In the summer of 2022 Reception children hatched 8 eggs in an incubator. 7 chickens successfully hatched and the children were really keen to keep them. With the support of our Forest Schools leader and the 2022 Y6 Forest Schools children, we managed to recycle an old coup for the chickens to live in. We currently have 7 chickens (4 cockerels, 3 hens) living on the school site. In the spring of 2023 the school will need to donate the cockerels to new homes- this will be discussed with the children closer to the time. 

The children play a large part in looking after the chickens. We believe it helps to promote responsible humans and encourages them to care for animals. Each class takes it in turns to look after the chickens each week. The children are taught about feeding, watering, cleaning bedding, petting and staying hygienic. The document below is used by the children and a copy is kept up by the coup. The document is also shared with the children termly in a whole school assembly. 

We have a risk assessment in place which can be viewed and downloaded below. 

When the chickens begin laying eggs, these will be made available for families. We have a chicken treat bucket at the front of school where parents/carers can bring fruit and vegetable donations (bought from the supermarket or home grown).