seraphine Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 What did you do and why? Following on from my post below about Omlet not having any Gingernut Rangers available and some replies indicating the Miss Pepperpots might not be so friendly (I've found a couple of links from Google suggesting the same), I'm considering sourcing chickens from elsewhere. Thing is, what appealed to us about the Omlet service was everything being delivered together all at once and it being 'easy' - at least to start with! I really wouldn't know where to start buying chickens elsewhere, what breeds to go for, what to look for etc. Any advice? Thanks so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 I still think for a starter its best to go with Omlet's hens, as you say its easiest. I sourced them myself as I bought bantams the first time round, then bought 4 hybrids from Cotswold Chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 We got our original two girls from Omlet (one Gingernut, one Miss Pepperpots). Both were very friendly chooks. I think how friendly comes down to how much time you can dedicate to them in the first few weeks and months. Lots of TLC and they will become very tame very quickly. If left to their own devices, then perhaps not so. When we sourced our second set of chooks we went to a local breeder, but by then we knew a lot more about chicken keeping and felt confident about making the 'right' choice (which we undoubtedly did). For our third set we came across our two Pure Breed Buff Orpingtons by accident . We didn't venture out that day with any thoughts of buying chooks, but fell head-over-heals for the breed when we happened across them. A sort of 'chicken of fate' moment, if you like (except we brought them!). Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieadams Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 We're not in the delivery area so had no choice but to go to a local breeder and it was no bother at all once we'd found one! Was lovely to take the children to choose the very chickens they wanted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scramble Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 I sourced them myself Two ickle pekins, one form Alison's Poultry, on from Perfect pekins 12weeks old but I think that they were easy for a beginner as ther were only bantams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 We are slightly out of Omlet's area so sourced our girls ourselves. Just went along to a farmer (having phoned first!) and picked 3 that looked nice . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Why not have one Miss Pepperpot and source 2 yourself? So long as they all go into the eglu at roughly the same time it shouldn't be a problem, and if you have one hen from Omlet they'll still put the eglu and run together for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 HI i got a and as I didnt want to build it myself I ordered 2 with the cube and was pleasantly suprised how pretty they were. A couple of days before I also picked up form a breeder 3 other different hybrids. I went for hybrids as I believe they are a bit hardier. I dont notice the difference with them and just put them all intogether from the start..... they were all about 19 weeks. So I did a bit of both. All healthy etc and I didnt think they were that expensive to buy. The pure breeds usually a bit more money and less eggs I believe? I dont think it makes much difference but as I never kept chickens before the omlet man did demo to me how to clip wings etc(which I may do if they free range) You are going to be spoilt for choice as there are now lots of other breeds I wouldnt mind having too.. good luck indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 I sourced myself as really wanted 4 different girls.. found local supplier of the usual hybrids and have been delighted with them! Just do what feels right for you.. it might be worth going and visiting a breeder / supplier to have a look , if you find a good one they are usually really helpful and show you handling and how to pick a healthy bird. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 I was given 3 Poland Bantams that a local school had hatched - then I had to find somewhere to keep them - so I got the eglu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ness3103 Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 i'm getting mine from southmead poultry. i was going to get the omlet ones because i thought it would be better to have it all set up for me. but then i was very lucky to visit two eglu owners who had different breeds and i decided i wanted 4 different ones. i also got a feeling that the omlet ones didn't seem to last long either dying or getting sick. southmead was recommended and i have to say that they have been really helpful and answered all my no matter how silly they've been i can't wait til 29th to pick my girls up. so shop around a bit before deciding. i've never had chooks either but am looking forward to choosing my own rather than having what omlet pick for me . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Hi Did Omlet not give you a list of recommended breeders for your area. They emailed me a list of local breeders and I went along and chose 1 gingernut and 2 Pepperpots Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I got mine myself also from Ben at hen house poultry. I did this one because the of the timing of it all, and I wanted them all to be different so I'd be able to tell them apart!!! I'm pleased I did as it's lovely to look at all the different colors mooching about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Have you been to a hen party yet? Maybe cuddling other peoples chickens will help you see what you like? I hadn't discovered this site when i was thinking of doing a chicken keeping course so i found one privately, but it gave me the confidence to handle chooks and ask the right questions when buying any. (Or at least understand any terminology breeders were saying to me) Not sure where in London you are but here in Essex is good... http://www.hens4homes.co.uk/ she runs through what to 'do' with a chicken and lets you pick any chicken you'd like to create your own flock. You'll find every hybrid has a different name depending on where you get it. A Miss Pepperpot is a black rock type chicken for example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 At the top of this page on breeds are lists of birds for sale too may be worth having a look. good luck its so wonderful going to get your first birds and they are so easy to look after. Great pet with added egg benefits indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Lots of people source their own hens and I always show them what to look for, so that they can be sure to buy hens in good condition. Talking about choosing your own - I was once asked by a little girl whether they 'came in pink' Bless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleleicesterfox Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I've sourced them myself - I've got a couple of good local breeders and I went to see her for advice before I got the cube and then walked away having made the orders (hubby was not impressed when I finally told him!). I can't say anything about the quality yet as I haven't got them yet but I know that another omleteer on here has bought from the same breeder in the past and recommended them so they should be OK. I'm so excited! I can't wait for my chooks to arrive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ails Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 We found a friendly local breeder off the recommended list that Omlet sent to us, had a chat with the owner via email then because she sounded so helpful we decided to source our own and I would definitely recommend it! We had a fantastic time wandering round looking at all the different breeds and finally, after a lot of decision, chose 3 different breeds. The breeder kindly clipped the wings for us too so we were all ready to head home and pop them in their Eglu run. I think if you have kids then it would even more fun to take them along to actually choose the chickens that they are going to be looking after. Go for it - you don't get to choose your chickens every day so I would recommend you go and source your own or get 1 Omlet hen and source the rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Go with whatever you feel most comfortable with. I got 4 hens from Omlet 2 years ago as I had never kept chickens before and trusted them. I made the right decision for me at the time. Sadly one died, and after only 1 month of chicken ownership I was confident enough to get a replacment myself from a Meadowsweet agent. But personally I could not have done that from the outset. So for me, I made the right decision at the time to go with Omlet, the gingernuts are very friendly and the pepperpot is too (just a little more nervy if I try to catch her, but she is the best looking of the lot and I would not be without her). Using the human baby analaby, you know how everyone says, if only I knew then what I know now I'd do it differently or have more confidence, well....... I feel the same about chickens. I never would have got them if Omlet had not supplied the complete packgage. But if I had my time over again, I would get pure breeds (which have an egg laying rest in winter) and go and source my own. That is what I intend to do when my Omlet ladies pass over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Am out of the area for delivery so sourced myself - wanted black rocks as hardy for our cold climate and they are great and so nosy and friendly - too much so at times. I had to go to a selected keeper of chickens as the black rocks only some form one place and are sent out as chicks to lots of people who rear them and sell them.m They were ready picked out for us and have landed with a big one, a middle sized one and a small one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
