mollyripkim Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Since last spring I have been waiting for a white silkie, or two, ended up having a black and a bantam orpington from the lady who I got my girls from. Two had my name on in November, one died, one is a boy, two more just hatched a couple of days ago so won't be ready until April time. I have spent all evening on the Internet and no-one has any available and I am loathe to just put my name down with lots of breeders as that doesn't seem fair to them. How do you all go about finding new girls, I also have Your Chickens Mag but nothing in there. I live I hampshire, don't mind travelling hour or so each way and am desperate for a white bantam silkie, orpington or pekin, or frizzle! Thanks for reading and any advice you can give. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poached Egg Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 The back pages of Practical Poultry have lists of breeders by area some of which are not on line.I dont know about Silkies but Priscilla Middleton who is near Tonbridge(Kent)may have some Pekins or Orpingtons. Good luck on your quest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 I had difficulty in sourcing some silkies end of nov, I trawled through various websites then came across this http://www.farmingads.co.uk/livestock-for-sale-chickens-silkie/region-w-uk/ and found some silkies. I had a 500 mile round trip mind, but It was a had to have now situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 I'd recommend having a look at the Practical Poultry site - there are plenty of breeders in the mag which are also listed online, and you could also join their forum and put up a wanted ad. I'd do a google search and you will find more breeders - often listed by county. In fact, I think there is a list on here somewhere You might find some advertised in pre-loved/your local freebie mag. Bearing in mind many breeders have got rid of stock and are only keeping breeding birds over the winter and the breeding pens will only just be starting up you may have a while to wait. However, if you are after pets, rather than show quality, you should be able to find something, particularly pekins. I'd always go and visit to make sure I was happy with the set-up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 Thank you so much, next stop is to sign up for practical poultry. I think you are right as well and its maybe the wrong season for young birds so maybe I just have to me more patient, although they are just for pets it would be nice to have them as good as possible. 500 miles was a long trip Sammiboo but I definitely get the had to have now situation. Hubby is going to buy them for my birthday in March so I had it in mind that if I sourced them now then they would be ready for March. There is an auction in Salisbury at the end of the month but I have decided not to go, I would only be tempted and have seen posts on here warning about what you might get. My girls are all fit and healthy so I would feel awful if I introduced a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 The Reading Bantam Society show is held in Newbury at the end of Feb, it always has a good sale section a bit more geared up to pet owners than most show sale sections, there will be lots of pens with cockerels but also some without and they will all be pure bred and bantams The great thing about shows is that if you dont find what you want in the sale section you can hang around the breed you like and ask around to find the owners to see if they have anything to sell, many sales of pure breeds are word of mouth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinning Top Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 It may be worth you contacting Ben at Mini Meadows in Welford (Northants), or at least checking out his website to see whether it's within your travel radius. We've bought all our girls from him and he could not be more helpful. They're pets rather than show birds but everyone who sees them comments on what beauties they are. He had some bantams when I was there last Sunday - I seem to remember Laced Wyandottes and Buff Orpingtons but as I was looking for large breeds I can't be sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 Hi Redwing, I desperately wanted to go to Newbury this year but we will be on holiday (we are going to India which hubby has wanted to do for years) and my girls are going back to their breeder for their holiday - she has a lovely big pen that they stay in. I would love to go and see all the bantam breeds though. This is partly why I was looking now, hoping if I found some they might be ready end Feb/March. I will check Mini Meadows as well thank you Spinning Top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
