Relaxed Farming - our farm in your classroom

Scratching, pecking and being outside: as soon as possible our owners encourage us to take the chicks outside and then we get the fun of showing them where the best places are for scratching in the grass and soil, how to eat/drink from the feeders and drinkers and where we can all dust bathe together (although they don't do this untill they are a bit older...).

At various times during the day we all have a sit down and the chicks snuggle back under us to keep warm and safe. As they get older they need to come to us less and less for warmth and protection and then at some stage (five to six weeks usually for me but longer for some other broodies) we send them off on their own to fend for themselves (although we do still meet up for a chat and a night-time roost!!).