All about chickens

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. Pammy is affectionately known as the 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 the 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.

For further information and booking details visit www.rivercottage.net