From the day that I arrived at Orley Farm, I have been looking into putting the ‘animals’ into our experience! I am delighted to report that our ‘Edge Programme’ has finally delivered this through the Year 6 experience of ‘Chicken Husbandry’. Mrs Harrison came to me last term and said ‘wouldn’t it be great to have chickens at the school…children could take on responsibility, learn about care of animals and we could use the eggs in our cooking programme’. I was sold…
Mr Lewis and Mrs Powell collected three beautiful hens last week and moved them into their new ‘Eglu’ home, a detached mansion in the meadow… considering the location as well as fixtures & fittings, I’m thinking of evicting them and moving in myself! Today, I dropped in on the Edge session and found everyone taking their turn in handling the chickens, whilst learning about how to keep them healthy. Mr Lewis commented that the difference in the confidence of those involved in handling the hens from last week to this week was amazing. As a side note, I appear to have lost my PA, as Mrs Powell has become somewhat broody…if my phone isn’t answered, know that Mrs Powell is checking on her chooks! Everyone is very excited about when the first eggs are going to arrive…I’ll keep you posted but the food technology group have them earmarked for free-range omelets…
Tim Calvey