We’re all conscious of our food miles these days, but here’s a radical idea: keep your own chickens. The unique event Hens and Gardens this weekend suggests it’s easier than you think.

Did you know that the average egg consumed in the UK has travelled 111 miles? And that we import more than 2 billion eggs every year? That’s quite a journey for a small oval food that once only had to travel from the back yard to the kitchen table.

The annual event Hens and Gardens at Great Comp Garden in Platt this weekend, however, aims to encourage egg lovers to either buy locally or to embrace smallholding at home. On Sunday, June 16 it will show how easy and eco-friendly it can be to keep chickens.

With more than half of all eggs in the UK and 90% worldwide being laid by hens in cages, creating spaces for chickens to enjoy the outdoors and our gardens is something the team at Great Comp want to promote.

The birds themselves are the stars of the show this year, and it’s a one-off opportunity to see a range of different birds for sale. William Dyson, poultry breeder and garden curator, said: “There are no events quite like the Hens & Gardens Show where you have so many different breeds under one roof or in a single garden.”

Among the chickens on sale and display will be Cukoo Marans Bantam, Pekin Bantam, Buff Sussex Bantam, rare French Hergnies, Silkie Bantams and Croad Langshans as well as hatching eggs to take home too.

William added:“Be sure to bring your pet carrier because it’s unlikely you’ll be going home empty handed when you see the magnificent birds on site.”

Informative displays by the Kent Poultry Club and Kent Smallholders and poultry expert Priscilla Middleton will be on hand along with poultry specialist and garden writer, the Telegraph’s

Francine Raymond.

DETAILS

Hens And Gardens will be held in the grounds of Great Comp Garden in Platt, near Sevenoaks on Sunday, June 16 from 11am to 5pm.

Lunches and teas will be served in The Old Dairy Tearoom. Entry costs £8.50 with under fives going free. Find out more at greatcompgarden.co.uk

RARE BREED

A breed of bird listed on the ‘at risk’ list by the Rare Breed Survival Trust, and whose origins lie in China, will take star billing.

Introduced to the UK in 1872 by Major Croad, the Croad Langshan originally hails from the Langshan, north of the Yangtze Kiang river in the north of China.

On Valentine’s Day, 1872, Major F T Croad took receipt of a new breed sent to him by his nephew. Despite the long journey, the birds began to lay just two days after arriving in the UK.

The breed, which lays more eggs than an average pure breed, is a fantastic specimen.

Paul Cooper, club secretary for the Croad Langshan Club said: “They are a lovely docile large breed with a U shape - where the tail and head are in line with each other.

“The Croad Langshan Club is now thriving in the 21st century. The survival of the breed and club are due to the knowledgeable and skilful breeders who maintained the purity of Croad Langshans

over the years, and brought their knowhow to the club.”

The club celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.