xChicken04x Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Hi everyone! i just had a few questions about the domestic fowl trust. 1. we where thinking of getting some chickens from there but its a bit to far to drive to so we were hoping to get them deliverd. has anyone ever had chickens deliverd with out seeing them first? (other than omlet, i know they are very trust worthy!) 2. has anyone ever been there? if so whats it like? 3. are they healthy? (we have asked over the phone but obiosly they arnt going to say no) 4.how long would it take for them to be delived? (i understand its not a very good question i was going to ask over the phone but forgot, and was to embaresd to ring back!) 5. what if your opinion on the frizzle? i have heard not many people like them but i think they are georgous! (i know its a bot off topic) thanks for any replies xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Have you checked out the Practical Poultry forum? They are not popular on there. However, I believe several Omlet forum members have obtained chickens from them and been happy. Probably best to visit, as I didn't think they delivered anyway. Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Here's a link. http://kelseyinfo.co.uk/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1176219807 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 I've been a few times and I've also read all the comments on Practical Poultry. I've not bought any fertile eggs from them but I have seen their hatchery area - which was fine. I'm not always sure about the cages containing hens for sale - and I've never been out to see the hens as I ususally go for shop items. The shop is brilliant. I know someone who is working there at the moment - I will ask their opinion as it would be unfair to ask them to come and post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudgley Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 We went there a couple of weeks ago. I've read the link about somones recent experience there & I have to say that although the fencing & runs / pens are not very well maintained. I did think the chickens generally loked in good health, obviously some of them are old & not as healthy looking as the youngsters, but I think the animals there are well cared for. The hatchery is spotless, with hand washing facilities available in there. The hens for sale in the shop looked nice & healthy young birds & although the cages are small for them, I don't think they spend much time in there, they have a fast turnover of chicken sales & seem to sell them really quickly once they are put up for sale. I would have been happy to buy hens from there, in fact we were thinking about getting a Bluebell & a white star, we looked around the pens & went to the park there & had a picnic, then when we went back to the shop - they were all sold! The staff in there are helpful & polite & I enjoyed my day out there. Although the pens are not labelled very well & the map doesn't correspond with the pen numbers, so it was difficult to work out what was what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milly Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 I'm glad a few people have replied - we got a hen from the DFT on Sunday and she is looking a bit under the weather today so I was looking at the forum for advice. Then I saw the posting and read the discussion on the link - oh dear! We didn't look around as it was raining very heavily. I was a bit surprised by how scruffy the hen sales area was. But the hens seemed to be selling farily quickly so I don't think they stay in the sales pens for long. The girl who was in there seemed friendly and helpful (but busy dealing with customers). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 I was really put off when I read the P P discussion. I didn't know if it was turning into a 'witch hunt' or not. Then I read comments on here from people who had bought hens and were very happy with the place, so I am not sure now Sorry if I have put anyone off but as the P P thread had so many people saying the same thing I thought you all should know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 I also read the P P discussion before we visited so I was on the lookout so to speak. Although some of the pens were a bit worse for wear (some had doors that wouldnt shut properly so we got followed round all day by a rooster ) I felt that the chickens were being well cared for and all looked to be in good health. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable and I was pleased I went. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 I understand that things have improved there recently Having said that, I went about a year ago and was appalled at the conditions that some of the birds were kept in I have never bought any birds from them, so can't judge that service, but I don't think that I would buy any birds unless I'd seen them first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMO Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 Both of my hens came from DFT and are perfectly healthy, happy chooks. I was concerned about the cramped conditions but they do seem to have a very quick turnover so I doubt the hens are in the cages very long. The staff have always been very helpful and even helped me fit bumper bits when I needed a hand. They have an excellent stock of the smallholder range in the shop. AMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 Sounds like they HAVE improved then AMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 Right, I am currently working there. The birds are in smashing condition and the people all care about the birds and other animals. They don't sell birds which are not good enough, these birds that don't make the specific requirement are kept in a large spacious barn with all those who are not able to be sold on. I would not plan a visit for at least 2 weeks, the rain has caused major damage and in some places you can be almsot knee high in mud. Regards the Frizzles we don't have any in stock at the moment. Here is a list of what we have (18 weeks approx.) Japanese Bantams Lavender Pekin Cockerel Italian Quail Japanese Quail Partridge Pekin Bantams " "" " " " " " " Cockerels Marans Speckeldys Bluebelles Sicillian Buttercups Call Ducks Blcak Rocks White Sussex Welsummer Miniatures Guinea Pigs Rabbits Not a lot of choice at the moment. Fertile eggs are very good. Tye who does eggs, doens't sell them if he hasn't had a good hatch rate in his last batch, and instead incubates the new set to determine wether the next lot are available for sale. Lots of chicks and ducklings for sale. Any questions then please pm me as I do not come in here very often. Any Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudgley Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 Slightly off topic, but I've been to visit a lady today through work & she just happens to keep chickens. She has lots of friendly young frizzles which she has bred. They were really lovely & tame, lots of colours. I'm sure she will be selling them if your interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted June 28, 2007 Author Share Posted June 28, 2007 thanks for your replies everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Oh Martin, why did you have to do the list????? Any chance you could sneak out a welsummer mini??? No, I don't need another hen.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cherryl Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Hi Clare No, I don't need another hen.... Yeah right, of course you do. Its like saying to my eldest dog, do you want a choccie bicccie ! mmm.... not sure if I have said, but my brother lives in Somerset, and they have.... well I think its about 17, all rescued all sorts(he is one of the helpers for BHWT), including two brother cockerls who live together with no problems. And me... I worry about 2 ! He hasn't quite told me to get a life, but am sure it will only be a matter of time have a good week-end Cherryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fowlbird Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Oh Martin, why did you have to do the list????? Any chance you could sneak out a welsummer mini??? No, I don't need another hen.... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... you do not need another hen... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fowlbird Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 having said that, I wonder if I can persuade OH that we should take in another rescue hen in Gertrude's place? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Does he need persuading. Could it not just arrive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 That's the style Bron! Cherryl; you've got me sussed then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fowlbird Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Does he need persuading. Could it not just arrive? oh, I wouldn't dare just let one arrive - now that I can't walk he has to do all the heavy work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cherryl Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Hi Clare Not sure as to your postition on choccie biccies (I just know Sophie's) And... am one of those girls who when anyone gets a new critter, makes me tummy go all liquid and I want one or two too ! Not only that, have Keeping Pet Chickens in the loo (the book), and one of the bedside books is chicken breeds, and I just keep looking through, making ooh noises at how beautiful they all are. Did want a Burford Brown and a Cotswold Leg Bar, ... maybe for the next flock ,oh and a Scots Dumpy...... the list is endless Cherryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 We'll get along well then.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
