An Afternoon Course

A practical and theory session. The more you handle your chickens the more friendly they become. Some people plan to spend a lot of time with their hens and others simply like to know how to handle them should it become necessary. This course is aimed at all chicken keepers wishing to feel confident that they can carry out a basic health check, caring for and handling their hens in the correct way.

A beginners course is also held in the morning, introducing chicken keeping. 

Course Programme:
3 hours, 1.30pm - 4.30pm

What To Expect:

1. Possible Perils of Poultry Keeping
A classroom session discussing detailed info regarding the most common pests and diseases and how to identify, protect and treat your birds in the most practical way.  Also covering the most likely chicken predators focusing on keeping your flock safe from the fox - the number one enemy.

2. Handling your hens
A practical session demonstrating how to catch a chicken, hold and inspect for fleas and lice, clipping wings, claws and beaks and handling techniques for other treatments.

3. Questions and Answers
A general session over tea and coffee to cover individual and specific issues.

Why not also book on our morning basics of chicken keeping ?

An informal afternoon 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.

Refreshments will be provided, including tea, coffee and homemade cake.

Parking is available at the entrance to our farm and our training room is just a short walk down our track.

What To Bring:

Just bring yourself, confirmation of your booking, a notebook and any questions you may have.

If you are also attending the morning course, please bring a packed lunch.

Course Tutor:
Jason Weller

Jason is the co-owner and runs Mantel Farm with Kerry. When Jason is on the farm he can usually be found either caring for the animals or carrying out his latest building project. As well as becoming our expert in chicken care, writing regular articles for the home farmer magazine and holding training courses, 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.