one-day course keeping chickens

venue: Martineau Gardens, Birmingham

Always thought about keeping chickens but thought it was too much work or you didn't have enough space? Then think again. Tutor Christopher Gough runs Blackhills Bantams, and is an experienced poultry-keeper.

This introductory session will cover all the basic elements you need to know about keeping chickens on a small scale basis, whether on a smallholding or in your own back yard. It incorperates both theoretical and practicle sessions designed to give first-hand experience & knowlwedge. There will also be a range of useful books on the subject as well as items for the chicken keeper to purchase at the end of the session.

The course includes:

• the role of chickens in the renewed age of self-sufficient food production at home
• basics of chicken keeping
• choosing the right breed for you, where to buy from and what to look for
• indoor or outdoor rearing
• types of chicken housing, placement and design
• predators and vermin control. How to safeguard your brood
• nutrition, what your girls need for a healthy living & egg production & what you can contribute yourselves.
• chicken behaviour, health and welfare and what the Farm Animal Welfare Council have to say. How to recognise, treat and avoid common ailments & problems such as worms, mites, scaley leg, sour crop, pecking and the broody hens
• meet the chicken. How does she work? Basic anatomy, how eggs are made, hands-on experience & handling, examination & wing, beak and claw trimming.
• Q&A session

dates: see 'book online' below

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