dipper Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 hi all we are new to hens ! but have made the decision to go for it - yday at the nec swung for it for us really after loking at the eglu. I have tried to call this am to order but they are closed ? I wondered how long delivery was ? and i have to say my main fear is attracting rats !!! eeek is this a big problem ? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Hi Dipper!!!! Well done on taking the plunge into Chook keeping, you'll never look back... Omlet is a relatively small company so they are monday to friday people! Not sure how long the delivery is, it depends on whether it comes with or without chooks! I imagine if you source your own chooks it would be faster What part of the country are you in? Omlet have a delivery area of chooks, you can check that out on the website! As for rats ive never had a problem I take all the food in of a night time, and keep a sack of food in a sealed dustbin. Keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidygirlsuk Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 I have seen a rat a couple of times in my garden but its just if we do alot of pruning and we leave it lying around to long. I haven't noticed any difference with having the chickens. I live not far from the NEC in Solihull were are you ? Welcome to the forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dipper Posted June 14, 2009 Author Share Posted June 14, 2009 we are near Derby - and are in delivery area - i can get my own hens but needs to be quick hence i need to know del times - will have to wait till 2morrow then. If anyone can recommend anywhere to get hens in the Derby area that would be fab ? as my source is limited feel better re rats now - thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
house-elf Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 we are near Derby - and are in delivery area - i can get my own hens but needs to be quick hence i need to know del times - will have to wait till 2morrow then. If anyone can recommend anywhere to get hens in the Derby area that would be fab ? as my source is limited feel better re rats now - thanks hi, i live in long eaton, which isn't too far from derby city centre, I am getting some hens from a breeder who lives in long eaton, i can send you the details if you are interested. I haven't met her or the hens yet, but she seems nice and knowledgable on the phone and a friend of mine gets his hens from her and has never had anyh problems. You could also get a copy of practical chicken keeping (i think its called that) - i got mine from tescos ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigopurple Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 i tried to order an eglu from omlet and was told the wait for them was over 3 - 4 weeks. that was without chickens! so i went to costwolds chickens where they had some in stock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Re Rats I am really rat phobic and this was my main reason for not getting chooks before now. I can honestly say that we have had no more issues with rats in the garden since we have kept chickens (usually have 1 a year - that we know of that has to be 'dealt with). The 2 rats that we have had so far this year were both tempted in by the compost rather than the chickens. We do however always keep the food in bins and don't scatter food on the ground unless it is in a small enough amount to be gobbled up in a few minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 If you are in a rush and are not far from Omlet HQ you can always go and collect it yourself! I did that and then there was NO wait and no postage! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Hi dipper, 8 miles north of Derby is Purely Poultry this is their websit. http://www.purelypoultry.co.uk/Birds.html or there is Sunniside Poultry at Swadlincote that I know of http://www.sunnysidepoultry.co.uk/for_sale.htm I have Omlet hens and love them but guess it depends what you are looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dipper Posted June 15, 2009 Author Share Posted June 15, 2009 If you are in a rush and are not far from Omlet HQ you can always go and collect it yourself! I did that and then there was NO wait and no postage! thats what we have done ! off to collect next friday - thanks so much everyone i will have loads of q's i am sure very excited ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Excellent!!! What colour did you get? And what girls are you collecting?? Sooooooooooooo exciting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dipper Posted June 15, 2009 Author Share Posted June 15, 2009 hmm i'm not sure these are right names ?? 1 x miss pepperpot and 2 x ginger ranger - what are thier real names ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dipper Posted June 15, 2009 Author Share Posted June 15, 2009 ooo and Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 hmm i'm not sure these are right names ?? 1 x miss pepperpot and 2 x ginger ranger - what are thier real names ? No, you're right - Miss Pepperpots are the black hens and Gingernut Rangers are the ginger ones. They're both hybrids, I can't remember what the exact mix is. Their real names are the ones you give them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 And 3 is an excellent number!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
