Chicken bald back

[lyd119]

Hi all,

 

just wondering if anyone had bought some hens at Henley poultry market. If you have, how much can I expect to pay for four POL hybrids, 2x light sussex, 1x speckled (of some sort), 1x bluebelle.

 

thanks, Lydia

[Lewis]

Is that Henley-in-Arden?

I went there to have a look at the chickens and they had a grand total of a pigeon and a rabbit There were some eggs there but DEFRA shut it for some reason or other.

 

We went back home and I searched online and discovered Cotswold Chickens where we went and bought 4 chickens

 

Where abouts do you live?

[lyd119]

we live in Birmingham but my dad who is an ex-farmer will be taking us there to advise us on which hens look healthy etc.

I'm getting so excited, only a few weeks to go.

[Lewis]

You're not far from me then . You could try Ash End Farm.

They have Light Sussex, Speckledy's but no Bluebelles. They do have lots of rare/pure breeds though .

[lyd119]

that looks nice, I think we'll go to the market anyway just in case we find a hen we feel sorry for and know we have to have and will then look further into the ash end place and cotswolds chickens. thanks for advice.

 

Lydia

[sjp]

theres also here got mine from them http://www.oakmeadowfarm.co.uk/

[Redwing]

Poultry at non specialist sales go for low prices, I wouldnt expect to pay much more than £7-10 for a hybrid and £12-15 for something like a Sussex

 

The birds you buy might look healthy but others in the same sale may not so do be careful and never buy anything you feel sorry for (although I did but I am not a good example!)

 

Some birds are imported for auctions and have covered many mile before they arrive there, others are bought at one auction and sold at another soon after so they can be very run down

 

Most auction houses hold better quality auctions less often (such as Salisbury) and even better some hold graded auctions which are speciallist (a few times a year) and thats where the really good stock is to be found

[lyd119]

thanks for all your advice,it was much appreciated!!! will have to about what we're going to do.

 

Lydia

[Willow]

Is that Henley-in-Arden

 

I briefly got excited by the topic title until I realised you weren't talking about Henley-on-Thames

[skye]

Me too! I already had a day out planned!

[Cinnamon]

Is that Henley-in-Arden?

 

Crikey,I nearly had a heart attack then - thought it was MY Henley & I had missed it