Chicken deficient Posted October 28, 2010 Share Posted October 28, 2010 Does anyone have any experience of getting hens from either of these? I've looked round Thornes before, but live a bit closer to Mini Meadows, which I've not been to before. I just wasn't sure which would be better to get hens from? I'm looking for healthy, happy hens and friendly people to buy them from! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted October 28, 2010 Share Posted October 28, 2010 My friend has recently bought 6 hens from Thornes and they are lovely, she says everyone there was really helpful. She has a lovely skyline that lays blue eggs (go for a darker one if you want blue) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 28, 2010 Share Posted October 28, 2010 Thornes is good - its always been clean and the hens always look healthy when I have visited I've not been to Mini Meadows - maybe just go for a look around and see what you think, their range of birds looks impressive I wouldnt recommend Buckingham Nurseries or Bell Plantation - nothing wrong with these places as such, the hens seem healthy but hens a bit squashed in and runs not the cleanest which doesnt make for the best buying experience If you are after hybrids then I would thoroughly recommend Cotswold Chickens near Banbury, well worth going there - the shop is also very good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken deficient Posted October 28, 2010 Author Share Posted October 28, 2010 Thanks, Cotswold Chickens looks very nice, but I don't think the ickle sproglet would cope very well with the long journey there and back. Thornes do have more hybrids to choose from that Mini Meadows, but then I'd love to have a look round anyway at all their pure breeds. Maybe I can add in going to two chicken places as part of the chicken birthday present... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted October 28, 2010 Share Posted October 28, 2010 I have bought 10 of my girls from Thornes but I am going to Mini Meadows Farm on Saturday morning to hopefully get 4 new girls...I have spoken with Ben on the telephone and I am looking forward to going to see the set-up there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeckyBeak Posted October 28, 2010 Share Posted October 28, 2010 (edited) Went to Mini Meadows last Saturday, hell of a job finding it, had to ring for directions 5 times as we were going around in circles, Ben had to stand in the middle of the road and wave to us when he saw us. Their field is where the chooks are, and it isn't sign posted. Make sure you take a note of their phone number with you. Their site is still being developed but they have a lot of chooks and choice, although Ben said currently less than earlier in the season. They have some breeds that are not mentioned on their web-site. The chickens looked in very good condition. He was very helpful and patient, we didn't get there until about 30 mins after their advertised trading time but he waited for us. The hybrids are about £20 and the pure around £25 depending on what it is. They had some Silver Wyandottes and a few other breeds that Wernlas have a long waiting list for. We came away with a Buff Columbian Brahma bantam, a Ancona bantam, a Copper Blue Maran LF and a gorgeous Salmon Favorolle LF. Edited October 28, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted October 28, 2010 Share Posted October 28, 2010 (edited) I am expecting to pay £15.00 for each hybrid Edited October 29, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 I got both my cochins from Mini Meadows earlier this year and was very impressed with how well the chooks were being kept. Ben is a lovely chap and extremely helpful if you get lost - We met him at his house and followed him from there! Have a great time wherever you go - choosing chickens is one of the best things ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 (edited) Hiya CD, we've recently got our two new girls, Hilda and Elsie from Thornes. Don't know if you'll remember our history, but we've not had the greatest of starts to chicken keeping - we got three Omlet girls and two of them very sadly died in a very short space of time We didn't want our remaining Omlet girl Dottie to get lonely, so I sought advice on here and from Barbara as well. After looking at the various suppliers, we decided to goto Thornes. It was easy enough for us to find and we got there no problem. We explained our predicament to Frank who was very sympathetic and helped us in choosing Hilda and Elsie. They both came from different flocks/pens so as all three girls would be starting off something new together. They're hybrid girls and I can't remember the exact name of their 'breed or type', but Hilda is ginger (as was our dear Cottie ) and Elsie is grey/white stripes - now Frank did say Elsie is the exact opposite in breed to what Dottie is (a ). We decided on their names during the journey home! It's now been nearly three weeks and so far, so good - touch wood! There was a little bit of fisticuffs at the beginning between Dottie and Elsie, however that's all resolved now and we've got harmony in our hen-partment! In fact, I just emailed Frank yesterday with a little update and some pictures Here's a little picture for you - here's Hilda, Elsie and Dottie Edited October 29, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roobaloo Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 I've never been to Mini Meadows but my two hybrids came from Thornes and they've been a delight! Healthy, strong, friendly birds!! Thorne's staff are very helpful and happy to give your their time and knowledge! I would recommend Thornes in a heatbeat! MarkBenBev - As I'm sad enough to remember what hybrids Thornes sell (I do a lot of window shopping there... ) I would say that Hilda is a Goldline and Elsie is a Speckledy! and very beautiful girls they are!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken deficient Posted October 29, 2010 Author Share Posted October 29, 2010 Ooh I like Elsie. Maybe that swings it to Thornes, as MIni Meadows don't have Speckledys. I was going to go for blue egg layers, (Skyline?), but I like the look of Bluebelles...blue eggs or blue hens...which comes first? So, what to choose out of those three? All my other chickens are in colour pairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 MarkBenBev - As I'm sad enough to remember what hybrids Thornes sell (I do a lot of window shopping there... ) I would say that Hilda is a Goldline and Elsie is a Speckledy! and very beautiful girls they are!! Ooooh thank you Roobaloo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 Ooh I like Elsie. Thank you CD I don't remember there being many of Elsie's variety the day we went and she seemed to stand out a bit, but she's also a bit bigger as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 I have a Speckledy, Clara...she is lovely but has only laid small eggs...it may just be her though I have a Bluebelle, Violet and she is so pretty...she lays a good-size, tea rose coloured egg I have 3 Skyline/Columbines and have been very lucky...one lays a beautiful blue egg and the others lay green eggs...one being a pastel colour and the other is a light version of sage green with white blotches on. Not sure if you have any white star hens...I would thoroughly recommend them if you would like large white eggs...they are superb layers...never miss a day...amazing girls None of mine have been flighty as a lot of reports read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeckyBeak Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 It may be a bit confusing but the Speckledy is possibly called a Pied on Mini Meadows website, they are sometimes called Cuckoo Marans on other sites, best to check they have some in though. They are quite big girls but very gentle, friendly and inquisitive. Mine is a called Cuckoo, but I often wish I had called her Matilda or such like, she is very like an old Aunt in her ways and I can imagine her sorting her knitting patterns. She loves to tread on my herbs and the fragrant satonlina bush, (probable for her pot pourri collection). She's that kind of matronly girl. She lays large oblong eggs. Last week,MIni Meadows also had some Sussex Speckledys, which are a deep russet colour with white splashes tinged with blue and really thick profuse feathers. Whatever you choose have a great day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 We got our 4 pure breeds from Mini Meadows at the beginning of September and have been very happy with them. They were only 14wks old when we got them and we took a chance on the Lavender Araucana being female as it is apparently hard to sex them that young, but we are fairly sure it is a hen, although they said they are willing to take her back if she turns out to be a he My OH got a bit lost trying to find them too, Ben wasn't there on that day and I think it was Giles who he met with and he was extremely helpful and I would recommend them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 I thought Clara looked a lot like the Pied Suffolk that is on the Mini Meadows Farm website I like the sound of the Sussex Speckledy...are they a hybrid? Very excited now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chookwhisperer Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 I got Tilly , Phoebe and Cassie from Thornes in August. I had gone for 2 but Frank persuaded me to get 3. All 3 are beautiful and lay well. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Thornes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken deficient Posted October 29, 2010 Author Share Posted October 29, 2010 I think that Speckled Sussex are a pure breed? Sounds like both places are really great. He's cottoned on though and has started muttering something about not going to TWO chicken places. What's wrong with the man?!!! He did come home with a dozen red roses and half a kilo of fruit and nut, so I shouldn't really complain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 WOW...roses and chocolate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeckyBeak Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 I like the sound of the Sussex Speckledy...are they a hybrid? The Speckled Sussex is a pure breed. Here is a picture of Fizz, the one in the middle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken deficient Posted October 29, 2010 Author Share Posted October 29, 2010 So many lovely chickens, sigh... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Very pretty hens...thank you for posting the pic I am less nervous about getting new hens today than usual Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Have a great day CD and Snoxy and we're looking forward to hearing all about and seeing pictures of course, of your purchases and new additions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken deficient Posted October 30, 2010 Author Share Posted October 30, 2010 Thank you MBB, I've got a few more weeks to wait 'til my birthday, but I'm sorting out Flickr in preparation! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
