Contact Hook Farm

Hook Farm
London Road
Hook, Hampshire
RG27 9EQ

Click here for directions from Google Maps

Opening Hours

We are open weekdays in the evenings from 6.30pm. We are closed during the day from Mondays to Fridays.

On Saturdays we are open from 11am to dusk.

We are closed on SUNDAYS and BANK HOLIDAYS.

Boarding in and out is after 6.30 each weekday evening and after 11am on Saturdays.

Pet Lovers Emporium

By popular demand we now have a dedicated site to all the wonderful things chicken related and a whole load of other pets as well. You can browse and order online and pay with Paypal, or shop at the farm when you come over.

The Chickenalia site has been upgraded into wonderful things for all pet lovers, not just chickens! Click on the link to have a look! Petloversemporium

Boarding

We have indoor and outdoor hutches for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs, just bring your pet and we do the rest. We even store your carry cage until your return.

Pets with their own portable cage such as Hamsters, Rats, Mice, Gerbils, Degus, Chinchilas, Budgies and Parrots come in their cages and live in the dining room. We can also accomodate chickens and reptiles (not together).

We provide all the food and bedding your pets need during their stay with us. Use the contact button at the bottom of the page to check availability.

Incubators for Sale

We have ex-hire Smart incubators for sale. They are fully automatic and are in good working order. They are £100 each.

Cream Legbar Fertile Eggs

We have fertile Cream Legbar eggs for sale at £1 each. Email to check availability.

Courses

Testimonials

5th Mar 2012

Thanks for a great day Alison

I found it very informative and Alison's patience was endless allowing all of us time to grasp each aspect of the kill, gut and bone process.

I have come away feeling more confident than ever that I care, kill and cook and bone my birds, giving them the respect they deserve. The icing on the cake was having the book to take away. Complete with great colour photos to follow if I need a refresher on the boning process.

Kind regards, Angie

Home > Courses > Pig Keeper Course

Pig Keeper Course £150

This pig keeper course is aimed at anyone wanting to keep pigs for the first time and will give you the confidence to start on a very rewarding hobby. With simple and thoughtful care your pigs will be a pleasure to keep, with the wonderful bonus of all that delicious meat. You will know exactly what your pigs have eaten and therefore know exactly what has gone into the meat you are about to enjoy. You will know the life and experiences your pigs have had and you will be able to taste that in your pork.

The objective of the course is to provide you with all the information you need to keep your pigs happy and healthy. The course has a maximum of 6 people to ensure that it is tailored to each delegate’s needs. The course runs for a full day and will cover the following topics:
The Law on pig keeping
Housing
Fencing
Feeding
Pig Health
Buying a pig
Handling a pig
Slaughter weight
What to do at the abbattoir
What to ask the butcher

Our day will start at 10.30am with tea and coffee and a chat about the course to come. If you had doubts before coming, meeting like minded people will make you feel at ease. We then have a practical look at housing and daily routine outside, reinforced by an informal and friendly classroom session to include pig health. That is followed by a practical look at the rules and regulations involved in pig keeping.

After a pork based lunch the afternoon session will be on what to look for when buying a pig, how to establish the weight of a pig and the practicalities on getting a pig to slaughter. A butcher will then give a demonstration on how to butcher half a pig where you are able to discuss the various ways of using the different cuts. We will end the day with a hands-on time with the pigs and you can have a one to one chat with Boris, our boar. If you have any queries or problems after the course you can phone or email Alison and she will research the answer if she doesn’t know it on the spot.

The cost of the course is £150, to include lunch and a book detailing what you have learnt and a whole more besides. You don’t need to bring anything with you for the course except a pair of wellies or old shoes that don’t mind mud. Further people from the same household will only be £140 each as you will only need one book.

The next course dates are on the right hand side.

Email us from the Contact tab below to check availability and book your place. If you are on the Smallholding Skills website you can book online using the link under the course date on the right hand side. If you aren't on the Smallholding Skills website, but want to book online, click on the link and it will take you to the booking page.

Smallholding Skills

We very much look forward to seeing you on a course soon.

Course Dates