What and where from?

[pdblake]

I've just asked this over at River Cottage but I thought I'd ask here too:


Ok, I'm completely new to all this. I've cleared a bit of land in the garden that was going spare and have decided that I want some chickens. I've drawn up some plans for a coop and a run following the space recommendations by the RSPCA (they reckon 1 1/2 square feet inside and 2 outside for each chicken), but I've gone a bit more than that and have room for 5 or 6. Ideally I'd like to start off with 3 or 4 layers.

Now my questions are, what egg layers would you recommend, and where do you get them from, bearing in mind that I have absolutely no transport.

I've looked around online but can't find anyone who will deliver live hens and, even if I did, I'm not sure whether they'd be reputable.

I've looked at ex battery hens but am unsure of how long it takes or how to actually get my hands on them.

Any help would be great.

[sheena]

I got my ex-batts within a week of applying, although I had to travel about 2 hours to get them (would of been faster in our car, but OH said not on he's lovely leather).
You can only but try with the ex-batts, I'm not faniliar with Yorkshire at all, otherwise I would of offered to help out.

I'm sure there maybe a fellow member nearer to you than I, they may be willing to help out with transport for you.

But if you're sure you are after ex-batts, you could try BHWT or Little Hen Rescue, they will have details of the next batch of rehoming days.
Ex-batts are great for beginners like myself, at least your more or less guaranteed eggs from day 1 and you get the pleasure of given them a life of freedom.

Hope this helps.

[Suechooks]

I'd say you need a lot more space than 2 sq feet outside. They spend all day out of the hut apart from laying and sleeping.

[pdblake]

Sheena, I'm not sure what I want to be honest. Ex Batts would be nice so long as I can get to them.

I'll give both websites a look and will enquire once I've got a coop and run set up.


Suechooks, I was going on what the RSPCA say about space but I'll be giving them much more than recommended outside. I've just nearly killed myself clearing a bit of garden and there's much more space than I first thought

About inside space. Do they prefer more or less, meaning if I build the coop too big (so I can add more later if I decide I like them) would they be comfortable or do they prefer to snuggle up a bit?

[Snadger]

If its brown eggs you're after, ISA Browns are what you need. Whether they are ex bats or not is up to you! They are egg laying machines and lay about 320 eggs a year!
Try your local free paper which will probably be online as well. Mine is Ad-Trader for this area but it covers Yorkshire as well methinks?
Failing that let your fingers do the walking and use yellow pages to source your local chicken farms!

[pdblake]

Never thought of the free paper, good idea

[frias]

It's not just the chickens you will have to transport. 20 kilos of pellets won't be easy to get home and then there's bedding etc. Wood shavings can come in massive sizes.
The coop doesn't have to be big as my girls all snuggle up in one corner. They do need ventilation though. Whatever size run you give them it won't be enough. My lot are so used to having my lawn as well that they make me feel guilty everytime I leave them in the run.

[pdblake]

The feed shouldn't be a problem. There is an agricultural feed merchants literally 5 minutes walk away

I'm afraid letting them run free is a no go as the garden is also my veg plot but the run should be pretty big and I'm planning on building it so that it can be extended if needed.

[RedThorn]

My girls have free run of the garden, I just net off the veg

[frias]

The feed merchants might know of where to get chickens. I had to go quite a way to get my ex-batts but I've had lots of pleasure watching them learn to be proper chickens. (There's heartache too when they get ill.) Good luck with finding some to suit you.

[Snadger]

There's often ads in the windows of pet shops as well!

[HayleyB]

5min walk with a 20kg bag, you must be fit Anyway chooks like as much space as they can lay their feet on I imagine that the RSPCA recommendation is bare minimum.

[chicken slave]

My girls have free run of the garden, I just net off the veg

I do the same, the chooks have free reign and I work the veg around them. Fantastic in the autumn after harvest as they clear all the bits of veg that are no good, have a good dig in the soil and eat the nasties and always look satisfied with there days work.
I even have a small bed for there spinach as it is there favourite and will jump through hoops for it

[Bephlam]

I don't have a weed in my garden...thanks to my girls!!

I have even considered loaning them out to neighbours at a small fixed price, to clear their weeds!

[Hans Mum]

i got my ex-batts through BHWT although i had to travel to Haslingden for them, dont know if they liberate any nearer yo could check on their website for the local co-ordinator. Ive also got a couple I got as POL from a breeder near Sheffield, whereabouts are you PD it might help us to give you some pointers.