Fife school kids become poultry farmers after fundraising campaign

The fundraising efforts to buy the chickens and coop began last year after the children presented a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style presentation to Patricia Shafren, head teacher, and Mags Waterson-Scott, depute head teacher. The presentation was so convincing that there was no option but to agree to the chickens.

A quiz night raised £360 to start the ball rolling, however, the chicken coop the school had in mind – an Eglu Cube, made by a company called Omlet – had a price tag of £1000.

The coop is fox resistant and because of the way it’s made, is resistant to red spider mite and other pests. The staff and pupils were delighted when Kingsbarns Golf Links heard of their quest to become poultry farmers and offered to donate the full amount for the coop.

The chickens were supposed to arrive in May, but, because of lockdown, everything was delayed.

The chickens are now at Kingsbarns, being fed organic food, and the children hope to sell their eggs in the local Community Honesty Shop.

A school spokesperson said: “Some children have had little or no contact with animals so this gives them good experience of caring for a pet.

“They are learning to be patient and gentle and allow the chickens to come to them rather than forcing them to do as they want. Every day two children are responsible on a rota basis for cleaning out the coop and refreshing their water and food, then on a Friday there is a deep clean, where the coop is dismantled and washed properly.

“The children are taking their responsibilities very seriously and are really enjoying the contact with the chickens.”