newbee

[hodge911]

hi all just joined thought i,d say hi and ask your advice.
will be getting the keys for my first allotment in a couple of weeks and was wondering what would be the best chickens to get for my first one,s and are ex battery hens a worthwile option if so how do you go about getting them , do they still lay or is that why the farms get ridd of them what type of price are they etc
i,m in newcastle on tyne
cheers
peter

[Bramble-Poultry]

Hi peter welcome to the Vine

There have been a couple of similar threads very recently try reading "advice needed" (only cos i'm too lazy/tired/mildly alcohol comprimised to write it out again!)

Any other questions just ask and I'm sure someone will answer them for you.

[ginger ninger]

Hi Peter and welcome to the vine, you'll get all the advice and more with regard to chicken matters on here....Boy these guys & girlys love their chickens.

[Suechooks]

Ex-batts are lovely BUT they do have different needs from Point of Lay hens. They are not at the peak of laying or they'd still be in the battery cages. Most will lay well for a few months after release but usually stop or diminish rapidly. The quality of shell is also diminished so even if they lay there may be broken/brittle/thin/shell-less eggs. Some also don't get over the stress of living in cages and being released.
If you want hens just for eggs then go for some Point of lay birds. You can always get a few ex-batts later when you have more confidence and knowledge. Many folk do have ex-batts from the beginning with no regrets.
I love my ex-batts but recognise that they are there as pets rather than producers of eggs. I've had them now for almost 2 years so I'm more than happy for them to enjoy their retirement - after all that's what I'm doing!
BTW whatever you have you need to be aware of predators. The run MUST be fox-proof and you'll need security from 2-legged predators too - I've had 2 batches of 5 birds stolen!
Also remember if you're working you need to get to the allotment twice a day whatever the weather to ensure the water isn't frozen/knocked over and they have enough food and they've gone to bed ok. It can be awkward in the depths of winter when you are going to and coming home from work in the dark.
(I'm not trying to put you off but these are things you need to be aware of!)

[MaureenHall]

Hi Peter and welcome to the madhouse Well it's chookaholics anonymous really!!

Whatever you decide to get will be perfect for you. Like sue said though, if you're going to keep them on your allotment, you really must put security as a high priority. I've got 11 ex-batts and only get 3 or 4 eggs a day from them all now, but they're my pets and I love them all to bits The Bluebelles lay about 6 each a week, and as the Welsummer has only just started, I don't know how many I'll be getting. As long as I've got enough eggs for my own needs, and some to sell to pay for their upkeep, then I'm more than happy.

Good luck

[hodge911]

allotment only a 3/4 min drive from my house i,m not working so time not an issue really
going to see if i can get an old rotovater that ive been given to run today .
allotment will prob end up my second home as it,s got electric and water supplies and three large sheds

[OllieMartin]

allotment only a 3/4 min drive from my house i,m not working so time not an issue really
going to see if i can get an old rotovater that ive been given to run today .
allotment will prob end up my second home as it,s got electric and water supplies and three large sheds

Sounds like the ideal home from home.

I've absolutely no idea about chickens, but look forward to hearing your progress. Please stick around on the vine, too many people come, post a 'hello' and then never let us know how things go. It's a lovely community and very welcoming.

So welcome.

[Suechooks]

allotment only a 3/4 min drive from my house i,m not working so time not an issue really
going to see if i can get an old rotovater that ive been given to run today .
allotment will prob end up my second home as it,s got electric and water supplies and three large sheds

Much like me then! I'm exactly a mile door to door so can walk when necessary. We have no electricity on site - that's a real luxury!
What part of the country are you?
Good luck with the rotovator!

[MaureenHall]

Electricity on your allotment? Wow!!!! I'm moving in

[Eco-Chic]

allotment only a 3/4 min drive from my house i,m not working so time not an issue really
going to see if i can get an old rotovater that ive been given to run today .
allotment will prob end up my second home as it,s got electric and water supplies and three large sheds

Time to sell the house and move into one of the sheds on the lottie I reckon