Keeping Poultry Day
Course Tutor
Sally Morgan
Sally has kept poultry for 20 years so she has a wealth of experience to share. She has written articles on keeping poultry for various smallholder magazines. She is currently writing a book on poultry keeping which will be published in 2012.
What you will learn
A typical day starts with a theory session, followed by a tour of the poultry pens and an introduction to the different breeds that we keep at The Empire Farm. We have deliberately stocked a variety of different breeds of both laying and meat chickens, ducks and geese as well as a few turkeys, so we can discuss the pros and cons of each. We have also set up a variety of pens, from small self-contained ones that would suit a garden, to larger sheds with netted runs suitable for small commercial use. Sally is very keen on enhancing poultry health by the use of natural products and she will discuss some of the products that are available.
Topics cover all aspects of poultry keeping, including:
- breeds of chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys, and the characteristics, pros and cons of each
- where to buy poultry, what to look for when choosing your birds, buying ex-bats
- raising chickens, ducklings and goslings for meat or eggs
- housing - pros and cons of different housing styles, large or small, cheap or expensive, plastic or wood etc
- Pens and paddocks, how much space do you need, fencing or netting, pasture management and the importance of rotation
- feeding
- welfare issues incl stocking density, space in houses, coping with severe winter weather
- disease and how to control it, especially the dreaded red mite and intestinal worms, both using medicated and natural products
- predator and vermin control
- legal aspects
- breeding
- the pros and cons of incubators and broody hens
- organic poultry keeping
- slaughtering, plucking and preparation of the carcass
During the afternoon, we will demonstrate chicken slaughter and plucking, and then everyone can have a go at eviscerating a chicken to take home and eat.
If you are already an experienced chicken keeper but would like to learn about the slaughter and preparation of table birds, you can come along for just the afternoon session. If you don’t want to learn about slaughter and dressing chickens, you can come for just the morning. Cost for a half day course is £40.
Below is a youtube video made by the Soil Association in 2011, showing Sally and the participants of a recent course.
Administration
Group sizes are kept small, so that there is plenty of opportunity to discuss specific topics of interest. Much of this course takes place outside so warm weatherproof clothing and wellington boots are needed, plus a change of shoes. We will be handling birds that can be a bit mucky! Everybody gets to take away a set of notes and some fresh eggs and the chicken that they have prepared.
The price includes all tuition, course notes, light lunch and refreshments during the day.
Gift Vouchers
You can give a place on this course as a gift or reward. You will be asked for details of the recipient when you add the item to your basket.
We also offer flexible Gift Vouchers for any course.
Discounts
We offer a £10 discount for the second and subsequent person booked the same time. Simply enter the Coupon Code “Second” in your shopping cart when you clicked the Add to Cart Button below to book your second (and subsequent) place.
Saturday 17 March £75
full – just two places on the morning session
Saturday 17 March
Morning only £40
Saturday 17 March
afternoon only £40
full
All prices include VAT @ 20%
| Course Tutor
Sally Morgan Sally has kept poultry for 20 years so she has a wealth of experience to share. She has written articles on keeping poultry for various smallholder magazines. She is currently writing a book on poultry keeping which will be published in 2012. What you will learn A typical day starts with a theory session, followed by a tour of the poultry pens and an introduction to the different breeds that we keep at The Empire Farm. We have deliberately stocked a variety of different breeds of both laying and meat chickens, ducks and geese as well as a few turkeys, so we can discuss the pros and cons of each. We have also set up a variety of pens, from small self-contained ones that would suit a garden, to larger sheds with netted runs suitable for small commercial use. Sally is very keen on enhancing poultry health by the use of natural products and she will discuss some of the products that are available. |
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Topics cover all aspects of poultry keeping, including:
- breeds of chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys, and the characteristics, pros and cons of each
- where to buy poultry, what to look for when choosing your birds, buying ex-bats
- raising chickens, ducklings and goslings for meat or eggs
- housing - pros and cons of different housing styles, large or small, cheap or expensive, plastic or wood etc
- Pens and paddocks, how much space do you need, fencing or netting, pasture management and the importance of rotation
- feeding
- welfare issues incl stocking density, space in houses, coping with severe winter weather
- disease and how to control it, especially the dreaded red mite and intestinal worms, both using medicated and natural products
- predator and vermin control
- legal aspects
- breeding
- the pros and cons of incubators and broody hens
- organic poultry keeping
- slaughtering, plucking and preparation of the carcass
During the afternoon, we will demonstrate chicken slaughter and plucking, and then everyone can have a go at eviscerating a chicken to take home and eat.
If you are already an experienced chicken keeper but would like to learn about the slaughter and preparation of table birds, you can come along for just the afternoon session. If you don’t want to learn about slaughter and dressing chickens, you can come for just the morning. Cost for a half day course is £40.
Below is a youtube video made by the Soil Association in 2011, showing Sally and the participants of a recent course.
Administration
Group sizes are kept small, so that there is plenty of opportunity to discuss specific topics of interest. Much of this course takes place outside so warm weatherproof clothing and wellington boots are needed, plus a change of shoes. We will be handling birds that can be a bit mucky! Everybody gets to take away a set of notes and some fresh eggs and the chicken that they have prepared.
The price includes all tuition, course notes, light lunch and refreshments during the day.
Gift Vouchers
You can give a place on this course as a gift or reward. You will be asked for details of the recipient when you add the item to your basket.
We also offer flexible Gift Vouchers for any course.
Discounts
We offer a £10 discount for the second and subsequent person booked the same time. Simply enter the Coupon Code “Second” in your shopping cart when you clicked the Add to Cart Button below to book your second (and subsequent) place.
| Saturday 17 March £75 |
full – just two places on the morning session |
| Saturday 17 March
Morning only £40 |
|
| Saturday 17 March
afternoon only £40 |
full |
All prices include VAT @ 20%