This one-day course will teach you all there is to know about rearing, buying, keeping and eating chicken. Whether you are a committed small-holder, or someone who simply wants to know more about the chicken you eat, our course will give you all the knowledge you need.
Teaching the day will be Pammy Riggs and Richard Hicks (pictured right giving a demonstration at the River Cottage Festival). Pammy is affectionately known as our River Cottage Chicken Whisperer, because of her extensive knowledge and passion for chickens: you will have seen some of her passion in the first episode of The River Cottage Treatment. Pammy runs an organic poultry farm and shop in Devon called Providence Farm,and has worked closely with Hugh for some time.
Joining Pammy is Richard Hicks. Richard is a larger-than-life local chicken-rearer, who has featured a number of times in the TV series and who gave Hugh some much needed start up advice about raising his own chickens.
Pammy and Richard will begin the day by talking about different chicken breeds, their qualities and poultry personalities. They will cover both laying hens and meat birds, they will advise you where to buy them, as well as the best way to feed, house and care for your fledgling flock. You will then learn about the all-important cockerel selection process, as well as egg incubation, both under broody hens & using powered incubators. The day will round off with advice on slaughtering, plucking and preparing birds for the oven.
You will have the chance to look at our own modest Park Farm chicken project and, of course, you will not go hungry and there will be a three-course lunch prepared by the River Cottage chefs, including some of Pammys own organic chicken and seasonal produce from the River Cottage garden. You will go home with a fresh chicken that you have gutted yourself, as well as tips and recipes from the day.
Location: This course is run from River Cottage H.Q on the Dorset/Devon borders. Full address details of H.Q. will be provided once you have booked.
Wine/drink: We are a licensed venue. We also have a Bring Your Own policy and we do not charge corkage. We have a wide selection of the finest organic wines. We will be serving organic cordial and iced water from our own well.
Accommodation: If you need local accommodation, click here for a list of hotels and bed & breakfasts, recommended to us by our customers. We don't have camping facilities but for information on local campsites and self catering accommodation, call the Lyme Regis Tourist Information Office on 01297 442 138. They will be very happy to help.
Age: We would advise that this course is only really suitable for 12yrs of age and upwards. Under 16's must be accompanied by an adult. We put these guidelines for the safety, comfort and enjoyment of all our guests.
Time: 10.00am - 5.00pm
Tickets: We operate an E-ticket service so you will be sent confirmation of payment and an email confirmation of any places purchased on the course with all the information you need to know including our address, directions and a map. To purchase tickets for any of the available dates, please click on the link at the top of this page for your required date. The item will then be added to your shopping basket. To complete the purchase of the item, you need to go to the shop checkout where you will be able to change the quantity of tickets you order.
Hugh availability: Please note that Hugh will not be at every event, you can see from the list above which dates he is attending. Where a course is described as being 'with Hugh', this means that Hugh is currently scheduled to be present for part of the event.
Pricing: We are pleased to announce, we have been able to reduce the price of this event from July 2008 onwards.