Our Chicken keeping course
This summer we are offering one day poultry courses at our Smallholding. We hope to offer an introduction to poultry keeping for those who are about to try and those who who are interested in knowing a bit more about this fascinating hobby. We are situated near Biggar within an hours drive of both Edinburgh and Glasgow and only minutes form the M74.
The course covers
- Choosing and buying your hens
- Feeding and housing your chosen hens
- Pests and diseases
- How to dispatch and prepare a bird for the table (optional)
- Where to go for advice and help
- Rules and regulations
This day is hands on with the opportunity to handle different kinds of hens. You will get the chance to clip wings and test whether hens are in lay. Their will be an optional demonstration of how to dispatch a bird and prepare it for the table. (Even those who do not intend to kill their birds should know how to do it confidently in case it becomes necessary).
The courses start at 10am and finish at around 3pm. Lunch and refreshments are included.
The course costs £50 per person. A £10 deposit is required to reserve a place. Places are limited and must be booked in advance. Courses are run as and when there is demand. Let us know when you would like to come and we will arrange a course if we can.
Course dates
| April | Saturday 26th | |
| May | Saturday 3rd | |
| June | Saturday 14th | |
| July | Saturday 26th | |
| August | Saturday 23rd | |
| New dates below due increased demand. | ||
| September | Saturday 6th | |
| October | Saturday 4th | |
| November | Saturday 1st | |
| December | Saturday 6th | |
2009 dates will soon be available please contact us for information - gift vouchers and starter kits available now.
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Gift vouchers are available on request. Group bookings are also welcome.
To book or for further information please contact us on 01899 221 578 or email info@deanbank.org.uk
Quotes
"We would like to thank you both again for a great day, we learned so much. The day was well organised and set at a good pace giving us plenty of time to get used to the birds, handle them and ask lots of questions. Food was fabulous and a great friendly approach to the whole day" (M and M).
"This was a GREAT day, thank you sooooooooo much. When I came home My husband asked me, if I am still convinced (about the chickens), which I answered with an enthusiastic YES.
Can't wait." (E).
"We are now over one month with the hens. What a joy and how simple everything seems since your course. I would recommend your course to everyone who decides to have hens it takes away all the rubbish and puts everything onto a sensible footing." (N)
"I really enjoyed the course last Saturday. Thanks so much for all the really useful information and the gorgeous lunch and cake!" (C)
"It was lovely to meet you and Paddy today and thanks for an informative and very enjoyable day. Lovely cooking, too so thanks to the chef :o)" (A)
"Hi just a note to say thank you for the course last Saturday. It was good to see the reality of a lot of the information that I had read up on the web. I look forward to cracking on with the chicken house and getting some.
Once again very freindly and relaxed day but loads of info."(M)