Teaching class on raising chickens

[DrakeMaiden]

I'd include ferral cats. They can potentially be a problem in cities too. Most won't look twice at a large fiesty bird, but not all are predictable.

 

[seattlefreeschool]

Certainly people could pool orders, but if they stick to the seattle guidelines (more important if you're close to neighbors... hens are loud in the morning too!) then it would be 8 people having to agree on what to order. It could be done of course, but I know I don't want to be the one to organize that!

I have checked out Seattle Tilth, I went there when I was learning about keeping chickens. They charge for their classes $32 to learn how to start with chicks, $32 to learn about keeping chickens in general and they used to have a more expensive class on coop design... Seattle Free School will be covering all for free!

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Interesting V Chick Chick, I didn't think of opposum. I have never had a problem with them. They would hang around my ducks all the time and never try anything, but I have heard of others here who have had problems with them.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Again, admirable mission . . . . I brought Seattle Tilth up because people associated with them might be willing to pool orders with you. At least that would be the hope.

 

[silkiechicken]

Quote:
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We don't have to worry about cyotes, badgers, bears, wolverines, or wolves in the city. Although, there was that one bear not too long ago... not normal though since it's mostly small lots and lots of cement.

Humans stealing chickens can also be a problem as there have been a few cases of that.

A drive out to Monroe is the best if people don't want to order chicks. I often have mix breeds and a few for sale up in Everett, and do come to the UW campus for egg drop off's and a chick drop off could be arranged. I usually post on craigslist about birds as I sell only locally.

 

[patandchickens]

to "benefits" I would add:
- produce great material to compost
- eat kitchen scraps (as snacks not full diet)
- very entertaining pets

you might however ought to mention some of the, how would you want to put it, "other facets of" keeping chickens, as well:
- need to have someone check on them daily when you're away,
- if you accidentally get a roo you will have to find something to do with it,
- they are not entirely silent, not even the hens,
- they are not entirely odor-free unless kept scrupulously cleaned,
- if you let them roam your yard/garden, they WILL eat garden plants and scratch dusting holes in your lawn.

(People need to be able to form a realistic, informed idea of whether chickens are "for them").

It would be real useful to add a short section, or at *least* a good handout, on what are the normal behaviors and body signs of a healthy chicken, and what things are apt to indicate problems.

Also an overview of typical daily, weekly, monthly, yearly maintenance would also be a good idea (such as: daily: collect eggs, check water and food, refill as needed; remove poo from droppings board; say hi to chickens and make sure they're basically ok)

Plus, people who take the class will need more info on coop design, e.g. space per chicken (including pros and cons of larger and smaller coops), roost design/space/materials/height, nest box design/location, locate a pop-hole door 8" or so ABOVE floor of coop, slope roof so it drains rainwater AWAY from run and doors, etc. In fact they may need this info just to be able to decide whether they do want to try chickens at all.

Good luck,

Pat