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nikkimckay

Advice for Essex

By nikkimckay, in Chickens, Eggs and Hatching

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nikkimckay Freshly Laid Egg

nikkimckay

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Hello everyone

Not sure how to use this site properly - brand new chicken-and-eglu owner here - so I do hope this comes up properly.

 

In short: help! I live in Romford (no: not asking for help about that although the general consensus is that I should be) and I bought some food, tonic, lice stuff and VermX via the internet. It was a complete pain getting it delivered and I wondered if there was anyone out there who lived in this area and could recommend somewhere I could buy food? Not an imminent problem as I have 20 kg but I'd like to avoid the delivery charges if at all possible.

 

Also, if there's anyone who can recommend a vet to see the chickens - my current vet is ok with dogs, cats and other pets but blanched when I asked if he'd see the chickens if they had a problem. Probably best to get this sorted out now rather than waiting until I have an emergency and go into full-blown panic mode. I'm not good in a crisis in fact, if it wasn't falling into the depths of bad taste, I would refer to myself as a 'headless chicken'!

 

Would be really great if anyone out there can point me in the right direction.

 

Thanks everyone

 

Nikki

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Welcome to the Forum Nikki - we can forgive you for living in Romford (what - who said I spent 13 years in the Romford Drum & Trumpet Corps and I'm still their webmaster????).

 

You need to find a feed store - somewhere they sell horse stuff should do the trick - if they don't stock Chicken feed they are sure to get some in for you.

 

I don't think there is a stall on the market but there used to be a good pet shop in the Rumford arcade - they may order in for you if you asked.

 

Regarding vets - NO vet is very knowledgable about chickens, farmers don't take chickens to vets. However they are just birds and vets see a fair few birds. Mostly they don't need vet attention but I'm sure you will be OK if they do.

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Hen Watch Chicken Addict

Hen Watch

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Hi Nikki and welcome to the forum.

 

I'm not from Essex so can't help specifically. But there is one Essex supplier listed in the FAQ section of the forum, under Chickens and Where to buy feed. There is also a list of Vets on there too. But you may find you have to ring around a few to find one who will look at chickens.

 

Also, do an internet search for horse/equestrian supplies/tack shops. I don't have horses but I get all my chicken feed, corn and bedding from my local Tack Shop.

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Nicola O All Knowing Superchicken

Nicola O

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Welcome from another bunch of Essex chooks :D .

 

With regard to your vet question - I have used Wylie & Partners in Upminster a couple of times and they seem very good, they have a guy who seem pretty clued up about chickenst. They are at 196 Hall Road, Upminster, RM14 1TD.

 

You could also try the WCVS website - if you do an advanced search for poultry vets you may find someone closer to you.

 

Nicola.

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quickcluck Effusive Egg Layer

quickcluck

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Hellloooooooo my vets recommend Wylies also, so i'd keep that close by just in case... Luckily i've only had to go to a vets twice.....

 

AP Mee in North Ockenden sell both marriages and small holders 01708 224666

 

Or as otherwise mentioned any horsey place!

 

How many chooks have you got? A 20kg sack lasts me 4 weeks with 6 chooks who are ally laying.... so you've got time to find out!

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chiocciare Chicken Eggspert

chiocciare

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Hello *waves and shouts* I'm in Romford too :D

 

I haven't had much luck finding somewhere local for food and bedding. I normally end up driving to Wickford where I can get everything in one place. I usually take the dogs and carry on to the beach

 

The vets i use is Lawton and Stoaks in Harold Wood. I've never taken the chook girls, but they see all sorts so I don't think it would be a problem.

 

Lucy

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stoice Chatty Chicken

stoice

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Hi

I have a fab vet but it is in Colchester so too far from you.

Ooooh where abouts is that NC?

 

 

Welcome to the forum Nikki, I'm sorry I'm a little too far north in Essex to be much help but here is a list of most visited websites (Not local though) that might interest you...

http://www.hens4homes.co.uk/

http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/

http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/

http://www.pandtpoultry.co.uk/

http://www.domesticfowltrust.co.uk/

http://www.downthelane.net/index.php

http://www.bhwt.org.uk/

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Olly SUPER CHICKEN!!!

Olly

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Blimey girls, at this rate we'll need an Essex meet-up soon!

 

I buy feed from the Dutch Barn at Epping, or (nearer to you probably) Crown Corner Country Store near Kelvedon Hatch. Their website doesn't say chicken food, but they definitely have it and other stuff, I have got aubiose there as well - worth giving them a ring first of course to make sure they have it in stock.

 

My vet in Buckhurst Hill isn't a chicken specialist, but has been willing to see mine on the rare occasion I've needed to. Welcome to the forum, and to your chickens!

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nikkimckay Freshly Laid Egg

nikkimckay

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I'm so overwhelmed at the kindness of you all. Thank you so much. I hadn't thought about going to horse suppliers and am kicking myself now as it does seem rather obvious. Having said that, I'm quite proud of my hindsight: 20/20 doncha know.

 

I picked up 3 ex-battery hens 2 weeks ago and, to the lady who said the 20 kg should last ages, yes it should especially as I spent the first few days desperately digging up worms for the lasses because they didn't seem to understand that the food I'd bought was actually food. I'm very proud of them now as they went from not knowing how to eat the wrigglies to following me everywhere when I have a trowel in my hand. I've thrown in the trowel and am now watching them merrily eating the delphiniums I raised from seed two years ago. I didn't realise they ATE delphiniums (delphinia?) and am now desperately trying to cage them off. (The plants, not the birds.) My unrealistic expectation of having a show garden at some point has now been comfortably parked as an aspiration. Bit of a relief, really - like slipping into trainers from high heels.

 

Anyway, you've given me some really great leads and I'm thrilled that so many of you have been so kind and helpful.

 

Nikki

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chiocciare Chicken Eggspert

chiocciare

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:lol: I used to dig up worms for my crew too, but its got to the point where is dangerous!!! I've had to stop because i couldn't find the ground for chicken feet and heads, pick up a fork or spade and your surrounded :anxious:

 

I had a lovely garden pre chooks. They absolutly trashed it last year. Not a flower or blade of grass to be seen :wall:

 

I've just spent the whole easter weekend extending and paving their run, reseeding the mud pit that was (this time last year) the lawn and planting flowers in easily moveable pots :lol: This year they are going to be restricted and not take over the whole garden. Thats the plan anyway :whistle:

 

Enjoy your new girls. Happy chook watching.

 

Is wondering if its your chooks I can hear up the road :think: runs in the garden and shouts *hello girls* over the fence :oops:

 

Lucy

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I'm up to try again - we did it last year and there weren't very many of us. We went to Barleylands where they have Chickens! And other animals and a gazillion craft shops oh and we went on a farmers market day.

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probably too far but in chelmsford near the flyover there is an equine stockist who sells feed and bedding for poultry

 

must b somewhere much nearer as epping etc very horsey area :)

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jonnysthedude Freshly Laid Egg

jonnysthedude

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Hi Nikki,

just seen your post. I also live in Romford, and am waiting for my cube, (hopefully next week). Like Olly said, Crown corner in brentwood is great , loads of stuff, different feeds, tonics etc, and also auboise, which sometimes is hard to get locally.

The best way to get there , is round the back past the Bear pub at noak hill, left onto Coxtie green rd and follow signs for kelvdon hatch, about 10mins max.

Hope you are enjoying your chooks, i cant wait.

 

Jonny :D

p.s also Smilers farm in Basildon have loads of chickens (pol) They have a website.

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