Pigs and Poultry Day
Course Tutor
Sally Morgan
What you will learn
This day covers the keeping of both pigs and poultry, with half a day devoted to each animal. You can attend the full day, or just come for the morning or afternoon session, if you are only interested in one aspect.
The morning session covers poultry. We start 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, so we will 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. Topics cover all aspects of poultry keeping, such as breeds of chickens, ducks and geese, and the characteristics, pros and cons of each, housing and paddocks, rotations, feeding, welfare issues, disease, predator control, buying stock, breeding, the pros and cons of incubators and broody hens, organic poultry keeping.
Pigs are covered in the afternoon session. The Empire Farm has a small herd of Gloucester Oldspots, Saddlebacks and Kune Kune pigs. The course looks at all aspects of small scale pig keeping from choosing the right breed, raising pigs through to slaughter and dealing with the meat. Subjects covered include the different breeds, where to buy weaners, the amount of space that is needed, the type of housing, diet, disease, transport and the regulations. We will briefly look at topics such as finding an abattoir, butchering the meat.
These two sessions are cut down versions of our full Pig and Poultry Days. This course is ideal for people who do not keep these animals already or have just started out. If you want more detail, for example to learn about slaughter, sausage-making, or have more time for discussion, then we recommend that you come of one of our full day courses.
Administration
The numbers on this courses are limited to approx. 12 -14 people 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.
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.
Grant-Aided Funding
If you live in the West Country (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire or Wiltshire) and have a holding number or work in agriculture you may be able to claim a 50% grant towards the cost of this course. If so, please do not book online but email the office for more details.
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.
dates tba
Not yet bookable
| Course Tutor
Sally Morgan What you will learn This day covers the keeping of both pigs and poultry, with half a day devoted to each animal. You can attend the full day, or just come for the morning or afternoon session, if you are only interested in one aspect. The morning session covers poultry. We start 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, so we will 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. Topics cover all aspects of poultry keeping, such as breeds of chickens, ducks and geese, and the characteristics, pros and cons of each, housing and paddocks, rotations, feeding, welfare issues, disease, predator control, buying stock, breeding, the pros and cons of incubators and broody hens, organic poultry keeping. |
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Pigs are covered in the afternoon session. The Empire Farm has a small herd of Gloucester Oldspots, Saddlebacks and Kune Kune pigs. The course looks at all aspects of small scale pig keeping from choosing the right breed, raising pigs through to slaughter and dealing with the meat. Subjects covered include the different breeds, where to buy weaners, the amount of space that is needed, the type of housing, diet, disease, transport and the regulations. We will briefly look at topics such as finding an abattoir, butchering the meat.
These two sessions are cut down versions of our full Pig and Poultry Days. This course is ideal for people who do not keep these animals already or have just started out. If you want more detail, for example to learn about slaughter, sausage-making, or have more time for discussion, then we recommend that you come of one of our full day courses.
Administration
The numbers on this courses are limited to approx. 12 -14 people 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.
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.
Grant-Aided Funding
If you live in the West Country (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire or Wiltshire) and have a holding number or work in agriculture you may be able to claim a 50% grant towards the cost of this course. If so, please do not book online but email the office for more details.
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.
| dates tba | Not yet bookable |