Simple idea to feed up to 10 families, take a disused or underused piece of land - can be gardens or whatever, supply with simple, fox proof houses with runs, 4 hens in each. Total 40 hens.
This would produce enough eggs, average 30 a day, to supply the ten families.
Care is on a rota, One or two people act as co-ordinators, making sure that someone is caring for any houses where people are away or unable to feed, clean or collect eggs or occasionally move the runs to fresh ground (I'm not keen on static houses, it is a sad reflection on attitudes to hens, they need much more).
Bulk buying on equipment, with houses perhaps made by a local Men in Sheds (click here for info) and feed reduces individual costs and one vet can be enrolled to check the health of the birds. The hens provide an education for those involved.
This could be rolled out as community project using underused school or other land, with one house, on wheels, for the 50 hens.
The law says you can keep up to 50 hens without registration. Larger individual flocks require added costs and regulation.
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