Ok, we're getting chooks for Yule, but where to get them from?

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi Gang!

We've finally taken the plunge and ordered a nice big chook house n run (as one of our Yule prezzies, the others are to finish the new apiary and to get another beehive), bit enough for 6 birds, but where do we get the hens from?

Doesnt seem to be much happening in terms of BHWT round here, and we've no idea what type of girls to go for, so any advice on breeds (generally for eggs, but possibly for eating too, tho we arent planning on having a rooster)!

The run is 9' by 6' by 6' (a walk in one!) and they will be housed in our secure back yard, so should be fairly safe (we hope). We do however have a large boisterous dog that they will have to get used to, so any info or advice on acclimitising the dog would be useful!

Looking forwards to joining in with all the chicken chat on the vine!

[Snadger]

Not before time anall!

Try the local free papers, failing that contact local poultry farms.
If you want pure breeds have a look at the many places flogging chooks online!

[lynda66]

theres a guy in stockport i got my chicks off that had lots of different breeds can find his number if you want it ....

and from having different breeds, personally i would definitely go for marans, they are lovely friendly and lay lovely dark brown eggs

decides not to mention all her girls are going this weekend .... bugger xxx

[tlck9]

Check out the local papers, there were tons in the Cornish Guardian this week (although I know its not local to you) other areas must have similar adverts

Seems quite a lot of rescues are going on as well

[Nicos]

Ahh..well- your life will never be the same!!!!!


...wonderful move!!!!

[dexterdoglancashire]

Your life will never be the same again! I cant remember life before Lynda gave me my girls. Best thing I ever did! They are fantastic and I love them to bits! Looking forward to seeing photos and hearing all about your girls.

PS If you cant find anywhere local I believe there are a couple locally round here in Preston if you want - Ive visited one chap and then there is a place just down the road from Overwyregrower - if you want the details PM me and i'll find them.

[Glutton4...]

Well done Mrs D!!!

I have a selection of ex-batts, ex-free rangers, Marans and neighbour's cast-offs - the Marans are the prettiest, but scatty, the ex-batts/rangers are the plainest but just the best little characters.

Before I got the Marans, I checked the classified ads in PP and also 'Googled' Chickens Essex and narrowed it down from there - you could try the same for your area.

Good luck with your search

[Mrs Dobby]

Thanks for all the advice and nice comments guys, we're pretty excited about the whole thing, cant wait for the run to arrive n then get some girls to go in it!

This is the run we've gone for, I know we could build one, but both working full time and with 2 full plots plus the beekeeping, time isnt forthcoming at the moment! (Plus we got it for a fraction of its value)



Its 9' long, 6' wide and 6' tall, has a full size pull out cleaning tray and perch, big nest box and should hold 6 girls, we're going to site it in the back yard, probably on top of a couple of courses of bricks (so I can stand up in there!), it does mean the back yard will be pretty full (there's already a 6' by 8' greenhouse and a garage out there), so not sure if we'll have room to do much out there, but a small price to pay for having the chooks!

[MaureenHall]

Well done Mrs Dobby You could try this site Poultry for sale and wanted on Poultry Ads.co.uk - Free Advertising of Private / Trade / Breeder birds on Poultry Ads UK, I've advertised on there and if you're after a specific breed it's not a bad starting point

[Hans Mum]

well done in deciding to join the club, you'll never regret it... just 1 thing Mrs D if you stand it on brick could that not allow a fox to get in? just a thought...

[HayleyB]

Welcome to the club Mrs D

[Mrs Dobby]

Thanks for the welcomes guys!

The bricks will be mortared down properly, with the run screwed to it, so hopefully it will be fox proof!

Thanks for the chook links, will check them out asap!

[Eco-Chic]

If you get chooks half as lovely as my Maude, Myrtle and Madge (well, perhaps Madge's attitude needs tweaking just a bit) you'll never regret it.

I would never have believe that chickens could have such individual and huge personalities

PLUS scrumptious eggs too!

[Hilary B]

Good idea re-bricks. Not only will it give you those few extra inches of height, it will get the wood at the base of the thing up out of the mud, slowing down any risk of rot!

[Dobby]

ooo now talking about having ducks at the side of the house, who says you need a smallholding.