Waiau Area School students have been involved in a new business project using their own hens to produce eggs, which they supply to the Food in Schools kitchen.
The eight hyline layers were purchased from breeder Bailey Sanford of Hens at Clifden, who has been impressed with their new initiative.
Teacher Deon Hourston said year 9 and 10 students last year undertook an investigation into the feasibility of having hens at the school.
“This quickly developed into students taking ownership of the project and developing it into a presentation that they took to the Board of Trustees (BOT).
“In their presentation they covered the legality of having hens at school, the cost, the management of the hens, the benefits, a design for the henhouse and examples of other schools who had successfully undertaken similar projects.”
The BOT fully supported the students with their proposal and gave the class the green light to proceed.
Building materials were sourced from timber the school had in stock, and iron was donated by families.
This year the senior agriculture class completed the rest of the project by sourcing the water and feeding systems, as well as the fencing so the hens could be free range.
Deon said the hens are now producing up to eight eggs a day.
“The students take care of the hens and deliver eggs to the Food In Schools kitchen where they are used, and also the school’s food room which uses them.”
A daily tally is taken so an estimated cost/profit can be calculated. Any excess eggs will be sold to help recoup some of the associated costs.
He said at present there are also students volunteering to look after the hens on the weekend, which is helping the school build its capability to manage future projects, which includes having lambs grazing the school paddocks in the near future.
Bailey said it was great that the initiative has been so successful, and was hoping more schools would also jump onboard. If other schools are interested, get in touch!
