Buying hens

[lesleygl]

Where would you recommend buying hens from. I have looked on the internet and there seem to be plenty of small holding sort of affairs that rear hens/chickens of various breeds. I am looking for some to keep in my back garden so they have got to be quiet'ish ( I have heard some are noisier than others) - so only ladies. Also what sellers should I avoid.

I live in Bedfordshire, any ideas?

[jimred]

This is not far from you, they have a good name and have some pure breeds for sale this Sunday.

Thorne's Poultry Centre - About Us

Citrus Sablepoot never make a sound,very friendly and lovely, also Pekins

Some of the back garden breeders have some lovely birds.

Plus some of the people on the forum are breeders and are always here to help.

[HayleyB]

There's another place called The Cock And Pullet in Sharnbrook that have all sorts of birds, very helpful too

[lesleygl]

Thank you for some very useful info
L

[Bramble-Poultry]

Can't offer advice on breeders can however offer advice on what to look for.

When choosing a pet chicken for your garden do not necessarily get drawn in by the breeder telling you that they are from a certain line or are show winning stock, If you want a pedigree bird to show and breed from then fine but if you want a pet for the garden then these things are immaterial and do nothing other than increase the price of the bird, she will not lay more eggs because her mom was a 3 times show winner and she certainly will not be loved any less by you and your family because she’s not quite breed standard. What you are actually looking for after you have decided on the breed and colour you want is how healthy the bird is. As tempting as it may be to buy the poor sad looking thing all hunched up in the corner don’t! you are buying a bird that is not right.

A healthy bird should be active moving around and interested in scratching and pecking at the ground. There should be no discharge from the eyes or nose areas and no crossing of the beak. Plumage should be nice and shiny, not be patchy and not be ruffled. The wattles and legs should be smooth and scale free. Watch for the bird constantly shaking its head as this bird has parasites of some sort and should be avoided, also avoid birds that seem overly aggressive towards the others or overly shy, these are not problems that will go away when you get the birds home and will ultimately cause you problems. When buying try to purchase from a reputable source and ensure that your birds have had their vaccinations most importantly Mareks and Salmonella but there are several other vaccines that a breeder may give including Coccidiosis and infectious Bronchitis.

Minimum number of chickens any one should have is 3, and technically the maximum in an urban garden is 6 - I do say technically becasue if you have the time and space available to dedicate to them then have as many as you feel you are able to cope with! but if you are buying a commerically available run then 6 is as many as they will accomodate comfortably!

Pekins and sableppots are nice but as with all bantams they lay small eggs, if you want normal sized eggs you need normal sized chickens, and even large chickens are no noiser than bantams. Actually I have some really noisy bantams as well as quiet ones and some of my larger girls are quite and placid, especially my light sussex and cochins! They are also less flighty. But ask 15 people and you will get 15 different breeds we all have our favorites!

[Bramble-Poultry]

Gosh sorry another essay - I think I will go back into hibernation!!

[lesleygl]

Buying Hens

thank you Bramble Poultry, long essay, but very interesting and very very informative, just what I needed.

Thank you again for taking the time

[Nicos]

I suppose it's also important just to have a look at their skin to see if they have wildlife aboard???? Just a thought???

Also - do other peeps ask about vaccinations and whether -as chicks- they were fed on crumb with medication included???

I'd have thought though if you're buying from a reputable breeder you'd be OK???


PS...
oops- I only scanned your reply BP- at least I'm getting well trained and thinking on similar lines!!!!

[Moony Moon]

Maybe a little bit further to travel, but all my girls came from Cotswold Chickens, the owner Jude is really helpful and they also do some courses too.

[MaureenHall]

I got my first Bluebelles, Black Stars and Basil from Jude too She's ever so helpful

[bluemoon]

I wouldn't completely discount small scale breeders though. There are people on here who raise their chicks with far more love and care and attention than the big places could ever hope to and if you find someone like that who is just selling their surplus then you will probably get some lovely, healthy hens. I accept it's probably a bigger risk though, especially if you don't know the seller personally.

[Eco-Chic]

I bought my coop and bantams from a lady who was having to downsize because of health reasons. I would certainly consider small breeders again.