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

[GreenhillChickens]

Hello!

I am brand new to Omlet and in the initial stages of considering keeping chickens at our primary school. I wondered whether anybody is already doing this and could talk me through it?

I can think of several challenges, but they are probably the obvious ones, and I am sure that there are some hidden problems waiting to get me!

 

I am also interested in the eggs the chickens produce. Does anyone know of breeds of hen that would be happy at a primary school, but who produce distinctive eggs that can easily be identified to their matching chicken? Part of the reason we would like to have chickens in school is that they would give us all kinds of opportunities in science. It would really help if we could easily identify which chicken produced which egg.

Thanks for your help!

[The Dogmother]

Welcome to the forum

 

There are a few people who keep chooks at their school, in fact if you go to the home page of the omlet site, there's a schools section

 

Perhaps your first step might be to ring Omlet and see what advice they have for you as I know that they are keen to bring chicken keepig into schools.

 

Good luck, and we'd love to hear how you get on.

[Lewis]

As you said, it could be quite good to get different breeds and get different coloured eggs.

 

Cream Crested Legbars lay eggs.

White Stars lay

and Black Stars lay eggs.

There are many more, but those 3 spring to mind.

 

Being a primary school, bantams could also be a good move, as they are half the size of hybrid chickens, and whenever children come to my house, they always used to find Babs less intimidating because she was so small. Although they aren't good for egg laying.

 

Were hatching some eggs in school later in the summer, but rehoming the chicks as we leave for the summer holidays.

 

 

Oh, and Welcome

[Willow]

I would suggest a columbine rather than a cream legbar for as my columbines are very friendly so would be good for school.

[Newmarcell]

Hi,

 

Great to hear that you're thinking about getting hens at your school. I'm a primary school teacher, and we have also looked into it. Our main concern was about the safety of the birds - here in Nottinghamshire teachers still remember when people broke into schools and tortured and killed their pets (about 20 years ago). I was thinking about contacting Omlet and asking them if they have thought about designing an eglu or cube with lockable egg ports and doors. However, its only an 'idea' at our school at the moment.

 

I have an eglu and a cube. I'd recommend an eglu for schools as they're easier to dismantle and transport - thinking about who will take them home over school hols!

 

I'd recommend Omlet's Gingernut Rangers and Miss Pepperpots - they have been specifically selected for their friendlyness and ability to 'tame' (and also lay eggs)!

 

Also, I know Ernehale Infant School in Nottingham have just got a Cube and hens. They have a website www.ernehaleinfants.com but no info about their hens as of yet, but I guess you could contact them for a chat.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Newmarcell

[sheik]

The primary school local to me has chickens (in an eglu I think) and they are a huge success with the children by all accounts.

 

Middlefield Primary School Chickens page

 

I'm sure the head teacher would be willing to share advice if you contacted her.

 

/\dam

[Saronne]

After reading the title of this thread, I was imagining chickens who were playing truant!

 

 

 

Saronne x

[Lewis]

I was thinking about contacting Omlet and asking them if they have thought about designing an eglu or cube with lockable egg ports and doors. However, its only an 'idea' at our school at the moment.

Maybe a WIR with padlocked doors would be better and an easier idea, and should keep them safe.

[Guest]

hi i run chicken sanctuary in cannock staffs we all know what happens in schools with chickens but there is another reason ive had chickens/ chicks from schools where theve bought eggs hacthed found there cocks not hens and ive taken them as no body else does so my advise is if your havingbirds please make arangments for there removal when things go wrong or there time has finish ed in schools and have to go to be rehomed as a lot do thers not a problem with having birds as long as its thought out before hand and there rehomed properly have you thought about a school farm of mixed birds not just chickens more chiose to reserch im trying to sort same thimg like a farmof mixed birds where schools /speceial/ can come and see diferent types of birds and learn from them as most kids think eggs chickens come of suppermarket shelvs