Chickens in school

[simeon morris]

Hi am after some advice about keeping chickens in a school environment regarding health and safety. Are there any teachers out there who have set up a chicken run etc. Holidays are covered by daily visit from our caretaker.

Thanks Simeon

[RichmondHens]

Have no idea as to the health and safety rules. I'm sure someone else on here may know though. Other considerations that need to be taken into account though are space - is there enough? Storage for bedding, feed and other bits and pieces - feed needs to be in rat proof container. Where will you put the muck when you clean them out (chickens poo a lot)? It sounds like you have the holiday cover sorted although twice a day visits are better than one. Feed should not be left down overnight as it will encourage rats, so you really need someone to let out and feed/water in the morning and shut up and take feed up at night. In the summer holidays when there may be some really hot days, checks to make sure there is plenty of water is vital.

Hope this helps a little.

[RedThorn]

I cannot think of any H&S reasons not to keep girls, however, it would be prudent to have signs up about not touching/ picking up or feeding the hens unless supervised.

You'll be surprised at the amount of water they drink in the height of summer. Also as the likelihood is they cannot free range or be let out, the run needs to large.

If bought from a reputable dealer, they should have had all their inoculations and will need worming regularly.

sorry I could not give a definite answer, but good luck

Welcome to the vine by the way

[chicken_house_man]

We we had them at school no one asked for health and safety info for the chickens (neither did anyone ask about the tools we were using)

It just needs to be common-sense really. Wash you hands - maybe an alcohol hand cleaner to hand.

[di]

I think the main things have been covered...ie common sense hygiene.You'd probably need clearly written signs by the run reminding pupils to wash their hands after handling them.
Also any products like mite/louse powder,wormers cleaning products would need to be kept locked up.Oh and a record kept of when they were wormed and treated for mites etc.

The other consideration I think you'd need to consider is what you'd do if there was an outbreak...or even just scare...of Bird Flu.Would you suddenly get lots of neurotic parents demanding they were gone???...even if the outbreak was several counties away

Also,don't forget the welfare of the chooks.Will they be housed somewhere a bit away from where the children play?Although ours are used to some fairly loud playing from the kiddies if they want to be playing extra rough and shouting they know to do it away from the chooks...playgrounds can get pretty manic at times.

[Maddie106]

Hi am after some advice about keeping chickens in a school environment regarding health and safety. Are there any teachers out there who have set up a chicken run etc. Holidays are covered by daily visit from our caretaker.

Thanks Simeon

Many years ago, when I taught rural science, we kept chickens at school!
Times have changed, so you WILL now need to do a formal risk-assesment and fill out the paperwork.

As far as I can see, the biggest risk is possible infection from children touching chickens/ eggs. (Assuming that staff will do the mucky jobs of mucking out ?)
How old are the kids?? I get the impression that they are primary school?

Firstly, buy the pulletts from a beeder who vaccinates them. They will cost about £12/15 each.
Secondly, write into your risk assessment that children wash their hands under supervision after having contact with the birds.
Thirdly, do NOT get a cockerill! Your girls will give you eggs without one.
We had a really nasty boy when I kept chooks at school who regularly attacked kids ( and they were 13 to 16 year olds)

I think it's a brilliant idea to keep chickens at school. I now have 3 hens in my back garden and my 2 year old grandaughter loves to collect eggs and feed them.

You will need to invest in a chicken house and ENCLOSED run, with a lid on it, to make sure that foxes don't get your hens. This would work well for your caretaker, particularly in the holidays.( I get a local lady to come in once a day to do food and water when I'm away on holiday. Because the run in totally enclosed with a roof, I don't have to worry about shutting up the pop hole at night.)
In term time, the hens could range further onto school land, but be put away in their enclosed run before the end of the school day?


I'm more than happy to give any more advice if you need it.....PM me

[Maddie106]

Hi am after some advice about keeping chickens in a school environment regarding health and safety. Are there any teachers out there who have set up a chicken run etc. Holidays are covered by daily visit from our caretaker.

Thanks Simeon

Simeon,

Whilst having 27 years of teaching, I have to confess to having my wrist slapped about a risk-assessment form that I once completed!
I got totally and utterly p*ss*d off with the many sheets of paperwork involved in taking 4 girls about 6 miles in my car to the finals of a science competion.
In a fit of pique, I listed "Alien Abduction" as a risk and for the steps to be taken as "Bloody big ones"!
Neither the head teacher nor the governors were amused!!!

[MaureenHall]

Simeon,


In a fit of pique, I listed "Alien Abduction" as a risk and for the steps to be taken as "Bloody big ones"!
Neither the head teacher nor the governors were amused!!!

Love it

[simeon morris]

Thanks all for your wisedom. The head is making further investigations with a school that is close to us. The coop we are thinking of purchasing is an omlet one. It is plastic with a shade. Will keep you all updated with progress. Thanks once again Simeon

[SueDuma]

Hi Simeon, our local primary school, Burnt Ash, Rangefield Road, Bromley, Kent BR1 has got about 6 chickens, they may be able to help you.I know they have an Omlet cube in a fenced off area. We have just got our 4 Pols this week from Omlet, nice big easy to clean hutch and lovely hens. I'm trying to get used to the idea that my garden isn't mine anymore ! They have a nice foxproof run, especially made, but its lovely to see them free-ranging, good luck with your enquiry.