Therapy Chickens: The Training of Handlers and Their Birds
to do Public Visitations.
6 Classes Plus Four Visitations to Public Venue
Next course will be offered in Spring 2019

A therapy chicken is specially selected and handled, and its owner specifically trained to provide therapeutic visitation, comfort, education and entertainment to people in retirement homes, assisted living, schools, rehabilitation facilities and other suitable venues. Learn how to work with your birds (often pets) to take them safely and sanitarily to visitation places. Individual coaching, live Q&A sessions.

As the therapy chicken handler, you must be able to:
• Read your bird's particular stress signals
• Anticipate your animal's responses, behavior and positions
• Advocate for the safety and well being of your bird at all times
• Re-direct your bird's behavior in a positive way
• Chicken chat & valid information with the people you visit
• Know the 7 myths of urban chickens with appropriate responses.

Topics include:
• Therapy bird selection & heritage breed tendencies.
• Bird handling & training fundamentals including baby chicks
• Public visitation healthy & safety
• Speaking & teaching on local foods and the role of heritage chickens
• Safe & comfortable transportation of birds

Graduates awarded the Completion of the Therapy Chicken Course Certificate.
Course facilitator Patricia Foreman

6 Classes from 60 to 90 minutes long.

Qualified as one of the advance courses for the Master Backyard Chicken Keeper Certification and Diploma.

• Completion of the Backyard Chicken Keeper Certification Course is a prerequisite to taking this course. This gives you the base for expertly answering questions about keeping and employing heritage chickens and the services they can provide.
  

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Winter Chicken Care & Coop Winterization
Training & Coaching — 4 Classes, Some 90 minutes

Protect your flock from frigid winter storms. Winter care of flocks has management differences from the rest of the year. Learn simple, time-saving ways to make daily tasks easier and keep flocks healthy through the severest of storms. Take this course for the sake of your birds!

"This course made me confident that I'm doing the right things to keep my flock healthy through the winter. It's such a peace of mind. I'd so glad I took it!" Carolyn Watterworth—Ohio

Topics:
• Breed with cold tolerant characteristics
• Winter egg production strategies
• Coop & shelter cold weather modifications
• Winter feeds, feeding & water supply
• Homegrown chicken feed: harvest crops from your garden for your flock through the winter
• Pro-active disease prevention and optimal winter flock health care
• Frostbite prevention and treatment

Students prepare an action plan for their winter flock care and coop modification. Everyone receives individual coaching on what works and what doesn't. Get ready now for those increasingly severe storms and prevent a lot of trouble and harm to your birds later. Course facilitator Patricia Foreman.

“Now I’m confident I’m doing the right things to help my chickens stay healthy through the winter. What a worry-reliever and blessing.” — J. Miller, Ohio

"It was a great class and I have already recommended it to my friends!! Thank you it was very informative and super fun! "— Enza McCauley, Virginia

“The new set of skills this course gave me are invaluable to my flock and helping others in my community with their flocks. Thank you Gossamer Foundation!” — Jud Kirkness, Alaska

Qualified as an advance courses for the Master Backyard Chicken Keeper Certification and Diploma

Tuition only $99 per individual, $150 per family.

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Hot Weather Chicken Care, Coop Modification & Severe Weather Actions, Course with Coaching. Course offered once every year starting in May or June.

6 Classes, some 90 minutes. Listen to recordings at your convience. LIVE weekly Q&A discussions.

Hot weather care of flocks is differences from other seasons. Learn simple, time saving ways to make daily tasks easier and keep flocks healthy through the severest of heat. Individual consultations and plan review. Receive copies of all PowerPoint slides and Q&A recordings.

Topics:
• Breed–hot climate tolerant characteristics
• Summer egg production
• Coop & shelter hot weather modifications.
• Summer feeds, feeding & water supply.
• Pro-active hot weather management for optimal flock health and production.
• Hot weather health care and treatments.
• Severe weather and emergency evacuation planning.

Getting ready now for the increasingly hot temperatures can help prevent a lot of trouble and harm to your bird later. Chickeneers prepare action plans for their summer flock care and coop modification. Individual coaching on what works and what doesn't. Course facilitator Pat Foreman.

Tuition $99 for individual
$135 for family tuition.

Qualified as an advance course for the Master Backyard Chicken Keeper Certification and Diploma