Carole Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Hello All I'm new to this (chickens & posting). I've ordered an Eglu & its arriving on 1st Sept. Eglu can't deliver chickens to my address & have given me a list of recommended breeders.I went and visited one today - initially on the phone he said that people have been taking the chickens before they are ready (27/09) and unvaccinated and I shouldn't do this. When I visited he said I could take them on 1st Sept - it didn't matter that they weren't ready or vaccinated!! I came home & phoned the next breeder on the list - he sounded slightly deranged after I said that I would like 3 chickens, he ranted on about Eglus not being big enough, articles in the press about this and said he would refuse to sell me any chickens. Have I just been unlucky with these two breeders, and what should I do (apart from return the Eglu when it arrives!!) Any advice gladly received please!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 You have been unlucky with these breeders. Call Omlet and let them know about this so that these breeders can be removed from the list. Whereabouts are you? There are lots of people who will happily recommend breeders in your area. For example, I live in Suffolk but I am travelling to Merrydale Poultry in Leicester on Sunday to collect some hybrids for my in-laws. I went to Merrydale for my original girls and Karen, the owner was lovely. She was really patient in the early days when I phoned her with questions and her hens are lovely. There are very good breeders in the East Anglian region too. The Hen House at Diss is a great place. My son's RIR miniatures came from there and they are lovely birds. Let us know where you are and I am sure that you will get lots of recommendations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you've been unfortunate with the two you have spoken to. I would avoid them. There is some anti-Eglu bias about, all based on mis-information and a dislike of anything not traditional, but I've not read any in the press. In fact the opposite view seems to be the one that is published. Where do you live? Maybe someone can recommend a breeder to you. Or why not have a look at the list on breeders on the Wiki **here** If the breeders you mention are on the Omlet list, I'd let Omlet know. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carole Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 Thanks for the replies - I was really excited about getting the Eglu and the chickens (eventually) and this has really made me wonder whether I 'm doing the right thing. I've been reading this forum & everyone seems so enthusiastic and helpful, I just thought all "chicken people" would be the same! I live near Dover in Kent so if anyone knows any breeders near me I would be grateful. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Hi Carole, Could you email details of this breeder to barbara@omlet.co.uk please so that she can remove them from her list if she has them on it. She'll pass the details on to the team at Omlet HQ too as none of them want customers to get a negative response from breeders. Barbara also has a list of breeders recommended by customers so she'll be able to help you with a bit of luck. By the way, did this particular breeder have coops of their own to sell? The negative ones usually do . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carole Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 Hi Kate I'll let Barbara have the details later this evening. The first breeder was pleasant enough, if a little vague. As far as he was concerned it was just the complete turnaround i.e. on the telephone he said I really needed to wait until 27/09 + vaccinations which I was happy to do, then today he said the complete opposite! As far as the second breeder was concerned I didn't get far enough to find out if he had any Eglus for sale, he simply launched off about Eglus only being big enough for two chickens, when I said I wanted three! Oh well I'm sure that I'll get some chickens eventually! Thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brown.l26 Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 hi Carole, i was just wondering when Omlet gave you a list of breeders, I ordered my eglu a couple of weeks ago and have not recieved a list. Should i have asked for this? I ordered on line and there was no where to put a question. I could not order the chickens off Omlet as they do not deliver this far up North thanks Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Hi Linda, Email barbara@omlet.co.uk for a list of breeders. She'll sort that out for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brown.l26 Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 thanks for that Kate, I have just sent email to Barbara so I will wait for reply cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carole Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 I've just emailed Barbara with details of the call & breeder. Can I ask whether the vaccinations matter? I've always thought they were important as far as animals (& people) were concerned. I think I'm going to be asking a lot of questions over the next few weeks & months!! Beginning to get excited again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 I personally prefer to buy vaccinated hens, but many people don't bother as the major illnesses don't tend to be much of an issue in backyard flocks. Many "hobby" breeders, particularly of pure breeds don't bother as the costs are prohibitive as the vaccines have to be bought in industrial quantities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenR Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Hi Kate I live in Bexleyheath and found sourcing breeders very difficult. Eventually found out about Hen House Poultry in Teston nr Maidstone. http://www.henhousepoultry.co.uk/ Very helpful over the phone and e-mail. Went for a visit and the chickens looked very healthy and happy. And Ben was very knowledgeable. We have almost finished our run and are going to collect the chickens on tuesday evening. So will be able to update you then. Sorry you had a bad experience most of people I have met so far in the chickening world seem very friendly, helpful and happy to talk about chickens for hours. Don't give up just yet. Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Hi Carole. I have 6 girls from Ben at Henhouse poultry, and they are the most lovely girls!!! They are all different varieties and different personalities.... Ben was brilliant and very helpful..... have a look at my links below.... Also Southmead poultry were very helpful and golden valley but they maybe too far away, along with eden livestock.... hope you find some chicks soon... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 hi Carole, I'm not that far from you (near Hythe). I got some of mine from a breeder in Waltham near Ashford, and the others from Peene near the eurotunnel. if you want to pm me, I'd be delighted for you to come over and see our set up, look at the girls and the eglus in action etc etc and also find contact details for the people I went to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carole Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 Thanks for all the info & suggestions. I'm going to give Henhousepoultry a call - third time lucky I hope! I'll let you know how I get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 take a look at Bens website also! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfrock Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 I was also going to recommend Ben from HHP - you really can't go wrong with him, and you will see that I tout his name about when anybody local asks where to get their girls. All 11 of ours have come from him over the last 18 months. He has a good stock of hybrids, and has banteenies too. He is incredibly knowledgable and is clued up about the Omlet brand. We enjoy spending time with him when we go to get our hens. he is generally closed on a Saturday but open on Sundays. He really is passionate about chooks, and has many breeds for his own enjoyment that are fascinating to see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Welcome to the forum Carole . Sorry you've had a negative experience before even getting your chickens . Can't help with breeders but just wanted to say don't give up! And don't listen to that bloke, eglus are plenty big enough for 3 hens - it's the run size that is important anyway. Someone on here had 10 hens sleeping in one eglu (their choice ) recently! By the way, if you're getting a run for 3 hens, you might want to get a converter too. It really gives them a lot more space. If you add it to your order now you'll save on the extra postage! Just a suggestion, don't feel you have to . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carole Posted August 15, 2008 Author Share Posted August 15, 2008 Thanks again for all the responses - I'm so impressed by everyone on this forum so friendly & helpful - you've all enthused me again!! I'm going to give Ben a ring & hopefully get my chickens from him. I've also ordered a converter run last night plus some chicken spice and plastic roosting bars (these are arriving before the Eglu!!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Once you have your girls, you will completely forget how horried they were to you, and enjoy them straight away... how long have you got to wait??? what type of hens are you interested in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carole Posted August 15, 2008 Author Share Posted August 15, 2008 I get my Eglu on 1st September & I was hoping to talk about which chickens would be best for me to a breeder but the first breeder said it didn't matter which breed (he had 2000 chickens in sheds) and basically asked me which colour I preferred. I didn't get the chance to talk to the second breeder about breed of birds so I'm hoping that Ben in Teston will be able to help me with the breeds. I'm just looking for personable chickens who are good layers really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 I think Ben would say 3/4 small hens for an eglu... like the mendlesham ranger (gingernut), amber, blacktail and fenning black (miss pepperpot) or coral nick, these lay the most eggs and are very friendly... The blue, sussex, coucou and pied black are bigger, lay less eggs and maynot be suitable, but he will tell you what's best.... Hope you manage to contact him, your date is not far away now, you must be sooooooooooooo excited!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackiepoppies Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Hi Carole welcome to the forum! My DD got her chooks from Highdown Poultry, Linden Farm ,High Halden. 01233 850692. She was very impressed and has bought some lovely hens at a reasonable price. Good luck, Jackiex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayandrob Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Hi, I just had my eglu delivered today, its brill, struggled fitting the converter though but the friendly peeps on here pointed me in right direction. Just wanted to say my Eglu came with the plastic roosting bars which I was surprised at as was going to buy some in a few weeks (hubby banned me from adding anything else to order! I added the converter, spice and other bits and bobs hehe). I will be looking forwards to hearing how you get on. Kay x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scramble Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Hi Carole! Welcome to the Forum, so glad to her that there's a fellow omleteer who is also so enthusiastic about the eglu delivery! And the Chickens of course! Let us know how it all goes! Good Luck! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
