LisaP Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 Sorry if I'm repeating a thread here - I know I've seen the name on here before but of course can't find it now . Anyway just been looking at their website which looks good, but just wondered if anyone has dealt with them and would recommend them. Thanks LisaP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 (edited) I bought my last three from Southmead and found them excellent. All of their stock was in good condition and Tracy Farr, who owns it, is very friendly and helpful and is happy for you to ring with any queries - both before and after the sale. Edited April 12, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 Another recommendation here. I was going to buy a bluebelle from her to coincide with me getting my Wernlas girls, but hers weren't ready when I was. I was very disappointed as she's great and her birds are lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane 20 Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 I have got three girls on order with Tracy - two skylines and an amber star for collection in May I have been waiting for a few months - she has always been very helpful whenever I have rung. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovemychooks Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 (edited) I have had 5 chickens from Tracy at Southmead. I'm also getting 2 more at the end of April. I would highly recommend her and is quite happy to answer any questions you have, go for it ! Edited April 12, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noodle Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 I would not hesitate to recommend Southmead Poultry. Tracy runs a fab place and is extremley helpful. I have had three chooks from her over the past 6 months. My new Amber Star is the most lovely gentle bird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FORENSICA Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 Another recommendation here Got my girls from them 3 weeks ago, all happy, healthy and very lively. Just to let you know that Tracy is actually not breeding the chickens, she is buying them from somewhere (as I understood from emails from her). But that does not matter, the chooks are great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimW Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 They are great, our Bluebelle came from there and she is in perfect condition. I would not hesitate, and Tracey is really nice and helpful.................Go on, go for it, you will be pleased with your hens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilda-and-evadne Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 They are great, our Bluebelle came from there and she is in perfect condition. I would not hesitate, and Tracey is really nice and helpful.................Go on, go for it, you will be pleased with your hens. Why does their web site say that Bluebelles are not suitable for the eglu - are they too big? http://www.southmead.dsl.pipex.com/Breeds1.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovemychooks Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 They are great, our Bluebelle came from there and she is in perfect condition. I would not hesitate, and Tracey is really nice and helpful.................Go on, go for it, you will be pleased with your hens. Why does their web site say that Bluebelles are not suitable for the eglu - are they too big? http://www.southmead.dsl.pipex.com/Breeds1.htm I got a Bluebelle from Tracy who looked big but was probably mostly feathers so i'm not sure why she says that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 Why does their web site say that Bluebelles are not suitable for the eglu - are they too big? http://www.southmead.dsl.pipex.com/Breeds1.htm That is strange, I wonder what the reason is? It can't be the size, like most of our hybrids they are medium, and the site says the Amber Star is "the same size as the Bluebelle", but doesn't mention the Eglu anywhere except against the Bluebelle. So, no idea why; I have a Mendlesham Blue (which is the Meadowsweet version) & she loves Eglus and is a wonderful garden hen. If anyone asks, I'd be interested in the answer. Anyway, glad you are all pleased with this supplier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimW Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 No idea! Our Bluebelle is fine with all our other hens but they do live in a Cube not an Eglu with a 15ft 7in x 15ft run! She is also the same size as our other birds (apart from the bantams of course). Why don't you give her a call and ask, she is very helpful and will be able to tell you, then you can tell us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Brown Clan Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Hi would also highly recommend southmead poultry we collected our 3rd clucker (pebbles) sussex hybrid from them and Tracy was very helpful and offered lots of advice the only problem was which one to choose ..... Thank you Tracy if you read this she is settling in nicely pictures on gallery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieSB Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 I chatted with her on the phone, and she seemed delightful. Her website is very informative about how the birds are raised and treated. And she must be very popular, as her stock goes fast. I checked on Saturday and saw a notice that new birds were available starting this past Sunday -- by Monday morning, all but one breed has been sold out and no more available until mid-July! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackiet Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 First time chicken keeper here. Got my girls from Tracy last month - two red rangers and an ISA brown. They are doing really well, laying steadily including the odd double yolker. Tracy was a great help and her stock all looked really fit and well. Very tempted by the ducks too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southmead Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Hello everyone So glad I have been able to help so many of you find your new found friends! Chickens are GREAT and such a joy to have. The BlueBelle/Belle Blue is a large/wide shouldered bird and takes up a lot of room in the standard Eglu, so three birds (one or more of them being a BB), is in my opinion only, a little cramped, especially if you are at work all day (as most of us are) and they are not let out as often as you would like for them to run more freely. Cramped conditions for chickens cause pecking problems, and if I can help people avoid problems, then I will. Of course the choices is as always up to you, and whether you take my advice again, is entirely up to you. The BB in the Cube is fine. Happy chicken keeping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 They are great, our Bluebelle came from there and she is in perfect condition. I would not hesitate, and Tracey is really nice and helpful.................Go on, go for it, you will be pleased with your hens. Why does their web site say that Bluebelles are not suitable for the eglu - are they too big? http://www.southmead.dsl.pipex.com/Breeds1.htm I can say from personal experience that Bluebelles fit fine in a (mark II certainly) Eglu. I'va had three in mine at one go, and they were three big gorgeous girls, with plenty room to spare. They were in an extended run, but fitting in the actual eglu was not a problem at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieSB Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Well, I guess a lot depends on the individual birds then-- does it? Because I have a cube and 3m of run -- should be plenty of space -- but one of my 3 gals was getting incredibly stir crazy nonetheless (they came from a farm where, until I picked them up, her flock was free ranging in a large field). She started walking incessantly about the perimeter of the run, clucking nervously, constantly turning her head one way or another, as if trying to find a way out. She upset the pecking order and challenged the top chook and took over the top spot, via a lot of bullying. And jsut couldn't settle inside those 3m. So I had to get netting to give them a pen to run about in day time. Now everyone is fine. But that is 3 chickens in all that space. I can see how larger breeds in an Eglu, mark 1 or 2, can be very cramped indeed. So, yes, I do suppose it's wise to heed the advice and experiences of others but to be very mindful of your particular birds' behaviour. I know my three are gals are big and getting bigger, and they would go mad in an Eglu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surrey_chickens Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Another thumbs up for Southmead. The couple were very helpful with us taking time to ensure that we got the best chickens for us. The chickens were pre-vaccinated and are totally delightful. We still buy our feed from them as well. Their prices are very good and I'm happy to give them our custom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Hello everyone So glad I have been able to help so many of you find your new found friends! Chickens are GREAT and such a joy to have. The BlueBelle/Belle Blue is a large/wide shouldered bird and takes up a lot of room in the standard Eglu, so three birds (one or more of them being a BB), is in my opinion only, a little cramped, especially if you are at work all day (as most of us are) and they are not let out as often as you would like for them to run more freely. Happy chicken keeping! Hello Tracy. How lovely to see you on here! Everyone: - I have bought 3 sets of hens from Southmead. I haven't had any problems at all with them - all very happy and healthy birds. I would - and do - recommend Southmead to anyone living near enough to get there! I have a Bluebelle in an Eglu too with a very large Speckledy and a Sussex plus two Amber Stars. They choose to sleep together so they must be happy. They have a large run though, not the eglu run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Is there a difference in the inside-size between a Mark1 and Mark2 Eglu? I seem to remember that you cold only have 2 chooks in a Mark 1 but 3 in a Mark2. That may be a reason for the differences in opinions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yolky Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 If the run was the issue rather than the sleeping area the basic cube run is not much bigger than the eglu basic run and if you had a cube you would be more likely to have more chickens. So I think it should go more on if you have converter/extenstion rather than the sleeping area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Is there a difference in the inside-size between a Mark1 and Mark2 Eglu? I seem to remember that you cold only have 2 chooks in a Mark 1 but 3 in a Mark2. That may be a reason for the differences in opinions? The Mark 1 is a little smaller. Mine is out on loan otherwise I'd measure it. I have 2 Bluebelles and an Amber Link in my Green Mark 2. There is ample room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
