4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Lyra]

I went there with children this half term and it was literally the worst place I've ever visited in Britain.

 

The place was entirely infested with rats, we saw loads of them running around in broad daylight, we saw a dead chicken, hens with no water or shade, other animals with no water or shade, very few washing facilities - eg gel stations for kids hands, the whole place was very poorly maintained, lots of runs that the chickens and ducks could just walk out of, lots of hens in poor condition, I'm sure lots must get eaten by foxes/attacked by rats, becasue the runs are so inadequate, we saw chicks with no water in their tray, the runs were dirty and the coops looked filthy, some of them looked like they didn't shut properly at night, there were literally thousands of rat holes, they've clearly got a rat epidemic there- maybe because they don't put the feed away at night and the place is so very dirty.

 

I can't emphasise enough how disgusting this place was, plus the staff were uniformly rude. I would advise everyone against a visit and definitely don't buy from there.

[rural]

I have been twice in the last three months and I actually bought 3 speckaldys from them (NOT cheap !!) - the first time was ok but the second time I saw rats everywhere .... absolutely dreadful - and I know the original owner Michael Roberts would be horrified if he had seen all the vermin brazenly scampering about - its also extremely expensive and SMELLS !! so no I wouldnt recommend it as a place to go there must be others this place should get their act together or CLOSE DOWN.

[moochoo]

The Domestic Fowl Trust are currently not selling any birds due to some sort of illness that has been killing their stock. I popped down the other day to use the shop (which is excellent). I always take a look at the poultry for sale but their were none.

I hope this forces them to clean up their act and their runs. With the Wernlas Collection closing their are very few places keeping and breeding rare breeds in the area. It would be nice to see them back to their former glory.

[The Dogmother]

I agree, it used to be very good, but quickly went downhill. If they could get it sorted, then they'd have a niche market.

[chickencam]

We went there 4 years ago when we first had chickens, we bought a white star and a light sussex pure breed from them. We still have the light sussex and she is our best layer at the moment. However we didn't likethe place one bit, their birds for sale were in small cages in the back of the hot shop and both birds that we bought were very flighty and were handled very roughly when romoved from the cages. Outside there were birds without any food or water and ducks with no water, the people there were very unhelpful and rude too.

 

We have since bought chickens from Cotswold chickens and from Poultry park in Newent Glous. both places were way better, but we have been to Newlands Grange in malvern today and it is the best place ever! 4 more ladies have joined come home to us They were so lovely there and so firm but gentle with their birds all 4 of ours were inspected carefully before being put into our carrier. they have got loads of Eglus there for hen boarding too

[Dolly]

Hi Chickencam, we also love Newland Grange in Malvern for their hens and hen boarding services, they are lovely people and the place is very well kept. Our girls always go there for their holidays!

[Chortle Chook]

Good to hear this about Newland Grange. It is a little far for me to visit but I get Garvo for my doves from there, and my Garvo chicken treats. The lady who answers my calls is always so helpful and nice.

 

I also really liked Cotswold Chickens which, when I was there in about May, seemed as clean as clean could be.

[Smudge]

It's good to hear good reports of Newland as we're going on Saturday with the intention of bringing home a couple of girls. I spoke to the lady on the phone and she sounds so nice and is really helpful, so I'm looking forward to it.

 

I have to say we visited the Domestic Fowl Trust late last summer as it's quite close to us and being new to chicken-keeping at that time we thought we'd investigate, but we weren't particularly impressed. The staff were not very helpful and the state the chickens for sale were in didn't look good , even to the extent that my OH remarked when we recently decided to add to our flock that we weren't going to get any from there!

[Chickenlicken8]

I would definatley recommend The Domestic Fowl Trust now as it is under new management and looks loaaads better, they have made so many improvements on the whole place and as a whole it is cleaner, tidier and has got lots to do. Think they have gorgeous piglets for sale at the moment! As well as the chickens and ducklings. Also cafe is fab!

[Lewis]

Welcome to the forums

 

Glad to hear its getting better... did you buy any chickens from DFT?

How many do you have?

[Chortle Chook]

Thanks for letting us know, Chickenlicken8 I've recently ordered some little bin things from them and they were nice people to deal with. Looks like a visit will be in order

[Chickenlicken8]

Yep definatley worth a visit!

Why thank you

Yeh i got my 3 rhode rocks, 2 bluebells and 3 ickle bantams all from DFT and have had no problems!

Love them!

They do different activities and things, great for kids, think they are doing some things for insect week!