Are you thinking of keeping a flock of chickens in your school, kindergarten or childcare centre? Let’s have a peck at why it’s an egg-cellent idea, what equipment, tools and products you need to get started and educational activities your students can experience with a flock of friendly schoolyard hens to interact with.
Why should our school keep chickens?
Caring for a flock of chickens is a great way for students to learn about biology, compassionate animal husbandry, food science and sustainable living practices. Chickens are cute, funny and affectionate and make great schoolyard pals for toddlers to teenagers at any developmental level. Learn more about why we think chickens make the best pet for kids right here.
What do we need to keep chickens in our school?
To effectively keep chickens in a school environment you will need;
- A secure and properly designed coop
- A secure and spacious chicken run
- A feeder and drinker
- A fresh supply of bedding for their nesting boxes, coop and chicken run floor
- Chicken feed, shell grit and treats for encouraging interaction
- Secure storage drums for feed, bedding and other products and tools
- A Hen Health Kit to prevent any poultry illness, pests or parasites
- A first aid kit for your flock
- Predator prevention products and methods
Which chicken breeds should we raise and keep at our school?
Most chickens will be easy to handle provided they have been raised in a hands on environment with plenty of human interaction, but there are certain breeds that are well suited to keeping by children thanks to their especially docile nature. Here are three chicken breeds suitable for kid keepers:
Learn more about child-friendly chicken breeds right here.
Feathered Fun - Chicken keeping tasks and educational activities for students
Your students can perform a number of tasks to contribute to their school flock’s health and happiness.
Daily Chicken Keeping Tasks
- Egg collection and recording
- Chicken behaviour observation and recording
- Chicken training - tricks and obedience
- Refill the feeders and drinkers
Weekly Chicken Keeping Tasks
- Top-up the coop bedding
- Rake and clean out the chicken run
- Flock health check - observe the flock for any health issues
Monthly Chicken Keeping Tasks
- Remove and replace all bedding
- Clean the coop, chicken run and surrounds
- Clean and re-fill feeders and drinkers
- Individual hen health checks
Hatching baby chicks - an egg-cellent educational experience!
Many schools choose to incubate, hatch and raise their school flock. This is a fantastic learning experience for students as they get to witness the start of the chicken lifestyle and bond early with their feathered friends. Learn More about what this fascinating process involves with our essential guides:
- Hatching Baby Chickens: A Great Learning Experience For Kids
- Preparing for Baby Chickens
- All About Chicken Egg Incubation
- The First Few Days and Weeks With Baby Chicks
Our Learning Centre is a great source of information for beginner keepers.
Have a peck at these essential guides to get crackin’ with your school flock!
- A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Keeping Chickens
- The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Happy and Healthy Chickens
- Choosing the Perfect Chicken Coop
- Chicken Care and Maintenance
- Chicken Feed - What Chooks Like to Chomp
- All the Different Types of Chicken Feed Explained
- The 5 Most Common Chicken Health Problems
- Essential Tools for Keeping Chickens
There are plenty of things to consider when becoming a chicken parent from health to nutrition. Especially when children are involved, you'll want practical information to help you raise a happy, healthy flock. Many chicken keepers struggle to handle chicken health or behaviour issues, especially in the first few years of having a flock.
This is why I recommend Chickenpedia to all my readers. They have comprehensive online courses on everything you didn’t know you need to know and then some more! From healthcare to raising baby chicks to feeding and behavior, you’ll find beginner-friendly courses that’ll give you the knowledge and confidence to successfully look after your chickens.
As a member, you will get access to ALL their fantastic courses. No need to wing it, become the ultimate chicken eggspert! Check out Chickenpedia today!
