TheChookKeeper Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Hello, With 1 chook recently rehomed due to bullying (and rather nasty injuries), and another recently passed on, I am now looking to increase the "flock" by 4, taking me up to 7. The farm near me (Mumbles) I would rather not revisit - I won't go into details, but lets just say I didn't leave a satisfied customer Anyway - I am looking for somewhere to get myself some nice hybrids at POL. I am in West Kent, so Kent or East Sussex are entirely do-able. IDEALLY, I would like to get them this weekend (rather short notice I know... but what can I say, I'm impatient!). I know of "Hen House Poultry" in Teston, Kent, but they now don't have anything for a couple of weeks. Any suggestions greatfully received! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackieb Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Beautiful chickens at Martins Wood in Ripe, Sussex. I saw them there last week. I have ex-batts but if I was in the market for 'new' chickens that's where I would go, and the people there are so friendly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodcat Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 hey kinda depends what you want hybrids or pure breeds for hybrids i use Churchmans farm in faversham but i'm not sure if you will be able to get them this weekend. http://www.churchmans.co.uk/ beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker Chick Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Hiya, I was going to go to to Hen House Poultry a few weeks back but he had sold out, so I looked in the Practical Poultry and found http://www.chickenandchicks.co.uk They are based in Meopham in Kent and I got a lovely Bluebelle, 2 x Light Sussex and a little brown hen (can't remember what "make" she is, sorry ). They have got a lovely set up there and they are very helpful and friendly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky monkeys Mum Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Hi This place is very friendly and clean - best check first though that they have stock as they had sold out in June when we went to buy our first girls! http://www.mantel-farm.co.uk/index.html Di Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 I was going to suggest Hen House Poultry, Maidstone. Our chicks are lovley from there, really healthy not a bit of bother, all very sweet friendly hens. Were very calm & happy when purchased. We hand picked them from a lovely big run which wasnt at all overcrowded. You could give him a ring as he may know other breeders that may have some. Ms Tillysaw2beauootifulcockeralsinaneighbouringvillagegarden ooohhowiwishihadafarm.eeeieeeeio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 I bought my six chickens from Martins Wood Farm. They are now nearly 2 years' old and I haven't had any problems with them at all and they are still giving me an average of 5 eggs per day. They are very nice, helpful people and would thoroughly recommend them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheChookKeeper Posted September 4, 2009 Author Share Posted September 4, 2009 Thanks everyone! My local feed supplier recommended one called New Park Farm, which is just outside Groombridge.... I'll give a few of them a ring in the morning, and see if they can squeeze me in Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheChookKeeper Posted September 6, 2009 Author Share Posted September 6, 2009 Thanks again everyone - I visited New Park Farm, as was really pleased - the chooks had loads of space, and were really healthy looking. My existing 3 came from Omlet, and I'm afraid to say that they were all in a bit of a state. I had 6 originally, and all but one had at least 1 broken toe, and they all have mishapen beaks - look like they have quite a severe "underbite". It was refreshing seeing some hens with all their beaks and toes intact! So much so, in fact, that I relieved the good lady of 4 POL hybrids. Apologies now for the fact they aren't exactly "free range" in these photos... they were just having their wings clipped when I took these... and they don't stand still long enough to take a picture on the ground!! I got: "Afro-Chook" the Legbar... Cleo the Light Sussex... Maude the Blue Belle... Ruby the Copper Black... Yes, I know, someone should probably phone the RSPCA about the name choices...!!! It will be so nice being able to tell them apart... the 3 we have left of the original Omlet Ginernut Rangers all look the same... so had to be named after their coloured leg rings!!! So - showing off of my beautiful new babies over, I shall go again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Wow!! They are lovely!!! Congratulations!!!! I must admit-when my first 3 Omlet girls arrived-one had been attacked in the box, she had pulled out feathers, bruised legs and head, etc. One also had a mis-shapen beak. That was the start of the troubles because 2 out of the three had to be sent back in the end due to cannibalistic tendancies. The new chickens I got recently are lovely. Very calm and friendly, nice and healthy. Your new girls are truly beautiful. Congrats once again and let us know how the intro's go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Congratulations. Lovely looking girls and nice names too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BEAOOOTIFUL C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S ... enjoy immensely !! Ms Tilythinksyou'llbehavingadayfullofaweandwonderment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 + wir Lavender Mabel Marjorie. Ohh Chookkeeper, The lady at Mumbles is going to hensit for me when I go on holiday, will it be ok for my Girlies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Congratulations - your new girls look gorgeous. Lovely photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheChookKeeper Posted September 7, 2009 Author Share Posted September 7, 2009 Ohh Chookkeeper, The lady at Mumbles is going to hensit for me when I go on holiday, will it be ok for my Girlies. I don't wish to cast (too many) aspertions on Mumbles... I may have just been unfortunate, but for safety's sake, when you get them back, I would give them a good sprinkling of anti-mite/louse stuff... we had an epidemic shortly after introducing the new ones from there... it was horrible. Stupidly, perhaps, I didn't quarantine them, and the infection spread rapidly! They all recovered, and they themselves didn't seem too bothered... but we didn't enjoy it much! Give them a sprinkling before and after they go - probably should do that wherever they go anyway! Might be worth giving them a bout of anti-worm stuff when they get back too... just to be on the safe side. I'm sure they/you will be absolutely fine - hope you have a nice holiday!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheChookKeeper Posted September 7, 2009 Author Share Posted September 7, 2009 Oh, and thank you all very much for your kind words!!! After about 10 hours of CONSTANT squarking at full volume yesterday from the existing chooks, they have calmed down now to a dull "bok bok". One of the existing ones did manage to get into the new ones pen today... bit of attacking... soon seperated them again though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
