The Sanctuary | Our chickens

Ever since we have lived at The Sanctuary, we have grown fruit and vegetables, and for the last eight years we've been keeping chickens as well. It's not quite "The Good Life" and being completely self-sufficient (let's call it semi-sufficient). But it does help our own children appreciate where food comes from, and to share in the delights and responsibilities.

Two Goldlines
Two Blacktails
Two Black Rocks
Three Cream Legbars
Four Light Sussex

Whenever possible, they are free to roam the whole of our garden. If we have visitors with dogs (who might not be so used to chickens as our own Golden Retrievers) we keep the hens in a secure run.

The Cream Legbars were hatched by our daughter (using an incubator) with eggs from the Cotswold Poultry Club, The Goldlines, Blacktails and Light Sussex came from Piggy Bank Pastures, and the Black Rocks came from Country Fayre who are an excellent source of essential equipment as well.

Over the years we have learned lots about keeping chickens and now, for example, we've made our own new hen house. It's much easier to keep clean (and that makes for happier hens). We're happy to chat with visitors who are interested in keeping chickens. If you're just starting and would like formal training, why not try a course at Val's Chicken School?

Here is a really good website, all about The Incredible Edible Egg.