Transporting chooks...?

[annie trip]

Can anyone give him some tips on how to spot old chooks? Plenty been posted about how to tell if they are too young but anything other than the obvious about being too old ie;they are breathing!!!

[CountryFayre]

Unfortunately it is harder to tell a birds age once it has reached maturity. In a cock bird the lenght of spurs are usually a good indication, however they can be filed down!
As I said previously, look for birds that have a decsription on the pen or at least a name. Do NOT buy anything that sneezes, has slightly puffy face, looks hunched up, opening and closing their mouths for no reason, has a rattly sound when breathing or generally moth eaten.
Look for bright, alert birds with a clean eye and clean back end. If in doubt ask the stewards if there is anyone around who could give you some advice. Most markets have their regulars who would be happy to help.

[annie trip]

Hi mattw did you get anything???

[mattw]

I have now aquired some chooks, 6 'black comets' from Garden Poultry at Kingsley Cheshire which are some variant of the Black Rock hen. Lisa from GP told me that they were 36 weeks old.

I shut them in the chook house yesterday lunchtime and I will let them out into their new domain today. Within the first few hours they had layed 3 eggs between them Smiley I know that that will most likely stop now for a few days whilst they recover from the shock of being moved but fingers crossed they'll be firing on all cylinders soon.

I am chuffed to bits to finally get some birds and will probably add to the flock soon. I'm sure the blog will be updated soon probably at the weekend with loads of chook piccies.

Matt.

[mattw]

I did go to Clitheroe as well. Took my Dad along (he kept chickens when I was a lad so he knows the crack).

We did spot a couple of cages of Warrens that my Dad reckoned were POL but didn't stay until they went. We got there about 4pm thinking we might have missed quite a bit as I heard that it starts at 14:00 and ends at 20:00 but the actual auctioning didn't start til about 5pm with the rabbits (most went for £1 a pop).
There were some nice birds on display but there were some well past their 'best by'. I'll be going again definately.

Matt.

[annie trip]

Sorry didnt think to say what time, yes chooks are about 5.30 it is an adventure going anyway!!

[mattw]

Sorry didnt think to say what time, yes chooks are about 5.30 it is an adventure going anyway!!

No worries Annie. You're right, it is an adventure. Such a collection of characters there it kind of reminds me of some market scene from one of the Starwars films lol.

Matt.

[Tensing]

They are all like that.