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

[Happy chickens!]

One of the fundraising ideas we have had at our club recently is to organise a balloon race - you sell balloons to release at an event and there is a prize for the one that travels furthest.

 

I thought sounds fun, but....

 

We are near an estuary with lots of birds and seals; further reading suggests that some balloons don't rise up high enough to burst into small harmless pieces and may be eaten. RSPB don't recommend. Balloon companies say balloons biodegradable and no recorded instances of harm... but see here http://www.ukrivers.net/balloon_fact.html So I'm asking you guys as a neutral sounding board, what do you think? (And yes, have come across virtual balloon races, but if you were a 5 year old, would you join in?!)

 

Thanks

[stoice]

I've read someone doing an alternative to a ballon race. Might be pricy but if it's for charity it could be a goer. Homing pigeons!

 

read here... http://www.pigeonbasics.com/news/news381.html

[Chucky Mama]

I had a balloon race for my sons 9th birthday. We let them go with a tag with the offer of a prize and let them go before going for a lovely 5 mile walk. I think the winners balloon travelled over 150 miles. They are biodegradeable and we bought a bottle of heilium to fill them ourselves. I think birds are pretty unlikely to swallow them but of course I could be wrong. In 4 years of working for the RSPCA I never had a ballon related problem with any animal/bird.

[Clash City Rocker]

I voted "No".

 

I don't really want someone else's litter in my Garden/Street/City.

 

http://www.pjonline.com/blog_entry/when_the_balloon_goes_up_consider_the_turtle

[majorbloodnock]

How's about this for an alternative. A good few years ago, I contacted one of the major manufacturers of jelly. It seems most of the manufacturers have a reasonable degree of wastage that they have to throw away, and would probably be happy to let you have as much of this as you could take off their hands so long as you agreed it wasn't for consumption.

 

The reason? Jelly Olympics.

 

I never looked too far into the logistics of this, but I suspect one or two of those commercial water heaters (for making lots of cups of tea - you find them in most village hall kitchens) would provide a constant enough supply of hot water to make a pretty respectable jelly production line.

 

At that point, I reckon there would be loads of things that a 5 year old wouldn't be able to resist. Throwing jelly at someone, jelly wellie races, a jelly slide, jelly and spoon races, lucky dips jelly-style; the list is endless.

 

And all biodegradable too.

[Happy chickens!]

I love the racing pigeons and jelly ideas. Have been working the keyboard and can't find any local possibilities though.

 

The other committee members think I must be mad One minute I think would be a disaster if hundreds of balloons landed in the estuary, then the next I think, well the maths is about 5% of the balloons won't burst so could be a problem. If we sell say 400, that would be 20 that land whole and most of those would probably do no harm.

 

They are biodegradeable but in water can last up to 12 months; even on land can take up to 6 months.

[Guest]

i voted no. I do think balloons are magical but am more concerned about the impact on widlife. Couldn't you do snail racing or similar, get the kids to collect the snails and release them afterwards?

[Ygerna]

Sorry but I voted no too. It wont just be your estuary at risk, but anywhere that the balloons drift to.

 

Like the idea of a snail race though Or maybe a chicken race, lay a trail of corn and watch them go

[redhotchick]

I voted no too.

 

I think balloon releases look beautiful, but the debris/fallout wouldn't be worth it.

 

Sorry I don't have any other ideas. What is a virtual balloon race please?

 

I think the chicken racing would be great fun.

[Chucky Mama]

oh no! as the only yes vote I feel like a bad person

[Happy chickens!]

No, no you're so not a bad person!! Quite a few yes votes cast, but no reasons given

 

I'm still torn, love the idea, hate the possible downsides.... have put it out to an e-mail vote by our whole committee!!

 

The virtual balloon race is one on the internet - orange did a big one earlier this year and some sites host them for you for a price, you play games to travel further and visit suggested websites to gain 'miles' - which is why I don't really like them.

 

Chicken racing would be great fun, mmm but I only have 6, my friend has another 6, do you thing they would peck each other???

 

Thanks for all your input, much appreciated. Any other great fundraising ideas gratefully received!

[Chucky Mama]

One of the most successful fundraising ideas that our Scout group had this year during their fete was a 'Plate Smash'. People donated old chipped crockery that was destined for the bin. They then had a mock up dresser affair that they had made and put the crockery on. Then people paid £1 for 5 blocks (blocks of wood or balls could be used). They then smashed as many things as they could with their 5 blocks. There is no need for prizes and the queue was huge. It was a real hit (lots of people needing to vent frustrations I think )and made a tidy profit. There was also an endless supply of crockery to keep refilling. They stuff needs to be far enough away that you don't necessarily always hit something.

[Blackrocksrock]

any chance of a stream to net at the bottom and let go small yellow plastic ducks people have bought one with numbers on and netted at the bottom when race over - same difference but low impact on the wildlife. Reusable for next years race.

[lisa33]

I voted no. I hate it when I take my dog round our local wildlife area and there are balloons all over the place.

 

I like the idea of the snail racing.

[majorbloodnock]

How about a soapbox challenge. Assuming you have a smooth, gentle slope (preferably grassy) somewhere near you that can be used, the kids could all have a competition (with parental help if necessary) to build soapbox style gocarts and race them down the hill. Receipts for all materials used to be retained and presented on entry, with total cost not exceeding a previously defined amount (such as £5).