and desperation of people to impose their power grab.
We the undersigned call on the government to:
End plans to impose the "Great Reset";
Focus instead on protecting the lives and livelihoods of hardworking people;
Protect our freedom.” This petition can be signed at https://www.withpierre.ca/stopthegreatreset
At the time of the printing of this article (September 2022) an NDP sponsored bill, Bill C-223 has gone through a first reading in the Canadian House Of Commons. It is “An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income” (https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/44-1/bill/C-223/first-reading)
The lure of free money and a utopia concept where the government provides your needs for you, so that you will have no worries, is appealing to many. However, the socialist regimes of history all promised their people a Utopia that their populations would supposedly love. From Russia, East Germany, Romania, China, Vietnam, Ethiopia and elsewhere the socialist Utopia turned out to be much less than what was promised. Their standards of living fell much lower than expectations. Socialist governments also brought in strict police-states that were ruthless in their treatment of their people. Once the system was set up the people of those nations could not change their minds. They could only endure the on-going suffering, which in some cases has lasted right down to these times that we are living in now.
What if once you own nothing and have no privacy you decide that you don't like it? What if in the end the promises of politicians fall short and deliver a much lower standard of living than what you had been led to believe? The World Economic Forum recommends that governments place conditions on who is eligible for the support. What if you don't like those conditions? What if those conditions increase over time? While you are pondering these questions globalist elites are advancing a plan. Reset everything, change everything, own everything (that is them, not us). The world is changing at an incredible pace. Do you want a great reset? There is a flood of technology coming and everything will greatly speed up. Some of us may escape, to a degree, by fleeing the cities, living remotely, and living independently. The architects of this new system are greatly concerned. Their chief concern is over those of us who don't want it.
So what can we do to resist the Great Reset? Is there anything that we should do to prepare for this clash of the world of the globalists with our own world? There are things that we can do to prevent the Great Reset and there are things that we can do to survive the Great Reset. To prevent the Great Reset, first of all, go to the highest authority. Pray that God would intervene and spoil all of the plans of our opponents. God hears the prayers of His people and many times is waiting for us to involve Him in our lives. He is powerful enough, and may stop the Great Reset, in answer to our prayers. Secondly, vote globalist liberals and NDP out of power and replace them with conservative-minded or right wing leaders. Check out the campaigns of politicians and you will find that there is much opposition to the Great Reset and to the World Economic Forum.Vote into power the kind of leaders who will protect the nation from the ambitions of globalist elites.
To survive the Great Reset, if it does occur, pursue a lifestyle that is as independent as possible from the government. Would you consider living rurally and/or remotely? Would you consider working online for your income, perhaps for an employer outside of this country.Would you even consider relocation outside of this country? Less dramatic action, and yet wise preparatory action, might include getting out of debt, living on less money than you make, learning new skills and becoming a prepper. All of these steps are investments into your own security.
If you are a Christian, remember the promise; "So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Hebrews 13:6 KJV) Believer you are the apple of God’s eye and He will make a way for us. Remember these words and this example for us; “Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.” (Psalm 22:4-5KJV) Let us trust Him again and not be confounded. God bless you as you look to Him, trust and stand!
Shawn Stevens
References:
https://www.weforum.org/about/world-economic-forum
https://www.caepla.org/what_would_a_world_without_property_rights_look_like
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Economic_Forum
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/covid-19-universal-basic-income-social-inequality/
Justin Trudeau quoted from Justin Trudeau's Davos address in full https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/01/pm-keynote-remarks-for-world-economic-forum-2018/
"Prime Minister Trudeau speaks with His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and the Commonwealth group of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations". Prime Minister of Canada. June 12, 2020.
Beaudry, Paul (August 2020). The Great Reset: Supporting the transition to a greener, smarter economy (PDF). Victoria Forum 2020.
Selley, Chris (November 24, 2020). "A 'great reset' requires a determined leader. Thankfully, Trudeau isn't it". National Post.
Proulx, Boris (November 21, 2020). "Une 'théorie du complot' s'invite dans les rangs conservateurs". Le Devoir. Archived from the original on November 21, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
“13 Ways to Avoid the Great Reset - As Long As Possible" Chad Kruzer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHAwhZ7TOU8&t=210s
“Great Reset- What do they think of people who will live in the country?” Chad Kruzer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omGd7NNzjBk
Scripture taken from the King James Version
A CANADIAN HERO PART ONE: PASTOR ARTUR PAWLOWSKI
Pastor Artur Pawlowski is a much loved and unfortunately, much opposed Polish-Canadian Christian minister. He pastors the Cave of Adullam Assembly in Calgary, Alberta and previously pastored the Kings Glory Fellowship. He is also the founder and pastor of Street Church Ministries, which has been involved in feeding the poor, open air preaching and social activism. He is much loved by the Christian community.
Pawlowski has boldly denounced government tyranny, Covid restrictions, government over-reach, systemic evil, government abuse, abortion, the homosexual lifestyle, police abuse and the stripping away of Canadian's rights and freedoms. He has received a backlash from the government and from the police forces which keep arresting him.
Pawlowski has received many awards and even honorary ordination for his international humanitarian work and ministry service. He was awarded “the Honorary Chaplain Position for the Province of Alberta,” “honorary ordination” from “the secretary general of United Christian Churches of Kenya's Supreme Council” (for humanitarian work) and the “Free Speech Award” from the Progressive Group for Independent Business.
Even though Pawlowski has been highly recognized for his service both in Canada and abroad, he has also been highly persecuted, here in Canada by the government and the legal system. Pawlowski has boldly denounced Canadian government lock-down measures and government over-reach. He has been ticketed for “failing to wear a mask and failing to have a permit for an anti-mask demonstration.”
He was arrested on charges of "organizing an illegal in-person gathering." Alberta Health Services requested the courts to assign jail time for Pawlowski. After a month of touring the United States, speaking at anti-lockdown events and speaking on U.S. media, he was arrested upon return at the Calgary Airport for allegedly disobeying a court order and for failing to wear a mask. He has been given a $23,000 fine, ordered to pay Alberta Health Services legal costs, estimated at $20,000 and ordered that whenever he speaks publicly criticizing COVID-19 measures, to announce that his views are contrary to public health experts and scientific consensus. This last court order is especially controversial. For a judge to command a citizen what he must say in his speeches is controversial to say the least. For a judge or government to order a person to say what that authority would like the content of their speech to be is shocking to see in a free country and may constitute an overstepping of authority. It has been appealed on the grounds that it is a violation of free speech.
Because it was such a controversial ruling, the Alberta Court of Appeal agreed to countermand the ruling until the case could be heard again. The judge in the ruling against Pawlowski was Justice Adam Germain, a failed Liberal candidate for public office who was appointed to the courts by former Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chretien.
Hyper-zealous Covid enforcement has resulted in Pastor Pawlowski being incarcerated three times. His last incarceration lasted 50 days. He was charged twice for contempt of court. He has endured enormous mistreatment, remains unbroken and is a true Canadian hero, respected for his courage and loved by thousands. Last time I checked his Solidarity Movement has 7008 members.
There has been a recent victory for Pawlowski in that The Alberta Court of Appeal has overturned his convictions for civil contempt and even paid him and his brother back $15,733.50 that they were previously made to pay to The Alberta Health Services. The Alberta Court of Appeal made a unanimous decision in Pawlowski’s favour.
According to Lifenews; “A Canadian appeals court ruled today that Pastor Artur Pawlowski was wrongfully arrested, jailed and fined for holding a church service in defiance of a ban on worship services put in place during the COVID pandemic lockdown.” https://www.lifenews.com/2022/07/22/court-rules-pastor-artur-pawlowski-wrongfully-jailed-for-defying-covid-lockdown-to-hold-church-service/) It further states; “But today, the Alberta Court of Appeal ruled that the injunction against him, his arrest, his jail time, the censorship order and fines against him were illegal.” (https://www.lifenews.com/2022/07/22/court-rules-pastor-artur-pawlowski-wrongfully-jailed-for-defying-covid-lockdown-to-hold-church-service/)
We celebrate with Pastor Pawlowski. He is a true Canadian hero.
Shawn Stevens
References
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/pawlowski-brothers-sentencing-covid-alberta-1.6174210
https://www.rebelnews.com/tags/fire_the_judge
'Slam Dunk Win' for Canadian Pastor Artur Pawlowski Who Was Repeatedly Jailed for Church Meetings https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/cwn/2022/july/slam-dunk-win-for-canadian-pastor-artur-pawlowski-who-was-repeatedly-jailed-over-covid-restrictions
Court Rules Pastor Artur Pawlowski Wrongfully Jailed for Defying COVID Lockdown to Hold Church Service
https://www.lifenews.com/2022/07/22/court-rules-pastor-artur-pawlowski-wrongfully-jailed-for-defying-covid-lockdown-to-hold-church-service/
A CANADIAN HERO TAMARA LICH
Tamara Lich is a musician and freedom activist from Alberta and was one of the three main organizers of the Freedom Convoy Protests in Ottawa in 2022. She is of Metis descent and is a wife, mother and grandmother. She is loved by Canadians nation-wide for her courageous stand for constitutional freedoms.
Speaking at a news conference on February 3, 2022, she called on the government of Canada to end the vaccination mandates. She made the following bold declaration: ““We are here out of a love for our families, our
communities and our nation. These past two years
the Covid mandates have divided us. This protest
began because of the federal government's
restrictions on trucker's freedoms. Our movement
has grown in Canada and around the world because common people are tired of the mandates and restrictions in their lives that now seem to be doing more harm than good. As of today Sweden,
Denmark, UK, Norway, Finland, Ireland and Switzerland have removed all Covid mandates and restrictions. We are therefore calling on all levels of government in Canada to end all Covid mandates and restrictions. We will continue our protest until we see a clear plan for their elimination.”
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=elEOtg8dNT0&t=48s)
What was the response from the government of Canada over her protesting? Lich was arrested on February 17, 2022. She was accused of counselling to commit mischief. Justice Julie Bourgeois, a liberal judge who at one time ran for a federal Liberal Party seat, refused her application for bail. Her denial for bail was protested and on March 7, 2022, was overturned, with conditions.
On June 17 2022, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms awarded The George Jonas Freedom Award to Lich for her freedom advocacy during the Canada convoy protest. On June 27, 2022, Lich was re-arrested in Alberta for allegedly breaching her bail conditions when she received the award. On July 8, Lich's bail application was denied, but on review, that decision was overturned by the Canadian courts on July 26th.
Assistant crown attorney Moiz Karimjee argued that Lich should be held in jail for accepting the George Jonas Freedom Award but the Ontario Supreme court justice Kevin Phillips ruled that Lich had not violated any of her bail conditions by accepting the award.
Yet this hearing was not enough. The crown continued prosecution. All in all Lich has been made to stand before five different judges. Lich has now spent an accumulated 48 days in custody at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre since her first arrest and this is more time than she would have served if she had been convicted and sentenced for a crime.
Fortunately, Ontario Superior Court Justice Andrew Goodman has now granted Lich bail and criticized her earlier detainment under a ruling by a Justice of the Peace as invalid.
He said; “Ms. Lich will be released from this court house today, ...” He further said; “I find the Justice of the Peace erred and misapprehended the evidence,” Goodman said, then stating that the detention order must be “set aside.” (https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/judge-sets-freedom-convoy-leader-tamara-lich-free-from-jail-declares-previous-ruling-invalid/)
Life Site News provides this summary of justice Goodman's decision; “Goodman stated that Lich, in his opinion, is a reasonable member of the community and that her release is not contrary to the justice system. He noted that Lich has not been charged with inciting a riot or sedation and that her offences are minor. He also added that while he agrees that the Freedom Convoy was a nuisance to some Ottawa residents, it is not up to the courts to try and control the political views of citizens.”
(https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/judge-sets-freedom-convoy-leader-tamara-lich-free-from-jail-declares-previous-ruling-invalid/)
Lich has been brought into the courtroom in shackles and chains, treatment usually reserved for dangerous criminals who pose a threat to members of the court. I find it hard to see any credible reason for this grandmother, who had not committed any violent crime, to be treated in this way. Tamara Lich is a peaceful protester who exercised her Charter of Canada freedoms of expression. She is loved nation-wide for her courageous stand.
Shawn Stevens
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamara_Lich
The Docket Summer 2022, Justice Centre For Constitutional Freedoms. Jccf.ca
(https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/judge-sets-freedom-convoy-leader-tamara-lich-free-from-jail-declares-previous-ruling-invalid/)
Raising Laying Hens for Pleasure and for Profit
Chickens are social and curious birds. You may even find they bring a peaceful addition to your day. They are relatively easy to care for. Here are some basics to help you care for your flock.
Before you get started on this new venture it is important to check the guidelines of your city or township regarding keeping chickens. Are you allowed to have chickens and, if so, how many?
What are you goals for having chickens?
If your goal is simply to have chickens that produce eggs for you and your families consumption, it will look different than if you are looking to make a profit from the eggs. On average chickens will lay 2 eggs every 3 days, however, this number decreases in the winter time because chickens need about 12 hours of sunlight to lay eggs. First I will lay out the basic needs of caring for chickens and later, give tips on selling eggs.
Set up:
Space needed: 2-3 feet per chicken inside the coop and 8-10 feet in an outside run. Also make sure that the coop is predator proof (raccoons, opossums, weasels and skunks)
Clean water: in the winter place a sealed bottle of 1 part salt to 3 parts water inside the water bucket to slow down freezing.
Feed: 1/4 pound per chicken per day is recommended with 16% protein. Don’t leave any feed out overnight as this attracts mice and rats.
Oyster shells: leave a dish full to provide calcium needed for laying eggs with a hard shell. Chickens will eat the oyster shells as they need them so there is no need to add it to their food. In fact, too much of the oyster shells is hard on chicken’s kidneys.
Limestone grit: leave a dish full that chickens can help themselves to as this helps chickens break down food in their digestive system.
Roosts for perching: during the day to rest on and at night to sleep on.
Treats: sunflower seeds, suet in a cage holder, fruit and veggie scraps (except citrus, potato peels and avocado).
Nest boxes: 1box per 3 chickens with pine shavings for straw inside for bedding.
dust bathing: is crucial way that chickens can relieve themselves of mites and ticks. Chickens will scratch in the dirt and throw it over their bodies like taking a bath. Options are: filling a tire, litter box or even a kiddy pool with a mix of dirt and sand.
Free ranging:
Although not always possible to free range your chickens, it is ideal for a number of reasons:
Keeps food costs down as chickens love to hunt for worms and bugs in the dirt
Decreases boredom and feather pecking
Egg yolks are darker in colour and often more flavourful
More space for dust bathing, etc.
Chicken Behaviour and Pecking Order
Chickens are social birds who like to be together but use a natural hierarchy system called a “pecking order” to maintain the status and role of each bird in the flock. In essence, this means the strongest or most intimidating chickens get to eat and drink first and choose their favourite nest box while the weaker or less dominant chickens wait their turn. This order is established naturally and early on in the chickens lives. Unless chickens are added or taken away the pecking order is likely to remain constant.
You may wonder what does the process of establishing a pecking order look like? When multiple chickens come to the feeder, water dish or nest box one chicken may give a couple of pecks to another chicken or chase another chicken away from that area. This is an assertion of dominance and means that the chicken who displayed the dominant behaviour is at the top of the pecking order. She has established that she will eat/drink first while the other waits. Another way chickens establish dominance is by facing each other, fluffing up head feathers and even flying at one another. This should only last for a few seconds, resulting in the weaker hen running away. As long as this behaviour doesn't continue for longer than a minute or so and there are no injuries you don't need to intervene or be concerned.
I recommend observing your chickens daily for any unusual behaviour or injuries. When you go in to feed/collect eggs take note of any aggressive behaviour of hens including excessive pecking of another hen. Chickens get bored and stressed if they don't have enough room or food or water. They may peck each other, pull out feathers and in extreme cases cause harm and even death. Chickens are attracted to the colour red which means that if a chicken sees blood on another chicken it will peck at her and, in extreme cases, cannibalism occurs.
If you find a hen with an injury I recommend separating it. Place the injured chicken in its own cage with food, water and a perch. This way you can apply antibiotic cream to the wound daily until it is healed and then release the hen back into the flock. It is important to keep the cage of the injured chicken inside the larger pen of the other chickens as there is a pecking order amongst chickens and, so long as the others can still see this one, that order will not change. However, if this chicken was separated to an entirely new area and then reintroduced the other chickens would reject it as a new chicken and it would be at the bottom of the pecking order and most likely, be picked on.
Ramona Stevens
Egg shells:
Blood spots: are normal and can happen due to some disturbance in the process of the egg production, for example, an extra large egg being laid.
Blood streak: this is not normal and indicates that this chicken may have a wound on her vent, likely caused by another chicken pecking her. This chicken should be separated and her wound treated with antibiotic cream till it heals before being released back with the other chickens.
Translucent egg shell: is caused by a lack of calcium in the chicken’s diet. Putting out a dish of oyster shells for the hens to freely peck at should prevent this from happening.
Cleaning eggs: wash under running water slightly warmer than the temperature of the egg as this keeps the pores closed, preventing bacteria from entering in.
Tips for making profit:
Brown eggs sell better than white: although there is no real difference between white and brown eggs, people seem to think that brown eggs are healthier. This may be due to the comparison of white and brown bread.
The breed of chicken makes a difference: I recommend the breed Bovan, as they are very consistent layers of brown eggs.
Average age to lay is at 20 weeks: I recommend buying chickens around this age (referred to as pullets) rather than buying day old chicks. The initial cost of buying pullets is much less than the cost of raising a chick. In addition, you will be able to start selling your eggs within weeks, rather than months, of purchasing your chickens.
Egg production decreases by about half after chickens reach the age of 11/2- 2 years: So depending on the number of regular customers you have, you may want to consider selling your chickens at this time and purchasing new ones. Also, keep in mind that egg production naturally decreases in winter because the days are shorter and chickens need about 12 hours of sunlight for laying.
Have two separate coops to shorten your customers lag time : 1 coop for your chickens who are laying and the other coop for your new pullets who have not started to lay yet. Keeping a constant rotation will shorten the lag time for your customers.
Summary
Chickens can be a great addition to your backyard. They are fun to watch, they put themselves to bed and they provide you with breakfast. In my experience, once people try fresh farm eggs vs store bought eggs they are hooked and your in business. So whether you choose to have a few chickens for pleasure or a large flock of chickens to produce a profit, I hope you find that you enjoy it and your chickens are happy and healthy.
Ramona Stevens
References:
https://www.dummies.com/home-garden/hobby-farming/raising-chickens/how-to-determine-your-flock-size-and-space-requirements/
https://www.almanac.com/news/home-health/chickens/raising-chickens-101-how-get-started
https://livinghomegrown.com/day-24-biggest-concerns-about-raising-backyard-chickens/
https://store.alltech.com/blogs/poultry/20-common-egg-shell-quality-problems-and-causes
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/a-guide-to-understanding-the-chicken-pecking-order.64752/
https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/7-surprising-rules-for-feeding-chickens/