Getting Started: Choosing a breed and type of chicken. From tiny bantams to Jersey Giants, there's a breed out there for you! We have a range of chickens here on the smallholding, and we'll introduce you to our various flocks and their characteristics.

Housing and Enclosures: Suitable, predator proof housing for chickens. Wooden or plastic? Outdoor runs and free range systems. Preparing for avian flu lockdown, without compromising your birds' welfare.

Feeding Chickens: Balanced, nutritious diets for different life stages - from chicks to layers. Grit - types and purposes. Suitable treats and extras. Plants to grow to feed your chickens. Things they should not eat!

Chicken Health: A focus on preventing problems by ensuring good hygiene and management.

• Red mites - prevention, treatment and control.

• Worms - options for worm control in your flock

• How to recognise and deal with common problems such as lice, bumblefoot, mycoplasma, impacted crop, egg binding etc.

• What to treat at home, and when to visit the vet

• Finding a vet who happily treats chickens

  
  

Breeding & Hatching: Setting up your own breeding flock. Hatching eggs - caring for a broody hen or using an incubator.

Brooder setup for successful chick rearing, avoiding common problems in young chicks.

Selling Eggs: The rules surrounding farm gate egg sales.

Meat Chickens: A brief look at rearing chickens for meat - either using cockerels from a mixed flock, or rearing specific meat breeds. (this section is optional - if its not for you, you are welcome to take a walk around our other animals during this part)

Other Poultry: Turkeys, ducks & geese - similarities and differences to keeping chickens. Learning which mix well and which do not.

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What else is Included?

A homecooked lunch, including some of the delicious produce straight from our smallholding.   There will also be plenty of tea/coffee and

home baking.

All courses include a comprehensive book, covering all of the information taught during the day.

Courses are held in small groups (max 10 people on this course), and are relaxed, friendly events. Questions and discussion are encouraged!

Many people stay in touch following the course, and we are very happy to answer any further questions you might have after the day.

All of our courses are taught by qualified, practising veterinary surgeons (Catriona & Jonathan). Read more about us here

Please note that there is a minimum age of 16 for all courses.