Course will teach chicken-keeping skills

Selecting an appropriate breed is part of the course - these are Light Sussex

THE POPULARITY of keeping a few chickens seems to be on the increase, as more people recognise that this can be an easy and economic hobby that actually brings dividends in the form of fresh eggs. Getting started, however, can be a little daunting.

Local animal care tutors Jackie Loftus and Paul Martin hope to make the transition to becoming a chicken-keeper a lot easier, by running courses teaching people how to keep birds in their own back yard. The next course will be held at Floralands Garden Centre, Lambley, on 10 June 2011.

Paul told us: “Keeping hens is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I started with just a couple of hens, and now teach people how to look after them so that they too can enjoy freshly laid healthy eggs”. He adds that keeping a few birds is a popular next step from growing your own fruit and vegetables.

In these challenging economic times, chicken keeping can certainly make sense. A single good hen can lay 220 or more eggs per year, at a cost of as little as 8p each.  

The course, which lasts three hours and costs £30, will teach you how to pick a suitable breed and care for it so that it will be happy, healthy, and produce good quality eggs. By the end of the day, the tutors say you will be fully prepared to start your own back garden chicken coop.

Jackie added: “Along with healthy food production, hens can be very friendly and interesting to keep. They all have individual personalities and will keep you, your children and friends entertained for hours”.  

Jackie can be contacted at Access Training on 0115 9587257 or email Jackie.Loftus@atem.co.uk to find out more details.

Keeping a few chickens can be fun, and provides cheap high quality food