ooops i've done it again.....more chickens...

Penelope_Penguin

catewithers wrote: »

OK so I'm having difficulty finding a breeder/supplier in my area. I'm in Bristol but more than willing to travel a bit out into Somerset/Wiltshire/Gloucestershire etc. Anyone got any ideas for a supplier? Or does anyone know where I can find a directory of breeders?

Also, anyone got any reccommendations for the best breed of chicken for first time henkeepers wanting an easy to look after hen which will lay fairly reliably? Should we go for bantams or large hens?

Try buying a copy of Country Smallholding or similar magazine. These have lots of small ads at the back for hen suppliers.

As to breeds, this site has details of lots of breeds - take your pick

HTH, Penny. x

catewithers

Thanks for the link - I've already looked at all the different breeds so I know what the possibilities are. I was just wondering if anybody who already has chickens had any reccommendations.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

i think trying to recommend a breed of chicken... is like recommending a breed of dog.. they all have diff good points/bad points etc..

its all down to personal prefereance.....

bantams are good for smaller areas... and are cute.... and lay small eggs... which some people prefer to normal sized eggs.....then some people like the warrens/marans etc... as they are hardy and little troopers when it comes to laying.....

then you got your fancier breeds like the polish etc.... which do need a little bit more looking after.... as if they get wet they are very prone to eye infections colds etc....so need a lot more sheltered/indoors etc.....

and then some people have ducks.... because... the eggs are brilliant for cooking....



lets us updated on what chickens you get... and their names etc....

Noozan

catewithers wrote: »

Ok I know the road you mean - that's the A38. You don't happen to remember the name of the smallholding, or the last place you passed through on your way to it?

Sorry, I don't know the name but you'll know when you see it as it's on backward slope and you can see lots of poultry wandering about in their pens from the road. They have a painted sign to say they have hens etc for sale.

I've never stopped to purchase from them, I only know they're there as I used to drive from Cornwall to Bristol airport several times a week.

Penelope_Penguin

And now the downside of keeping hens. Ours were all taken last night by a fox, we think. Just a few feathers left. I'm really upset, and need to tell the Small Penguins.

We've not had any evidence of *town foxes* here before.

Penny. x

just-saving

catewithers wrote: »

Thanks for the link - I've already looked at all the different breeds so I know what the possibilities are. I was just wondering if anybody who already has chickens had any reccommendations.

I seem to be at around about the same stage as you right now catewithers. I have been talking to different chicken people, visited the Salisbury Poultry auction and I have been trudging through one website to the next wondering what I should get and where I should get my new feathered friends. OH and I keep changing our minds as to whether we should get 5 bantams or 3 chickens and we are back to chickens again. We've opted for hybrids as they are good layers and most seem to have docile temperaments. As for where to get them, we are in Hampshire and have now found a place in Liphook, one in Stockbridge and one in Leatherhead in Surrey. Today is a big day for us, we have finally decided to opt for the place in Liphook and we have chosen which birds we want from the range online. A White Star, a Sussex Star and a Meadowsweet Ranger. I have my fingers crossed that we can get our birds on Saturday. Just need to get in touch with them to see if they have what we want.

Here is a page I used that has a few links to different breeders which I found useful. It may be of use to someone who is looking for breeders in their area.

http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/chicken/Poultry_Breeders/index.php

just-saving

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

And now the downside of keeping hens. Ours were all taken last night by a fox, we think. Just a few feathers left. I'm really upset, and need to tell the Small Penguins.

We've not had any evidence of *town foxes* here before.

Penny. x

Sorry to hear your sad news penny. This is really worrying me at the moment. We are making a run out of mesh with a wooden frame but from what I have been reading on forums and such nothing seems to stop a fox from getting hold of what they want! I brought this up with OH last night as we stood in the garden and he just seems to think that a fox won't be a problem. I, however, have seen foxes around my area and hear that foxes can dig under runs, can open coops that are not locked (literally) and I cannot bear the thought of something happening when we thought it wouldn't!

catewithers

Oh Penny I'm so sorry to hear your sad news. Hope the little penguins are ok. Thinking of you.

Cate x

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

And now the downside of keeping hens. Ours were all taken last night by a fox, we think. Just a few feathers left. I'm really upset, and need to tell the Small Penguins.

We've not had any evidence of *town foxes* here before.

Penny. x

oh.. penelope penguin.... i am so...so..sorry.....

i know exactly what you are going through...... we had one or two visit from the fox..... it is not pleasant at all....i am sure we would have lost more chickens if it wasnt for the dog... as he knew when the fox was around...between 2 and 5 am in the morning.... it was partly our fault.. as we got into the habbit of not shutting them in.....

an old chicken breeder at an farm auction told.... me a few tricks..... i laughed at first.... but it did work.. whether it was just a coincidence or what...

but he told me... to get my hubby to have a wee around the chicken fence.. and also put some of the dog poo around the outside of the fence too.....and i must admit since i done that...i had no trouble with the fox with the chickens again......another old trick is put old dog/human hair around the fence..... but its basically so the fox can smell a dog or human ....and he knows they are a threat.....

will you be having anymore chickens later on ?..if you are might be worth you doing 'scenting thing' now.. so the fox will get the message....

catewithers

just-saving wrote: »

I seem to be at around about the same stage as you right now catewithers. I have been talking to different chicken people, visited the Salisbury Poultry auction and I have been trudging through one website to the next wondering what I should get and where I should get my new feathered friends. OH and I keep changing our minds as to whether we should get 5 bantams or 3 chickens and we are back to chickens again. We've opted for hybrids as they are good layers and most seem to have docile temperaments. As for where to get them, we are in Hampshire and have now found a place in Liphook, one in Stockbridge and one in Leatherhead in Surrey. Today is a big day for us, we have finally decided to opt for the place in Liphook and we have chosen which birds we want from the range online. A White Star, a Sussex Star and a Meadowsweet Ranger. I have my fingers crossed that we can get our birds on Saturday. Just need to get in touch with them to see if they have what we want.

Here is a page I used that has a few links to different breeders which I found useful. It may be of use to someone who is looking for breeders in their area.

http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/chicken/Poultry_Breeders/index.php

Very exciting to be getting your chickens this weekend!!! We've still got to build our house and run but that will be done this weekend so then we'll be all ready to get some chooks. I think we're going to go for hybrids too for the same reasons as you - docile and good layers. Quite fancy some Black Rocks but it seems that there isn't a supplier in this area. Still looking.

I know what you mean about the fox issue too - I'm quite concerned about it. And what makes me more concerned is that because of where we live, if there are any foxes, they'll be urban foxes so more likely to be active during the day. :eek: