4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Egluntyne]

Re **this thread**

 

Have contacted Alison from http://www.chickenkeeper.co.uk and she is willing to come up north (Sheffield) to run a course if I can get enough people and a venue organised.

 

It would cost a tiny bit more per person, to cover her petrol costs etc, but would be much cheaper than the train fare or tank of petrol down to Hook!

 

Anyone interested? Date etc tba

[laurmurf]

I've been mulling over this for a while now - wouldn't want to take on this type of task without guidance, so would be glad of expert advice.

 

Put my name down!

[Egluntyne]

Will do.

 

That's two of us!

[moochoo]

It's easier to get to Sheffield than to Hook. Both myself and OH are interested.

Good idea!

[Guest]

Ian and I would be interested, all depends on dates as he works shifts so I wouldn't be able to confirm until we know the date and time.

[redhotchick]

I'd be interested, I'm limited to weekends, let me know if this can be arranged.

[Egluntyne]

Looking promising!! Can you all pm me dates that you can't do? That might be the easiest thing.

 

Ta muchly.

 

I also thought it might be better to wait till say April, because of weather considerations.

[Lesley]

We're already booked onto the April 5 one in Hook - otherwise we'd have come up to you, probably little difference in the travelling!

[mostin]

I'll mull this over but I think I might be up for this. I am coming to the conclusion that the only way to know how my food has been treated is to grow it myself.

 

How much will it be? and when is it likely to be?

[Egluntyne]

Alison ( a DEFRA accredited slaughter-person) charges £40 per head to attend the course in Hook. She will be asking a bit more, to be decided, to travel and bring all the gear.

 

Not sure about rental for the venue I have in mind yet.

 

My train fair would be £70 odd, and a tank of petrol or 2 would be similar.

 

Plus, you get dressed and boned bird, and one you have killed yourself, ready to pluck and dress at home, to reinforce what you have learned.

 

Many of these courses charge £100 plus. I'm sure we can do it for a lot less than that.

 

Still at the negotiation stage, so can't give a definite answer just yet.

[Guest]

Ian only gets told what his shifts are a month in advance and they cover a 7 day period so I can let you know nearer the time. If he's working he could always try and do a swap or get a holiday.

 

Sorry I can't be more specific but if you can give me a date he could always book a holiday in advance.

[Guest]

if anyone who lives near us, Warrington for example, wants a lift we can fit another 2 people in the car and we could share petrol?

[Egluntyne]

Ian only gets told what his shifts are a month in advance and they cover a 7 day period so I can let you know nearer the time. If he's working he could always try and do a swap or get a holiday.

 

Sorry I can't be more specific but if you can give me a date he could always book a holiday in advance.

 

 

Will try. As I say...we are still at the early stages of negotiation, so it won't be for a while. There should be plenty of notice.

[moochoo]

I too could offer transport for up to 2 people from Birmingham in order to split the cost of travel.

[laurmurf]

I can fit 6 more in my car from York or points nearby, not that Sheffield is that far away for us.

 

I'm with you, Mostin, it feels like a 'responsible' thing to do, doesn't it? Even if part of me would rather pretend that the chooks I look after so lovingly in my garden are in no way related to the plastic wrapped lumps sold in Tesco; i can't really do that or I would be disrespectful to the no doubt lovely chook that led to the sunday roast.

 

I'll pm you a range of dates, Egluntine, from mid-March to mid-May that i CAN'T do; if that helps get things rolling

[Egluntyne]

Thanks.

[mostin]

Because of hubby just starting a new business I don't know what situation we are going to be in money wise, so I don't want to have any say in the dates you decide when I don't even know if I'll be able to afford.

 

But nearer the time if you've all decided on a date i can do, and I have some spare pennies, I'll be up for it .

[Redwing]

It's easier to get to Sheffield than to Hook. Both myself and OH are interested.

Good idea!

 

I am up for this Egluntine. My OH has been keen to keep meat chickens for a while but I would need to be the one to do the deed (he is too chicken! )

 

Moochoo - you are only about an hour from me, I could pick you up? fuel is included with my company car so would not cost us anything to travel! my car fits four (two short ones in the back!) if anyone else between Northants/Oxon/Brum/Sheffield needs transport

[redhotchick]

I can't do April at all. Not trying to be awkward - it comes naturally!

May could be difficult too. March might be best for me.

How many people would you need for it to be viable?

[Egluntyne]

How many people would you need for it to be viable?

Not sure yey. Am waiting to hear back.

[moochoo]

Hi Redwing, We'd be delighted to take you up on your travel offer. Many thanks.

[Redwing]

No problems, fingers crossed we get enough people

[Egluntyne]

Making progress!

 

Am viewing a venue tomorrow and reporting back to Alison.

 

Costs looking as if they will be around £45 per person. To be confirmed.

 

Keep checking!

[Redwing]

Good news! do we have enough people?

[Egluntyne]

I think so, because Alison has had heaps of enquiries about doing courses further afield than her home venue, so will probably run 2 courses on the same day, with people other than Omleteers attending.

 

The venue I have viewed is perfect and we are just in the process of confirming a date as Alison is in great demand.

 

If it is a success, I dare say there will be other opportunities for courses Oop North if the date Alison is available is not convenient for some of the Omleteers.

 

More info to follow.

 

I'm giddy with excitement!