The following case study shows the severity of the problem.

Andrei lives with his wife Viorica and their sons. Their circumstances are typical of the families MWB supports in Moldova; since the fall of the Soviet Union, agricultural industry has been in sharp decline and as a result, today there are few jobs in rural communities which once thrived.

Unable to find work, every day was a struggle for Andrei and Viorica to put food on the table and pay the bills, causing them great stress. Andrei took on whatever work he could get – usually travelling long distances for a few hours’ casual labour in factories. But without a stable job, the family’s income was insecure and for long periods they’d go hungry. Andrei says:

“We lived in a run-down Soviet apartment block with one kitchen for 16 families. We were desperate to find a better life and to provide enough food for our sons. We moved to our own place, but there was no electricity and the increased rent meant we couldn’t always buy food.”

MWB were alerted to the family’s desperate situation, and the charity helped to ease their burden by providing the food and winter fuel they needed to survive. MWB’s local coordinator also worked with the family to develop a plan that would enable them to meet their needs in the long-term. With the charity’s help, the family set up a chicken farm that provided eggs; a source of nourishing protein and an item they could sell. With this regular and sustainable income, they’d be able to break the cycle of poverty.

The family worked hard to make their mini-farm a success and eventually, they were in a position to buy a milking cow, some vegetable seeds and tools to grow their enterprise into a thriving farm.

“My sons are gaining new skills and as they get older they can use these skills to support themselves,” Andrei says. “The farm is growing; our cow gave birth to a calf. Thanks to those precious chickens, my sons are no longer hungry, and we’ve been able to do it ourselves.”

Moldova is the poorest country in Europe. 60% of families live in rural regions where many scrape by on the international breadline of just 80p a day. MWB aims to support as many families as possible to achieve self-sufficiency by asking supporters in the UK to pledge £4 – the cost of providing one chicken to a family living in poverty – as part of its Count your Chickens campaign throughout March and April. Visit mwbuk.org/count-your-chickens2 or call 020 7940 1370 to make a donation or find out more.

Starting From Scratch approaches the adoption and care of ex-commecial hens in a unique way by bringing together a collection of keepers personal experiences. The book is compiled by Eirlys Goode, who is a regular contributor to Pocket Farm and the force behind the cages2coops forum, with foreword by Phil Lymbery, CEO, Compassion in world Farming

The book contains chapters covering every aspect of battery hen husbandry. However, you will find that while some of it’s content is necessarily specific to ex-commercial hens, much of the advice and expertise within could just as easily be applied to other breeds of hen too.

The book is available now for £9.99 including postage and packing from Eirlys Goode. You can pay by Paypal or bank transfer. If you wish to pay by bank transfer (preferred) please contact Eirlys at eirlys.goode@gmail.com for details. Paypal transfer is to the same email address.

Pocket Farm readers can win a copy of Starting from Scratch – Adopting Ex-Caged Hens as Pets by answering the following question:

What is the name often associated with commercial hens?

a) William
b) Warren
c) Walter

Send your answers to competition@pocketfarm.co.uk by 30th December and the winner will be picked from the correct entries on January 2nd 2017

All profits go to support battery hen rescue centres.

The survey also highlighted that almost 80% of children say that the school environment is where they learn the most about the food they eat. This research has lead to WWF—UK launching the Plant2Plate campaign which will provide resources to help schools, parents and children to produce and consume food in a sustainable way.

The campaign encourages schools to provide practical involvement in growing fruit or vegetables on whatever scale their circumstances allow – from windowsill, to larger purpose made plots – and provides free information such as the ‘Growing Food at School: Beginner’s Guide’ and the ‘Growing Guide Calendar’.

Plant2Plate has also launched a recipe competition calling on budding young chefs to enter an original recipe made with fruit or vegetables they have grown at school. The top 50 winning recipes will be published in a recipe book and the overall winner will receive £1000 to spend on gardening or cooking equipment for their school.

More information on the campaign and the competition can be found on the WWF-UK Plant2Plate webpage

Renegade Pictures is looking for families who are making life-changing moves to take part in a new documentary series for Channel 4.

Whether you’re following your dream to live off grid, becoming self-sufficient, or making a home in a challenging or inhospitable location they want to hear from you.

They’ll be following families brave enough to make the leap as they leave the UK behind and start a new wild life abroad.

If you’re interested in finding out more please get in touch with the production team with details of where and when you’re thinking of making the move and what stage you’re currently at.

getawildlife@renegadepictures.co.uk

Pocket Farm is kicking off the New Year with its annual competition to win tickets to the Edible Garden Show and Good Life Live event

After two successful years at London’s Alexandra Palace, the show returns to Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire where it runs from 11-13 March.

Perfectly timed for the start of the growing season, it features an exciting array of exhibitors, celebrity speakers, interactive advice sessions and hands-on demonstrations that showcase how to get the best from your home grown produce. From country pursuits and home comforts to food preparation and livestock advice, there is something for novices and experts alike.

The organisers have kindly given us 5 pairs of tickets to give away and to be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following question:

Where will The Edible Garden Show and Good life Live Event take place in 2016?

A) Flintstone Park
B) Stoneleigh Park
C) Center Parcs

Send your answer with your name, contact email address and telephone number to: competition@pocketfarm.co.uk

Final date for entries is Friday 19th February 2016

For more information and advance discounted tickets, visit: www.theediblegardenshow.co.uk.

For exhibitor or PR information, contact Paul Smith Associates on:
T: +44 (0)1420 22532 or theediblegardenshow@paulsmithassociates.co.uk

Red mites are an ever-present problem for many chicken owners with infestations causing stress, anaemia, a drop in egg production and, in severe cases, death.

The Androlis predatory mite attacking a red chicken mite

Originally discovered residing in birds nests, the predatory Androlis mite is simply released into the infested area where it will go to work seeking out and feasting on red mites and their eggs. They do not venture onto birds and die off after about 4 weeks when their food source is depleted. For smaller coops that are cleaned out more regularly they can also be released from slow release ‘prevorus’ tubes (available separately) that can be attached to perches or branches – these prevent the predator mite from being thrown out with the litter.

Slow release prevorus tubes for regularly cleaned environments

One of the biggest advantages over chemical treatments is that red mite can’t become resistant to the Androlis predator meaning you can reapply as often as necessary for effective ongoing control.

Androlis do become less active below 15 degrees C but, as red mite infestations are most prevalent during the summer months, this won’t generally be an issue. This tendency to become inactive at low temperatures does also have benefits though, as it means they can be stored in a fridge for up to two weeks before release.

Androlis will work with any bird affected by red mite and may prove a good alternative if your regular treatment is becoming less effective or if you are worried about using chemicals around them.

The Androlis M size bottle is suitable for around 10 birds

Starting at an RRP of £25.95 Androlis is available in pack sizes to treat 10-200 birds and can be purchased via mail order from exclusive UK supplier Dragonfli Ltd

Do you live in a home you’d be happy to swap with someone elsewhere in the UK for a short break?

Would you like the chance to have a new experience and discover local cuisine, sight-seeing that goes beyond the guide book, and an authentic place to stay?

Pocket Farm readers have been invited to apply to take part in the new series. Whether you live somewhere you have renovated, that has interesting features, or you are just proud to call home you could be enjoying a unique experience in a stunning part of the UK.

The producers describe the show as ”…a warm-hearted series that celebrates the beauty of our homes and localities in the UK.”

Filming takes place over the summer so for an application form or an initial chat, please get in touch right away!

Email: homeawayfromhome@bbc.co.uk
Phone: 0208 008 1468