The Poultry Keeper

HelenP · Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Posts: 144 Location: GLOUCESTERSHIRE

I have read that ex battery hens are OK - but are they available because they're nearing the end of their laying life?

What counts as a medium size chicken?

I guess for a beginner that hybrids would be the best option - but where do I get them from. I live in Cheltenham and have a few 'small holders' around but am a bit reluctant to ask for advice as I have bought eggs from them in the past so don't want to 'ruffle feathers!'.

Stupid as it may sound - but how would I know I wasn't being sold an old bird instead of something ready to lay?

Also, any recommendations for getting feed and whether I should go for the dry food (layers mash?) or pellets......

mojo · Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 12:11 pm Post subject:

here goes help i hope...buy Practicial Poultry........breeders and suppliers list at back....................a medium size chicken is about 3 cupped hands in size but dont worry too much about size...colour breed and suitability come first..........you ask the seller to put the approx age on the receipt........go for a comlpete dry food so much easier to start..give them treats sparingly and one week a month 2% acvinegar as a tonic starting when you bring them home....hope that helps.keep askingquestions we will try to help..........mojo

madslg · Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 298 Location: Farnham

Or check out the poultry mart here - suited me very well!

I also have ex batts and it is very rewarding to see them flourish and they lay almost every day - check out my gallery Sarah Goulding for some pictures of them and if you need more info about where to go let me know.

HTH

Sarah Very Happy

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

Hello HelenP and elcome to the forum.
If you wanted to have hybrids ~ look on the meadowsweet website, I think they give you suppliers i your area. I believe there is a lady very close to you. (my daughter was looking for a bluebelle for me at one point and we could only find the lady near Cheltenham ~ but sorry I don't have her details. However, she was very helpful on the phone and would make sure you got the right bird to suit you.)

If chicken is coming up to point of lay its comb and wattles will be starting to become red instead of pink.

HelenP · Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Posts: 144 Location: GLOUCESTERSHIRE

have now been out to a place just outside evesham. They have bluebelles (they are so sweet) and buttercups for £12 each and Black rocks for £8. I had been told you could get chickens for 'a couple of quid' so was quite surprised. Arc is being delivered Friday and we're hoping to get chickens on Sat or Sun. Many thanks for helpful comments/suggestions.

NannyP · Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 7:11 pm Post subject:

Where do you live Helen? I have chickens who will need rehoming and I am not planning to charge?
Confused

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

I'm amazed at the prices I can get the meadowsweets around here for £9.95 each. Black rocks are said to be the very best for laying...but bluebelles are so lovely.

She's up past Bristol near Gloucester (Cheltenham) NannyP

HelenP · Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Posts: 144 Location: GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Thanks for the offer of re-homing chicks but I would prefer, as just starting out, to go for something I've paid for then if I have any probs it would be easier to sort out (I think!).

stamina · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:09 pm Post subject:

Helen,
Sorry did not pick up posting until today.
I have two open days coming up, this Saturday and Sunday, 18th and 19th March. Not too far from you , Poultry Park is just outside Newent in Gloucestershire. Open from 11 'till 5 on both days. I have 12 traditional breeds here and also can supply hybrids at most ages. Hoping to have a hatch of day olds off on Friday. If I can be of any help pm me or my telephone number is 01989 72 1066. If you or any other forum member want to come along at the weekend you will be most welcome.
Good luck with your new birds.
Stamina

fenwoman · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 10:44 pm Post subject:

Since nobody has mentioned it, I suggest you order yourself a book called 'Starting with chickens' by Katie Thear.
Good easy to read down to earth information which will prove vitakl to you with regards to things like worming, delousing, and the dreaded red mite problem. For the £6.99 it costs it might just save the life of your birds.

stamina · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:09 pm Post subject:

Good advice fenwoman Smile

Stamina

mojo · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:22 pm Post subject:

i agree with fenny a book worth having...........mojo

HelenP · Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Posts: 144 Location: GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Thanks for that - my Mum bought me a book by the chap who set up the firm making/selling Eglus - easy to read and informative.

poultry poofs · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 7:15 pm Post subject:

something to also consider

most agents and breeders sell livestock with little or no guarantees as to health etc, most at best ofer twenty four hours return time, if the birds gets sick or dies the chances are they will want a PM done and that will a be a cost that you have to pay, to establish cause of death and who was likely to be at fault if anyone.

small holders are likely to be more helpful to you, but refunds are not given freely, the stress a bird goes through when moved from one home to another can be enough to upset them and cause them to get ill not necessarily anyones fault.

if someone offers you birds local or otherwise for a genuine reason dont be so quick to dismiss them.

weeg Smile

mojo · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 7:34 pm Post subject:

the closer the new chickens live the more used they are to local weather conditions too