Sageandonion Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 Thought I'd start buying a few bits and pieces in preparation for September when we get our chickens. So just wondering where everyone gets their poultry supplies. Do people use online suppliers or shop locally? Can anyone recommend any online suppliers in terms of good service and prices? Also what size feeders/drinkers should I get - we're planning on 3 chickens? One site I've looked at sells 1kg, 3kg and 6kg feeders. - I have no clue . Finally what do people regard as essentials - apart from chickens, housing and food/water? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 I get my stuff from Flytes so Fancy - they are really quick to deliver and very friendly I think they are quite competively priced as well - cheaper than my local poultry supplies shop. I think apple cider vinegar is a good thing to have - you just add a glug to the water for general good health. I also have a diatom puffer which I put in their dustbath and mix a bit with the aubiose in the cube, I also like the NAF mint and garlic supplement as makes their food smell lovely They also sell cheap peckablock and grit blocks - you could easily go mad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 I got some bits from Omlet and others from Flytes so Fancy. Most of the food I got from a farm shop that someone recommended to me as I do find that the P&P really adds up with the weight of the food Both Omlet and Flytes so Fancy are very quick with the deliveries. I'm really not sure about the sizes of the feeders you would need for 3 hens. I have 4 and I just use my dog's ceramic bowls as they are nice and heavy so don't get knocked over. They do say the galvanised gravity feeders are the best ones if you can afford to buy them. I think the Apple Cider Vinegar is very good to get, as is the Diatom. I also bought some Stalosan F to discinfect the run and some Poultry Shield to spray into the coop after cleaning, which I think is for red mite and other nasty things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 I sprinkle Stalosan F in the run too and Lifeguard is good added to water if you chook is under the weather or it's very hot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted July 12, 2010 Author Share Posted July 12, 2010 many thanks for your replies - have just got the Flytesofancy catalogue for bedtime reading Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 Another recommendation for FSF. We got our henhouse from them along with drinker & feeder. Have 3 hens and the lady, Ann, recommended this http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/6kg_Blenheim_Feeder_with_Rainhat.html feeder. It's absolutely massive - probably too big for 3 but they don't flick the food out all over the place and it has a 'hat' to keep the rain off. I'm happy with it. I got this drinker http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Galvanised_Fountain_Drinkers.html in the 2.25l size. Three hens will just about empty it in a day. Happy bedtime reading! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted July 12, 2010 Author Share Posted July 12, 2010 (edited) I love their hen houses - can I ask which house you have Isabel and how many hens? I'm going to the New Forest show and FSF are exhibiting there as are Omlet - can't wait to see them in the flesh. Edited July 12, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted July 12, 2010 Author Share Posted July 12, 2010 Sorry just seen you have 3 hens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 Hi Jac ... have the Maggie's 6 on long legs. I'd definitely recommend the longer legged option - firstly, there's nowhere for rats to nest underneath it, secondly it's much easier and less back-breaking to clean out and thirdly there's a little shelter under the house itself. We've 3 hens at the moment - an Orp, Sussex and New Hampshire Red but have 2 Pekins joining them so that'll take it up to 5. And I just hope and pray they'll live happily together because FSF's profit margins went through the roof when I started to place multiple orders (one thing led to another ) so there isn't money for another house at the moment. Still, if we really need it .... !! Happy shopping!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlotta Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 Another vote for Flyte So Fancy - I make countless orders with them and actually spent the first day of my holiday (yesterday) going to visit! I live about an hour away and I had a great time! They are very friendly there and the houses looked lovely (if I was after a wooden house, I know where I'd be shopping!) . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
