Hen School

[HayleyB]

Well, tomorrow's the day I'm off to hen school....

Yeah, I hear you "snigger, snigger".....

But never having had them before I want to have experienced what I do when and how, I want to do the best for my girls when I get them. It's being held near Ipswich by one of the BHWT co-ordinators for Essex and I can't wait.

I've been reading threads with much envy and am now dreaming of chooks, my OH says it looks like I'm into some wierd form of chook porn cause I kept looking at pics of different breeds on the internet whilst you were all discussing what breed is best so's I'd know what you're all talking about.

I'm becoming obsessed

My friends came to dinner last night and gave me their chook crate that holds 12 chooks for when I pick up the ex bats, but it's gonna be December before I'm far enough up the list. Guess what we talked about at dinner

What is it with chooks?

[chicken slave]

I can't tell you why they are soooooooooo addictive. But good on you for going back to school!!!!
I was brought up with animals and it all seems to have come flooding back, but I've never hatched chicks before myself, ours (when I was younger) always appeared from under mum. So we all have to learn new things.
Good luck, and December isn't that far away really:-)

[Bephlam]

My name is Bobbie and I'm addicted to chickens!!

I'm not ashamed to admit it - they are wonderful little additions to any family. I love my girls with a passion, and can't imagine life without them. They are so comical...pure entertainment on legs! Who needs Sky + when you have your little feathered friends!!

I have a friend who went on one of these chook keeping courses - she really enjoyed it. Although, the art of chook keeping really is easier than you might imagine...I truly believe it's as difficult/easy as we choose to make it! I'm sure you'll enjoy your day...it can't be a bad thing! Plus, you'll get some hands on with the girls. Your daily chicken hit!!

Enjoy yourself, and be sure to let us know how you got on!

Ps: I still hate winter!!

[MaureenHall]

I'm addicted to chooks too!! I have to keep telling myself that I can't build the new chook house until the greenhouse is up and finished!! I'm wanting to get started but every time I think I've got a spare hour or so, something else crops up or it's bucketing it down with rain
I hate winter too with a passion!!

[Hashette]

I'd love to learn more!

There's a talk at 2pm on Sunday 2nd November at Thornes Garden Nursery in Letchworth if anyone can get there. It's only an hour, but it's better for me than nothing apart from reading books (as well as the tons of really useful advice I've had from this forum, thanks everyone). If there are any more in-depth courses available I'd love to know more, so that my poor girls don't have to learn by my mistakes. If anyone can recommend any please let me know.

[di]

Really a bit late in asking now,,but where is your chook talk?I'd be really interested in something for the kiddies.Although I'm sure the chooks would have protested by now if they didn't like the way the children handle them(as opposed to following them around like lost chooks!),but it would be good to be reassured & maybe for the children to be shown the correct ways to handle them.

[Bephlam]

I wouldn't worry about the way the kids handle them. I'm a great believer that the chooks will tell you/them when they're not happy. The only thing I read re: kids and chooks is to ensure the kids don't squeeze them like a cat or dog, as they don't like that!!

[Noodle]

Well done for going on a course, I think it's a good idea if it makes you more confident and that way you will enjoy them more when they arrive! Where are you getting your ex-batts from?

[Pumpkin Becki]

I went on a one day course given by Francine Raymond (my hero). It was brilliant, really informative. That was back in May 07 - Chooks arrive Mar 09 - think I'll be ready?

[Noodle]

I went on a one day course given by Francine Raymond (my hero). It was brilliant, really informative. That was back in May 07 - Chooks arrive Mar 09 - think I'll be ready?

Just about

[Bephlam]

Oh I don't know - you may need a refresher course!!

[HayleyB]

It was a great day, lovely home-made lunch as well - yum yum. Went through all the aspects of looking after, feeding, characters, brooding, breeds, diseases. Clipped some wings. I know I'll be ok now, can't wait. The day cost £40 includes donation to BHWT. Run by one of the co-ordinators Lesley Austin (a Veterinary Nurse & chook breeder), Near Needham Market (nr Stowmarket).
Hen School - Hen Keeping Courses

Got loads of promotional material giving me ideas of what's needed for the stable spent all last night reading through it all.

I'll be getting the ex-bats from Essex branch of BHWT. Once I've got them and they are settled I might get some Brahmas and Wyandottes at a later date.

[Pumpkin Becki]

Glad you enjoyed it! Now your just need the chooks like me!!

[HayleyB]

You bet, I'm pining I want some desperately, once I've got the darling batts, which hopefully will be early December, I'll go hunting for some additions next year.

I even bought the survival first Aid pack that Lesley sells at the school as it seemed such good value and means I have gone one step further towards having my own girlies.

I want to get the batts first so they are settled before getting some posh birds, the other way around would not be good I'm sure, as the batts might feel inferior and I rather they didn't.

[Nicos]

Normally I too would have gone to chook school before taking on my gals, but that's because other than here on the Vine, I wouldn't know who to ask for advice in the UK.
Here though- everyone's got chooks so there are loads of peeps to ask for advice..but it's not all the same!