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One of the aspects of our school farm is for you and your family to help look after our animals. This isn’t just about playing with the animals, but also taking part in cleaning them out and feeding them. Looking after our animals is really important. Please read this page carefully before making a booking (link for the booking form is at the end of this page).
Page Contents
Key points
- Arrive in the morning at 8am if you have a morning slot, or at 6pm for an evening slot. On non-school days including holidays and weekends, this can be up until 10am and 7pm.
- If it’s a school day, please come in via the main reception.
- If it’s a weekend or school/bank holiday, use the side gate by Dandelions. We will email you the temporary code. The car-park probably won’t be available.
- Use hand sanitiser provided before and after, and use the vinyl gloves whilst doing any cleaning.
- If you are unable to do your slot, please find a replacement and also email us.
- If you notice any issues (eg animals being unwell or a security or health and safety issue), please email us.
- Please don’t post any photos of the farm on social media, or mention it. Feel free to post close up photos of your child and the hens, but don’t mention the school!
- Ensure that you leave everything tidy and lock the shed and any gates behind you.
What to do in the morning (at 8am on a school day or by 10am if a weekend/holiday)
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What you need (mostly from the shed) – vinyl gloves, trowel/pooper scooper, black bin bags, chicken feed, grit, water (Year R tap), straw, hand sanitiser. From home: Mondays = Broccoli Wednesdays = Kale Saturdays = Carrots
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Check that the chicken run is safe and secure, then let the chickens out of the coop first thing in the morning, into the large run.
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Visually health check the chickens to make sure they are not displaying any signs of illness.
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Refresh the red water dispenser and make sure it is at least 2/3 full. Empty it out and then fill it to 2/3 full using the tap by the Year R classroom (by the outside cupboard doors).
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Check the food dispenser and refill to about half-full as required using the food pellets in the shed.
- If possible, please bring them (from home) a handful of veg on these days: Mondays = Broccoli Wednesdays = Kale Saturdays = Carrots
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Check the grit level in the small bowl (the grit looks like gravel!). Top up so that it’s roughly 2/3 full.
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Collect any eggs from the nest box and date them using a pencil. You can take any eggs home! Add straw if needed.
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Pull out the sliding trays in the coop and clean any mess (poop!), putting any mess into the black plastic bag. Ensure there is a good amount of straw in the trays.
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Spot clean the coop and run for any mess. Use gloves and the pooper scooper/trowel as necessary.
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Always wash your hands ! Sanitiser is available.
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The chickens can be left out of the coup as the door will close automatically. They shouldn’t be running around the farm!
What to do in the evening (at 6pm on a school day or by 7pm if a weekend/holiday)
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What you need (mostly from the shed) -vinyl gloves, trowel/pooper scooper, black bin bags, straw, hand sanitiser.
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Spot clean the coop and run, putting any waste (poo!) into the black plastic bag. Use gloves and the pooper scooper/trowel.
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Ensure there is a good amount of straw in the nesting box (on the side) for the hens to sit on.
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You don’t need to shut the chickens into their coop. The door will close automatically.
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Collect any eggs from the nest box and date them using a pencil. You can take any eggs home!
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You don’t need to worry about ensuring food as this is done in the morning, but definitely check their water is 2/3 full. Use the taps by Year R.
- Always wash your hands – sanitiser is available