lizinsa Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 I am looking for advice about school chickens. I'm a teacher in a deprived inner city Primary School and I'm considering getting chickens for school, I know there are a fair few teachers on here and wondering if any of you had experience of this? I'm in the fortunate position of having a healthy budget to spend so school could afford it without fundraising but before I go to the Head I want to be as prepared as possible. I've worked out the initial costings and as I'm in Year 5 I know that I can get children to help me look after them in term time BUT ... - I'm concerned the novelty will wear off with the children (like the pets that parents often ending up looking after!) - how much should I budget monthly for food, bedding, vets bills etc? - can the run be secured so the children can't 'accidentally' let the chickens out? - are parents keen to look after them in the holidays or do I need to find staff to be prepared to be responsible for their care? I've been inspired having taught 'Grow Your Own' as part of our WWII topic, studying our local area and how to improve it and seeing the joy on the children's faces making their own bread and butter yesterday - a 1st for all of them! Sorry for the long message but would love to give the children the experience of chickens but scared I'm just getting carried away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 i think there was someone on here recently who had school links and chucks. Sadly it wasnt a pleasant story due to some kids breaking in. security in a deprived area will have to be very good for the chickens to be safe. You have also brought up subject of holiday times, have you a good caretaker who lives on sight who could be persuaded to help out? . Have you any city farms which might give advice on this. Sorry to be so negative, I know my ES's sec school has them and has been a success. We are not in a deprived area but surrounded by poorer areas. Sadly one the hens got injured on railings - but not thro neglect or cruelty. Sadly there will always be some negatives where ever you look. Wish you luck and hope someone more knowledgeable will be along soon. Ali x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfer_chicken Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 My brothers secondary school keep chickens an ducks. They have an after school club who look after them and they often take the ducks to shows. The kids in the club definitely help out looking after them in the holidays but I think they come onto the school grounds rather than taking them home. I imagine it's a bit more hassle than bringing home the class hamster which would probably put parents off. You can't really work out the monthly cost unless you know how many chickens you are going to have. As for security I'm sure it would be simple enough to attach a bolt to a wooden coop/run which you could padlock so only teachers had a key It really is a lovely idea. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Well, my son's school has now had chickens for nearly 3 years. This was what made me get into the chicken habit too! A local farmer donated 3 chickens to the school. A local feed merchant supplies the feed, sprays and bedding. The wooden coop was bought off the web and a community from the school built an enclosure for the girls (I think it is made out of recycled stuff.) 1 chicken down now due to illness, but as far as I am aware the others are all well. There is a "chicken rota" for interested parents and children who sign up for weekends/holidays. They are given "training" so know what to do. The best bit I think the children like is they have an egg roll (I think that is what they call it), every Friday in Assembly. The children clap their thighs until the Headteacher pulls the winner out of the hat, then silence when the winner is announced. Anyone who is interested puts £1 into school with their name and their name gets pulled out of a hat on Friday to win some eggs for tea. The £1 goes towards chicken costs. Everyone is a winner as until everyone's name has been pulled out of the hat, it keeps going. Then the process starts again. The chickens free range when the school is open...they go on the field and playground. Initially, the chicken were under mega security with 3 padlocks, one for the main gate to school, one for the entrance to their enclosure and one for the nesting box. Now there is a padlock for the main gates...unless it has changed again...as i am no longer an active member of the rota as there are plenty of people on the rota who are willing and have no chickens. The perk of course when you are on the rota is you keep the eggs. I hope this info helps. I think the children love the chickens, the learning benefits are huge and fun is had by all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I 'manage' a chicken project down at a local school. We have 3 pekin bantams and 2 silkies. I'd say we go through a bale of Aubiose every half term and a sack of layers pellets every term. They are given greens and treats, which the children often bring in. I have had to retrieve cakes from the run before now! That is something you would have to watch, the over generous feeding....very tempting but not good for them. We don't allow parents to take the hens home at the hols. Either they come to me or the site manager looks after them if I'm not around. The classes take it in turns to feed and water the chickens and collect eggs, week by week, under supervision. Risk assessed and parental consent forms signed, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
