CHOOKS EGGS-ACTLY THE PET YOU NEED

MANY people might think she’s clucking mad, but Elise McNamara is crazy for hens.

The Teesdale poultry expert, pictured, first fell in love with chickens as a child when she bought a box of chooks from a Colac train, which used to deliver chickens to the station. Now Ms McNamara is helping local families live a more sustainable life by helping them set up hen homes in their backyard.

The self-professed chicken coach said having chooks in the yard could reduce anxiety, curb depression and help families cut food waste.

But Ms McNamara said many city dwellers who owned chickens didn’t know where to go for help when they needed it.

“A lot of people think having chickens is really easy and they can be — but when people have trouble they often don’t know where to go for help,” Ms McNamara said.

“There is so much misinformation out there and it’s about helping people with practical solutions that work and advising people on feeds, coops and supplements to increase health and production.”

Ms McNamara, who also runs chicken workshops, said many young families were getting chickens in a bid to live a simpler and more sustainable lifestyle.

But though they can be man’s best friend, she said those looking to adopt a hen must understand that: CHICKENS don’t lay eggs all year round; MANY chickens don’t like to be handled, and; CHICKENS can be trained.

Ms McNamara said anyone thinking about fostering chickens should research different breeds and get help from an expert.

“We are seeing some outstanding set-ups to house chickens and they can be simply beautiful,” Ms McNamara said. “Chickens aren’t just great for the management of our food waste and producing eggs, but also for our mental health and wellbeing, just as any pet is.”

To find out more visit: chickencoach.com