Here are answers to some frequently asked questions. If your questions are still left unanswered after reading this, please contact Hatching Networks here.

1. How do I protect the chickens from foxes?

   Foxes do pose a possible threat to chickens, but there are simple measures you can take:

   – Do not to leave your chickens free-ranging without supervision.

   – Make sure your Co-Coop is foxes-secure. Hatching Networks offers a Co-Coop Building workshop to help you design and build one. Please find more information here.

2. What happens when I go on holiday?

   This is exactly why the Co-Coop is such a great idea! Your chickens will be cared for by the rest of your Co-Coop members even when you are away. All you’ll need to do is let your Co-Coop members know and arrange the rota in advance. You might wish to use the rota template available as a Google document here.

3. I don’t have the space to keep chickens, are there any other ways to get involved?

   Of course there are, no-one is excluded from the network once it is hatched! You could volunteer at one of the Community Co-Coops or on the farm. Please visit the relevant pages for more information.

4. Are the chickens kept for their eggs or meat?

   Hatching Networks promotes sustainable practices. A more sustainable re-production process is keeping the chickens for their eggs. However, Co-Coops come in all forms and sizes, and Co-Coop members can agree on this themselves.

5. What if my neighbours aren’t interested?

   If your immediate neighbours are not interested in collaborating over keeping chickens, don’t feel put off! You could still keep your own chickens, or join one of the local Community Co-Coops or volunteer at the farm. You might also want to consider collaborating with other neighbours in your building or street.

6. What if I don’t want to kill my own chickens?

   That is absolutely fine! Hatching Networks promotes keeping chickens for their eggs as this is a more sustainable practice. But if the need arises, the Abattoir Services will arrange for the right solution for you.