Professional development

Victorian ECEC encouraged to use “cooped up” time to learn about chicken care

Freya Lucas

Sep 08, 2020

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With chickens being a popular addition to many early childhood education and care programs in Victoria, RSPCA Victoria is encouraging educators, providers and leaders to use the recently announced extended lock down to upskill on chicken care and keeping.

An online short course covering the basics, and designed for first time hen owners, will be run this Saturday, 12 September, showing that “there’s more to chickens than just eggs”, and sharing information on how to keep chickens healthy, happy and even entertained.

Get Clucking, a spokesperson said, is “a friendly, informative course” for first time hen owners and anyone looking to learn more about chickens. Chicken owners and those just feeling ‘clucky’ will learn the basics of caring for these social and inquisitive creatures.

Hosted by members of RSPCA Victoria’s Education Team, Jess Collins and Emily Constantine, Get Clucking includes tips and know-how on best practice care for chickens.

“Like any other animal,” Ms Constantine said, chickens “require special care and attention”.

“The decision to own backyard hens comes with a responsibility to ensure they are cared for appropriately” she added, recommending the session for “anyone who is looking to own hens or even for those who already own them.”

The session will cover feeding, housing, and information about how to keep hens mentally stimulated.

Anyone in charge of hens has a legal obligation to ensure they are provided with proper and sufficient food, water, shelter and veterinary treatment when necessary.

Get Clucking costs $30 per participant and includes an information booklet for future reference. Online bookings are available now, with additional information about caring for hens available here.

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