At St Nicholas Primary School we keep two Marsbar hens. These are a cross between Cream Legbar and a Maran.

Though out the school year all of the children have a chance to meet the hens and help to look after them. Animal therapy is a fun way of providing emotional support to young people. Studies have shown that animals can make great therapists helping to improve confidence, cognitive abilities and well-being.

Each day groups of children undertake important jobs, that make sure our hens live healthy and happy lives. The children, clean out the hen-house and change the location of this, to stop the grass being damaged. They also enjoy the anticipation of seeing how many eggs we have each day. These eggs are then sold to the local community on a Friday evening as school closes for the weekend. By undertaking these jobs, every child gains an understanding of what it means to be responsible for the welfare of the animals.

We keep the hens so:

• Children with no exposure to animals or nature in their home environment can see, feel, touch and make connections to the wide world of animals.
• the children can observe and care for the the animals as this instills a sense of responsibility and respect for life.
• the children have an increased sensitivity and awareness of the feelings and needs of others—both animals and humans.
• the children learn that all living things need more than just food and water for survival.
• the children see directly how their behaviour and actions affect others.
 

Future Plans

We are currently developing the farm area and have purchased a new fence. This will allow our hens more room to roam, where they can explore the willow trees and find a variety of different insects to eat.

We are then hoping to further develop this area, any ideas would be more than welcomed on how we can improve this area.