Poultry course page

This summer we are offering one-day poultry courses at our smallholding. We offer an introduction to poultry keeping for those who are about to try and those who are interested in knowing a bit more about this fascinating hobby. We are situated near Biggar, within an hour’s drive of both Edinburgh and Glasgow and only minutes from 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. There 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.

* We reserve the right to cancel any course in which case deposits will be refunded.

Course dates

For further information or to make a telephone booking please contact us on 01899 221 578 or email info@deanbank.org.uk

"I just wanted to thank you for the course and the relaxed day I spent with you all. The day before the course I had an internet head on with no idea what to do. I now have an ordered house, fence worked out etc etc. All due to the course.......last thing, i loved my day." (C)

"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.