Keeping Hens at Home With Mick Kelly - 11th May

Are you ready to learn how to keep our favourite feathered friends at home? 
Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned poultry enthusiast, this course is your gateway to becoming a successful and confident chicken keeper.

Who is running the course?
I’m Mick Kelly, the founder of GIY. GIY is a social enterprise that supports around a million people each year to grow some of their own food for the first time. I have been growing food and keeping happy, healthy hens for 20 years, starting as a complete beginner in my early 30s and have since written five books about food growing and developing a more sustainable food system.  I presented both Food Matters on RTE & 3 series of a TV show Grow, Cook, Eat on RTE and Amazon Prime that has been seen by over 12 million people around the world. I spend my whole life trying to inspire and support people to grow food successfully – and when I am not doing that, I am growing my own food and keeping hens at home.

Here's what you can expect to learn:

• Choosing the Right Bird:
  Learn how to pick the perfect feathered friends for your flock. You'll delve into various breeds, their characteristics, and their age, helping you choose the ideal chickens
  
  
• Feeding your Flock:
  Proper nutrition is at the heart of chicken care. From selecting the right feed to creating balanced diets, you'll gain a deep understanding of what your chickens need to thrive
  
  
• Housing and Ranging Systems:
  Get a closer look at how to create a safe, comfortable, and functional living space for your hens. Learn about various housing options, from simple coop designs to advanced systems, allowing you to tailor your setup to your space and preferences. You'll also learn how to create a safe ranging system for your chickens, promoting their natural behaviours.
  
  
• Poultry Health and Common Problems:
  Healthy chickens are happy chickens, so it's crucial to understand poultry health and how to recognise and address common issues. Discover how to identify and treat common health problems, ensuring your hens stay in peak condition.
  
  
• Meat Production:
  If you're looking to raise chickens not only for eggs but also for meat, this course will be your go-to resource. Richard will teach you the best practices for raising meat birds.

Enjoy a delicious plot-to-plate mezze lunch overlooking the HQ Gardens (or in the garden if weather permits) and get the chance to meet and learn from fellow GIYers. There will be coffee, tea and scones on arrival and a seasonal cordial for an afternoon pick-me-up.

About Our Head Grower, Richard Mee:
Richard started growing at only 3 years old with his dad and since then has accumulated over 40 years of growing experience. He studied for a BSc in Horticulture at Reading University and an MSc in Organic Farming at the Scottish Agricultural College. In addition to the UK and Ireland, Richard has grown veg all over the world, including Central America and Africa.

Cancellation Policy
We operate a 48-hour cancellation policy. If you cancel your booking at least 48 hours prior to event you will be refunded. Cancellations made less than 48 hours prior to the date will not be refunded. 

Allergies
Please advise us of any dietary requirements and allergens when booking (email: allen@giy.ie) - we are unable to change the menu on the day.