Like the idea but not sure about the reality...

[changer22]

We've moved to the country and have plenty of garden and I would like to keep chickens but know nothing about it.

The local 'farm' (attraction/rare breeds/chickens) holds courses on keeping chickens but before I fork out £70 I need to do a bit of research first.

Could anyone recommend a basic guide or internet site please? I would like to have an idea of cost, fox issues, breeds, etc.

Omlet.co.uk

£70 for a course - arf! Give over Changer, you don't need a course - looking after chickens is a doddle!

Go to the Omlet site and read through the various pages and then look on the discussion board. I have an Omlet Cube (coop) for my chickens but there are loads of really reasonably priced alternatives out there - arks, coops, runs etc.

Go for it! The chickens practically looked after themselves!

I agree! it helps if you have a friend in RL who is more experienced, but really tis not rocket science. 'Beginning with Chickens' is a good book to read while you think about it.
But really all they need is food, water, company and shelter.

Don't do the course! Theres everything you need on the Omlet site. Fabulous resource. Just get stuck in! We dillied and dallied for a couple of years but it's the best thing we did and very very easy.

Beware of spending too much as well, it needn't be expensive at all, there are a lot of companies out there trying to make a few quid out of you! My Dh built a house and run for less than £100, but there are various good inexpensive ones on the net.

Thank you for your replies. I've been checking out the Omlet site and and will get the book (is it 'Starting with Chickens'?). We'll go for getting the chickens in Spring which will give DH and the DC time to build a coop and sort out the garden.

thats what we did, researched in the winter and got my first chooks for mothers day. Read lots of Practical Poultry mags too!

Whereabouts are you? Is it the rare breeds centre near Evesham that you are referring to? Only if so you can do exactly the same course for about £35 through Evesham College (DH did it and said it was very worthwhile)

No, not in Worcestershire but in the south east. Thanks for the tip though.

Certainly worth checking out the local college of further education. DH said the info on the course he could have got from a book but he felt much more confident (including in designing/building our own chicken house) than if he had only read books.