Rent-a-hen proves a hit
Ben Barraclough
A FARM near Welford has been helping kids get to grips with keeping hens – by renting them out to schools across the area.
Ben Barraclough runs the rent-a-hen scheme from his Mini Meadows Farm in Welford.
Schools which sign up receive a hen house with chickens, feed and bedding as well as a a learning resource pack with student activities for Key Stage 1-3.
The hens are collected at the end of term to spend the holidays back at Mini Meadows Farm.
Hen packages for individuals or families are also available.
A former sales and marketing executive, Mr Barraclough went into farming a few years ago after deciding life in an office was not for him.
He joined forces with a friend to set up a business as a garden designer and landscaping specialist before the recession hit and he had to rethink his options.
He bought a 12-acre plot of land and decided to become a specialist breeder of chickens.
His farm specialises in the hand-rearing of nearly 50 types of rare breed chickens, large fowl, bantams and hybrids, and also runs a free petting zoo for families.
Mr Barraclough said the rent-a-hen scheme had proved particularly successful.
“We’ve had an incredibly positive reaction to the idea from schools and if it goes well we can imagine rolling it out nationally,” he said.
“It’s an educational experience for the kids and they get to enjoy keeping an animal.”
Visit www.minimeadowsfarm.com for more information.
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Friday 24 May 2013
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