I am giving my first class for backyard chickens--need your opinion!

[chickerdoodle]

A few other questions

How long should a newbie class be?
What items do wish you saw and/or touched (other than a chicken) when you first became interested in a small flock if backyard chickens?
What books would you say are most helpful for a newbie to read?
What was your first impression when you got your new chicks?

Thanks!

 

[A.T. Hagan]

In thinking on this some more one of the items I would bring in to show to them are the appropriate light fixtures. This is mostly of importance for the folks who feel the need to use the big 250w bulbs. They get quite hot and really must be used with the appropriate fixtures that are made of porcelain or other heat resistant materials. They also need to be fastened securely so that they cannot fall into the bedding which could start a fire. For just a handful of chicks they aren't necessary unless they will be brooded outside in cold weather. But some folks do need them so I would not just use a blanket "don't use these" but would rather demonstrate how to use them safely.

In brooding go over tricks they can use to keep shavings or other bedding material out of their feed and water. I'd talk about the advantages and disadvantages of different kinds of equipment. I really favor the reel-top chick feeders that prevent the birds from roosting or playing (and thus crapping on) top of the feeders which makes it ever so much easier to keep them clean. For waterers they can fashion a cone made out of paper, cardboard, or some such to keep them off the tops.

I'd also emphasize for indoor brooding that "chick dust" goes everywhere and they should be prepared to cope with that. Also, that once they start to feather out that chicks can often times fly right out of a brooder so a cover or top for theirs is an excellent idea.

It's getting to be an old book now, but the first book on birds I ever bought way back when was "Chickens In Your Backyard" which is still in print and still just as useful as ever for the beginner.

I'd keep any sort of class to two hours maximum and an hour is better still. But have plenty of handouts so they'll know where to go looking for further info when they need it.

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

Good luck with your classes. I'm sure the students will get a lot of great knowledge from your experience.

I think it is sad, though, that we have to have 'classes' to teach something as simple as raising a few chickens. It just illustrates the dramatic shift our population has made in the past century.

Jim

 

[chickerdoodle]

Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay :

Good luck with your classes. I'm sure the students will get a lot of great knowledge from your experience.

I think it is sad, though, that we have to have 'classes' to teach something as simple as raising a few chickens. It just illustrates the dramatic shift our population has made in the past century.

Jim

You are so right.

I was born and raised in NYC an never saw a real chicken coop. I had to research to find out how to care for mine! My dad though, had chickens right in the city when he was a young boy (a rooster too) and is so delighted that I have mine. He tells me stories of them and how my chickens are bringing back such good memories. He is coming to visit this September and will be the first time he'll see our hens!

 

[Urban Chaos]

Perhaps egg care - for instance, from what I've read on this site, you are not supposed to wash eggs because doing so would remove the natural barrier that keeps bacteria from entering.

I like the idea of presenting - perhaps in photo format, coops that range from high-low construction cost. If there is a way you can have a coop with all the bells and whistles there that would be awesome. I am a very hands on type learner and would have really appreciated seeing a coop.

Types of bedding (shavings, sand, straw) pros/cons of each including cost, local nonavailability and care.

Bring a variety of latches and show which are predator proof - I lost my first 9 girls because the latches I had were easy for dogs to get past.

Talk about poop boards, internal vs external laying boxes, types of feeders/waterers (is that even a word?)

Talk about pasty butt.

Perhaps even explain methods to cull ill/hurt chicks. We had to put one down and struggled with what would be the best (ie quickest most painless) method.

Wing clipping and under what circumstances it may be needed.

Common chicken behaviors that can be confusing/scary - dust bathing, stretching, egg laying song etc.

Signs of illness - egg bound, coughing, crop rot

 

[chickerdoodle]

Quote:
Thanks!! I am covering most all you mention and the rest in a second class where I will cover more in depth and additional subjects for when they start to lay as I need to limit the time of the class to about 1 1/2 hours.

Too much thrown at them in that time will be more than a newbie can handle--I don't want to scare them off

. I want to stick to the most important things to cover in the first class. I do think coops, tractors, etc are VERY important as they should have that done before the chicks need it. There are coops where I am having the class (it's a specialty small farm store) and other needed paraphernalia so they can see and touch it. There are also chicks and older birds for them to see. I am going to include the BYC Forum web address for the coop section as that has a plethora of ideas--including mine!

One thing I did remember to add in the first class is that they will have a "lump" on the right side of their chest after they eat (full crop) and how to tell if its emptying. I remember how many real newbies think something is wrong.

I do want you and everyone else to add any other topics as I am going to offer more classes that will cover egg washing (pros and cons) more health issues and more. Perhaps let me know if it should be in the first or second class.

Thanks!!

 

[Gardengirl 2011]

Maybe you could get a group of chicken owners to agree to a one day coop/run tour? I think THAT would be awsome! That way those that come to the class could get ideas for what they might want/need. And you never know, the feed store that's allowing you to do this presentation MAY offer YOU a discount on some of your own supplies since they should be having good sales due to your class!

You could do a sign up sheet and limit to so many people for those who have taken the class. Personally I would have enjoyed and gotten good informaton out of what you're planning. It's been many many years since I've had chickens and over that "voided" out time I found I had forgotten a lot too.

Just a thought.