The Poultry Keeper

jooles · Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 8:03 pm Post subject:

Don't know why I said bark, I've already read somewhere here about not using bark Rolling Eyes

Have already bought a horse Very Happy

Have had her for nearly a year now and she's GORGEOUS! but, unfortunately, I can't keep her in my garden, so my hens and my horse will never cross paths, but have no problem going in horsey type suppliers - any excuse Very Happy

Pete&Jackie - I know Thornes! I went in there a few times when they first opened, but only to look around the plant bit, I don't think they'd got the poultry bit going at that time. I did find their plants, etc expensive. Will PM you anyway.

I'm getting really excited now!

Jooles

Aussie Chick · Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 9:10 pm Post subject:

Hi and Welcome.

I get my shavings from Brickhill Pet supplies, they are on the V10, Brickhill ( near the A5), not too far if you come through Ampthill.

Also the Bell Plantation in Towcester and Lower End Farm in Slip End Luton have chookies. Both very good, PM me if you want more details.

LisaLou · Joined: 10 Sep 2005 Posts: 109 Location: Herts

I've had my girls for just over a week now and bought them from Woodside in Slip End.

They sell housing, runs, straw, wood shavings, corn, pellets and chickens! The housing starts at £180.00, the straw bales are £2.00, corn is £1.50 for a small bag in the shop or about £5.00 for a sack, the pellets are about £5.00 too (Organic stuff is a bit dearer at around £9.00) chickens range from £7.95 for a Rhode Island Red x Light Sussex's up to about £10.00 for Meadowsweets.

When I was there at the weekend they had about 4-5 breeds available as POL birds and chicks for about £2.00 a bird. You can also buy fertile eggs from 50p if you fancy hatching your own!

I originally bought 3 birds but unfortunately one of them had to go back since she was poorly. The people there were really helpful. When I bought the girls they spent ages answering my questions and when I had to return one of the girls the guy I spoke to was ever so good. He didn't make me feel stupid or anything.

A word of caution though, if you buy a RIR x LS from Woodside, they have their beaks clipped to deter feather pecking. There's nothing wrong with this but I didn't know that when I bought the girls and that's one of the reasons one of mine had to be returned. Just check when you get a bird that their beak looks ok and is neatly clipped.

Having spoken to my vet she has said that she's heard really good things about Woodside and my experience was a one-off.

LLxx

Ps: welcome! Everyone here is really friendly and helpful!

Aussie Chick · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 8:07 am Post subject:

Are all their beaks clipped? I thought I would have noticed but the Bluebelle I have from there looks just the same as my pure breeds ( her beak looks the same, just to clarify!!) Very Happy

jooles · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 8:43 am Post subject:

Thanks LisaLou, I'll definitely go to Woodside and have a look. I've passed it many times but never gone in.

Jooles

LisaLou · Joined: 10 Sep 2005 Posts: 109 Location: Herts

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Hello and welcome to the forum. I got some of my girls from Woodside ~ Bluebelle, Daisybelle and RIR/Lt Sussex cross, plus a few of their bantam babies and a beautiful white orpington.
They also have an area at the opposite side of the car park that has odds and ends in at £2 each I think. I looked in there and they had one that I would have loved but I didn't want the other, so I resisted temptation ~ I didn't want to leave one on her own.
Worth a visit, but they're not really geared up for bedding needs ~ I don't believe they have dust extracted sawdust ~ in compacted bales only a small bale which goes virtually nowhere. There is another place, out past the airport in Luton, G Titmuss, I think is the name and they have lots of different feeds, bedding and a horsey bit for ACV.
Good luck and let us know what you get

jooles · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 12:56 pm Post subject:

Ooh, thanks for that Summayah, might have to visit the place in Luton if they've got a horsey bit too! Went to have a look at Woodside, but they didn't have much there when we got there - only RIR xLS. So have been to Thornes in Letchworth and they've got some lovely birds, so, we've picked ours out from there. They're ringed and awaiting their new house here. Very Happy

Knobby · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 2:25 pm Post subject:

jooles · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 4:41 pm Post subject:

Hoping for next weekend

Haven't heard from the chap whose, building the house for a few days. Not sure if I should email him to see how he's getting on. Don't want him to feel pressurised, but, I want my house now!

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

well done jooles, hope you get your house this weekend.

jooles · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 5:57 pm Post subject:

Me too! Sent chicken house blokey an email yesterday morning but have not had a reply yet. trying not to get worried about it. Sad

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

do you have a phone number for him ? Maybe he has been too busy building your house to get to his emails

jooles · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 8:12 pm Post subject:

Hmm... no phone number, just an email addy, but it's ok ...I'm not panicking ... honest violent1

I'm keeping calm, it's not two weeks yet and he said two weeks so I must give the guy a chance.

Knobby · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 8:14 pm Post subject:

Im sure It'll be done in time......If not, theyll happily live in the kitchen !! Very Happy