Provider of poultry keeping courses, copy writer, product development
Chicken keeping courses
I have been teaching chicken keeping courses - at beginner and advanced levels - for over 15 years; they cater for the complete beginner, and for those who have been keeping chickens for years.
With the assistance of a small flock of friendly – and patient - chickens, I cover the practicalities of chicken health, feeding and maintenance.
Questions and chicken-handling are encouraged and a goody bag full of course notes, supplier information, samples and (if I can wangle it) money-off vouchers provided. Also, my legendary cakes, tea and coffee!
Beginner's chicken keeping course
Perfect for a complete novice, this excellent course provides the information and confidence to purchase chickens and chicken housing, maintain your flock day to day and to feed and handle them.
You will learn:
• how to hold a chicken
• daily maintenance
• how, and what, to feed your chickens
• how to do a health check and what to look for
• how to choose a suitable place for the coop and run
The Beginners Course takes roughly 2 - 2½ hours, so I only recommend it to children over ten years old.
Advanced chicken keeping course
If you already keep chickens, this course is ideal; it will teach you more about chicken physiology, common ailments and injuries, what you can deal with at home and, most importantly, what you absolutely must take to a vet.
You will learn:
• observation of appearance and behaviour
• handling your hens
• how to do a comprehensive health check, and what
to look for to identify and manage common ailments
• introducing new chickens to your environment and flock
• treating injuries, mites, lice and parasite checks
• chicken nutrition and health supplements
The Advanced Course is very detailed and lasts around 2½ hours, so I don’t recommend it to children younger than twelve years old.
Scroll down to book
The course venue
The courses are held in Wigginton OX15, full details will be in your joining instructions.
I am delighted to be returning to this lovely venue in the historic village of Wigginton; the village hall is beautifully appointed and has LOADs of parking to boot.
People travel from all over the country to attend the courses, so we start at 11am to give you time to assemble; the Beginner's course ends around 1:30pm, the Advanced around 2:30pm, with a break for tea, coffee and homemade cakes part way through.
2026 chicken keeping courses
Hi folks, here are the booking dates for 2026; note that there are less courses this year - I have just moved house and need to spend some time working on it! To ensure that you get the best from this course, they are limited to 12 people on each date.
If these dates get full quickly, then I will look at adding an extra date in the summer; you can use the contact form - button at the bottom of the page - to get in touch if you have any questions.
22nd February 2026 - Advanced - this date is cancelled due to ongoing AIPZ restrictions
19th April 2026 - Beginner (ended)
31st May 2026 - Advanced (ended)
28th June 2026 - Advanced (ended)
19th July 2026 - Advanced (ended)
20th September 2026 - Advanced - 3 places left
With the possibility of another Avian Influenza lockdown each winter, if any of these dates prove to be in jeopardy, then I will let everyone know as soon as I hear and offer them spaces on other dates where I can, creating an extra date or two in the summer if needed.
Once you have booked onto your course, you will receive an email from me with your joining instructions. There will be one further (reminder) email just prior to your course. The courses start at 11am.
