Planning a urban poultry workshop

[Buck Creek Chickens]

I've been asked to plan a workshop, but i have never been to one. have you? or you an urban chicken owner, what would you like to see at a workshop, any ideas will be helpful

Feeding/feeds
shelter
runs
predators
disease
breeds
???

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

I certainly would attend one if it was within a couple hours driving distance. There's still soooo much more I would like to learn...

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Based on what I've seen locally and what I heard at a similar workshop that's been held here in Gainesville what I would suggest are these:

- Where to find feed and supplies locally, with an emphasis on what businesses carry some of the more unusual things like game bird starter, oyster shell, and grit.

- Explain the different kinds of waterers and feeders there are available, especially locally, and their various strong and weak points.

- Explain the different kinds of feeds there are available and when you should use one over the other and what can substitute for something else if your local supplier is out of whatever it is that you need. Simply telling them use starter, grower, finisher, layer (a la the extension service) isn't very helpful if your local suppliers don't carry feeds labeled like that. Especially cover medicated feeds and what they are and are not. Most particularly for newcomers I think using medicated chick starter is important.

- Explain who in the local area carries chicks, when they have them, and a general idea of the types they carry as well as how to mail order them. Particularly be clear about minimum amounts and "packing peanuts" for those places that say they'll ship smaller numbers.

- Good brooder practices with emphasis on cleanliness, and safety if they'll be using heat sources such as the 250w heat lamps.

- Local poultry ordinances if you have any and how to finesse them if necessary. Discuss the problems of roosters in high population areas.

- Predators ranging from their own dogs to their neighbor's dogs to local wildlife. I'd really emphasize that prevention is worlds better than cure so think this through BEFORE they get birds.

- While you're at it I'd emphasize they need to have their adult bird housing worked out BEFORE they puts chicks in their brooder. Life is ever so much simpler if you're not in a march or die situation of trying to get their housing built before the chicks run you out of your home.

There is of course a lot more than just what I mentioned to be covered, but those are some particular points I'd want to see covered.

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

You might want to add a workshop on processing your own birds. I know people dont like to think about it but sometimes it does come up.