Sooo much pooping

[Dizzy-Deb]

Hi

 

where do you get your chickens from when buying new ones ? do you prefer to go to an established poulty place or private seller. I have seen quite a few on preloved for sale but wonder about if would be ok or not. xx

[Redwing]

If you have a particular breed in mind then the relevant breed club will have a list of breeders near you

 

If you want to go somewhere and browse then a personal recommendation is the way to go. You arent too far from The Wernlas Collection, they have some nice pure breeds, sometimes not the very best examples of the breed but good birds and good condition.

 

Another place to try are the chicken forums or Omlet market place. I'd always choose a seller who is an active member of the relevant forum as they will be less likely to risk reputation by selling poor stock

 

The last place I would go would be the small ads or an auction (although I have been guilty of impulse buys in the past!!)

[coco]

I got my first hens fronm a lady who advertises on Preloved, she also advetises on here. She was lovely and I've had no problems with the girls. I went to have a look first, she had about 200 hens all free ranging that were all well looked after. I would say go and have a look and if in doubt walk away.

[beach chick]

what coco said - if it doesnt look right, walk away. I made a huge mistake getting some girls from a really bad place, and they brought mycoplasma with them. I knew it wasnt a good place, but I let my heart get the better of my head because they had breeds I had never seen before and I naively thought it would be better to take them out of there.

Never again!

[madchickenlady]

I tend to go on recommendations. My local feed store is brilliant for tracking down particular birds, and I've yet to have any major problems

[MarkBevBen]

Hiya Deb

 

We've just got two lovely new girls - Hilda and Elsie, from Thorne's in Hertfordshire. I know it'll be a bit far for you to travel, but they came recommended on here and also by lovely Barbara from Omlet too.

 

We got lots of knowledgable advice from Fred there and he was very helpful when we explained everything that had happened with Cottie and Lottie.

 

Let us know how you get along hun xxxx

[Dizzy-Deb]

Hi everyone

 

thanks for all the great advice . Its much appreciated.

 

Can see its a difficult decison to make as to where best to get some new chickens from. There are advantages and disadvantages for both buying private or established place.

 

Have seen that Wernlas are not far from me, but to be honest it peeves me that have to pay to go in there.

 

I am in no major rush or after some particular breed, and may even consider some ex-bats.

 

Will keep nosing around and am sure will drop on some at some point

[daxigirl]

I bought my first 4 girls off a preloved add. The lady was very lovely and patient with me whilst I dithered about which ones to pick. She had her own birds but also hatched eggs she bought from various places in an incubator. She was happy to take back any that turned out to be cockeralls and didn't mind my stupid questions or keep changing my mind. I wouldn't be afraid to use it again. It's also pretty good if there's something specific that your looking for rather than trawling through lots of websites only to find they don't do that breed (me looking for a Barnevelder).