In-person course
in Catsfield, Battle Maker & location details

Beginning your chicken keeping course

Foraging for greens

Garden hens

A little ranger

A flock for the family

Feeding your hens

Chickens enjoying a dust bath

Hardwood chip flooring

Housing your hens

How to hold a chicken

Collecting your own eggs

How to handle a chicken

Description

A 3 hour morning course discussing chicken keeping. Learn about the pleasures and perils of keeping hens in your garden, their suitability as pets and the joys of having your own fresh free-range eggs. What you need to know if you are just setting up. A follow-on course is held in the afternoon, covering caring for and handling your chickens. Course Programme: 3 hours, 9.30am - 12.30pm Course Tutor: Jason Weller Jason is the co-owner of Mantel Farm and our expert in chicken care, he has written many articles for our website and for the home farmer magazine and talks at shows and events, sharing his experience and stories along with his expertise. He also makes our chicken enclosures, designing and installing runs in customers' gardens, coming up with a layout that will work well in each and every garden or smallholding. What To Expect: An informal morning spent with others interested in chicken keeping. Our courses are limited to small groups and you will gain a wealth of information from a highly experienced chicken keeper. There is also a chance to see a sample of the different housing, hens and equipment available, and you will receive a useful pack of course notes to take away.

What's included in the price?

Course programme: 1. All About Chickens An introduction, background and characteristics 2. Getting Started - Choosing Your Chickens A hen or cockerel, breeds of chicken, size, looks and eggs 3. Getting Started - Your Set Up Housing and equipment, run space, flooring and bedding 4. Caring For Your Hens Feed, routine care, daily feed requirements and treats Refreshments will be provided, including tea, coffee and cake. Parking is available at the entrance to our farm and our training room is just a short walk down our track. You can also book on our afternoon "caring for your chickens" course. What To Bring: Just bring yourself, confirmation of your booking, a notebook and any questions you may have.