BethBubbles Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Hi all! I have planned for some time now to get some chickens when we buy a house. We going to move into the new place before Christmas so I have started researching for the chicken acquisition! Originally I planned to rescue some battery hens and would still like to do this. However, as I've started my research the world of chickens has opened up to me! So, here are my questions: Would ex-bats be ok with other chickens if they were brought home at the same time or would they get bullied? Are ex-bats likely to have any diseases they would give to the other chickens? Are there any breeds you shouldn't keep together? Does anyone know of good breeders in or near London? How many chickens can you keep in an eglu? Or should I get a cube? They're very expensive! So many questions and I'm sure I will think of more! Any answers would be greatly appreciated! B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Hi all! I have planned for some time now to get some chickens when we buy a house. We going to move into the new place before Christmas so I have started researching for the chicken acquisition! Originally I planned to rescue some battery hens and would still like to do this. However, as I've started my research the world of chickens has opened up to me! So, here are my questions: Would ex-bats be ok with other chickens if they were brought home at the same time or would they get bullied? Not a good idea to mix them at first. Ex-batts are often in poor condition and need time to recover and build up some muscle. Conversely, they are accustomed to having to fight for food, so may be a bit aggressive. Are ex-bats likely to have any diseases they would give to the other chickens? Yes. Red mite in particular. Are there any breeds you shouldn't keep together? Not really, with careful management and introduction they should all get on eventually. Some have had trouble mixing bantams and full sized hens. Does anyone know of good breeders in or near London? Can't help you there I'm afraid. Have a look at the breeders list in the Wiki. How many chickens can you keep in an eglu? Or should I get a cube? They're very expensive! I would say 4 max so long as you have a converter on the run and that they can free range frequently. So many questions and I'm sure I will think of more! Any answers would be greatly appreciated! B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyReckless Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Welcome, Beth! Eglutine knows e v e r y t h i n g! she is top knotch. Loads of other people on this forum have been a great help to us all, too. Good luck, and you will never regret getting chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 Welcome to the forum, Beth. Your questions are very sensible and Egluntine has answered them brilliantly as usual, so I have nothing to add except that I'm sure you will love keeping hens and that this is the friendliest forum around and everyone will be glad to help if you have any further questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 Welcome to the forum . Egluntine has indeed answered everything brilliantly so I'll just say, go for it, you won't regret it . You may find this thread useful. It talks about first time chicken keepers getting ex-batts. Keep us posted on your decision! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethBubbles Posted September 24, 2008 Author Share Posted September 24, 2008 I just want to say thank you so much to all your replies. It's great to have a helping hand from the experts! I also spoke to one of the recommended breeders who gave me a similar answer. He recommended getting the ex-bats a month before and said I would need a cube if I wanted to get five chickens. I think I will do this as I want them to have as much space as possible event though they will be free range most of the time. Just want to do the best thing for the future chickens! I will send pictures as soon as we get them! Thank you so much! B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 Plus with a cub you have room for some new additions! Chickens are addictive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 Are you North, South, East or West London? I have had my cube since July, so have had a bit of time to find out where the chicken shops are.... Maybe I could help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickensuep Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 Are you North, South, East or West London? I have had my cube since July, so have had a bit of time to find out where the chicken shops are.... Maybe I could help? I would be interested to know of any chicken shops in South London if anyone knows any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethBubbles Posted September 25, 2008 Author Share Posted September 25, 2008 I'm in East London - Leytonstone. It would be great to get some advice from someone with some experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 There is a lovely old fashioned seed merchant in Twickenham, which I guess is south and west of London. It is called Percy Chapman - they do have a website, but it comes up as selling fishing bait - but they have chicken feed/grit/feeders and the like, as well. There is a Countrywide stores in Chertsey, in the Pantiles Nursery. To buy chickens, unless you find a private person who breeds chickens actually in London (through something like birdtrader) suestorer would have to go Leatherhead or Guildford way (Southmead Poultry, or Golden Valley Poultry), or for Bethbubbles, into Kent (Highdown Poultry, Hen House Poultry). Some of the suppliers of birds do feed and equipment too - they all have web sites. There is K W G Town & Country Store in Ashford for chicken supplies for Bethbubbles. Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Please let omlet know and lisa.pope@bhwt.org.uk about your cube and adoption so BHWT get their donation and just to add the ex batts have had all their jabs before they go into the cage so apart from possible red mite, as Egluntine pointed out, they don't carry disease but may have an infestation. They are generally well but unfit. Happy ex batt keeping Buffie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Never having kept hens before, I have six ex-batts in my Cube and, four months on from adoption, they are six very happy little hens indeed Spoiled, indulged, demanding little madams but very happy and I would highly recommend them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
