RSPCA educates on chicken care

A ONE-hour short course facilitated by RSPCA Victoria will cover how to care for chickens this weekend.

The organisation’s first online course of its kind will be streamed live from the RSPCA Victoria Education Barn, sharing tips and tricks to ensure owners keep their home chickens happy, healthy and busy, not just egg-laying machines.

The Get Clucking session will teach basic and best care practices for chooks regarding ideal shelter, food and enrichment they need for good wellbeing.

RSPCA Victoria educator, Emily Constantine said they’re naturally social and inquisitive.

“The decision to own backyard hens comes with a responsibility to ensure they are cared for appropriately,” she said.

“For anyone who is looking to own hens or even for those who already own them, Get Clucking is a great way to learn the basics of hen welfare.

“We’re not only going to talk about what to feed them and where to keep them, we’ll also provide information on what hens need to be entertained and the type of housing they like best.”

The course runs on Saturday, 12 September. It costs $30 to participate and those taking part will receive a resource book to refer to in the future.

Bookings can be made via rspcavictoria.weteachme.com, and further hen care information is accessible at kb.rspca.org.au/article-categories/backyard-hens.