Flossie G Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 Hello, I would like to add some pure breeds to the flock. I'd like an Orpington and/or a Rhode Island Red or two, but finding breeders who sell pure breeds in my area is proving rather difficult. I've checked the listings on Omlet and numerous other sites: no joy. If anyone knows of poultry breeders who sell pure breeds in the Aylesbury (Bucks) area, please let me know. Beds, or Oxon would also be a possibility. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken deficient Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I'd imagine you'll probably have to travel an hour or so, but have you tried here: http://www.thebarnspoultrycentre.co.uk I've not been there, but Frank, previously of Thornes, works there. Hopefully someone more local to you will have some suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted May 16, 2013 Author Share Posted May 16, 2013 Thanks. I've sent them an email. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I visited Acorn Nursery, a family run plant nursery and small holding in Stadhampton, Oxfordshire, last year. While they normally sell a variety of hybrid point of lay chickens, when I was there he had a Buff Orpington and her chicks on show. He also had a Silver Laced Wyandotte trio too. Certainly worth a visit if you are in that direction, even if you don't buy anything! Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I really know what you mean about how difficult it is to find pure breeds in our area. I can only suggest keeping a good eye on Practical Poultry ads as sadly Acorn nursery don't stock pure breeds anymore having found there was no call for them in Oxfordshire . I've travelled right to Hambel Valley down near Southampton for my Slikies and my Polands however we are lucky in that we do have a pure breed Frizzle breeder our door step. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 bear in mind too that any pure breeds you buy at this time of year are either much older (12-16 months) or much younger (3-4 months) so if you do find any breeders, be prepared to be told they've none at POL. If you want the 'right' age (POL) then you'll have to look at hybrids Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I agree, you wont find many pure breeds at POL at the moment but there should be some in the next few months Try the clubs of the breeds involved - For Orpingtons there are two - the Buff Orpington Club and the Orpington Club. A list of the clubs and their contacts can be found on the PCGB Website. Most clubs hold a list of breeders so should be able to help I know of a lady in roughly the right area that breeds both Orps and RIR I think, I will ask if she has anything suitable if you like? There is a chap on the Practical Poultry forum that breeds RIR and very nice they are too, he is in Berkshire. Its worth a 'wanted' ad on there if you are a member (The lady I mention above is also a member on there) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted May 16, 2013 Author Share Posted May 16, 2013 Ah. That would explain why Acorn Nursery didn't reply to my email. I have been asking for hens aged 11 weeks + because I think that they would be big enough to take the knocks from my my other girls. Feel free to put me right on this! I am not ruling out chicks, not least because it would be far cheaper. I shall look into it. Redwing: If you know a breeder, please do ask. I'll check the Practical Poultry pages as well, and the idea of poultry clubs is a good one. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I wouldn't mix youngsters in with your older girls, certainly not straight away. I've only introduced POL age in with my older girls (at least 18 weeks) and then only after gradual introductions. If you must mix them in straight away (not recommended) then go for older pure breeds If you can keep them separated until they're the right age then do get chicks, keep them separate but in view and you'll find by the time they're POL the introductions will be straight forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted May 17, 2013 Author Share Posted May 17, 2013 I never throw newbies into the ring. I put them in a separate pen so they and the oldies can eyeball each other until proper introductions are made. If I get some newbies at around 11 weeks, I'll keep them separate for longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 How about Widgets based near Reading? They have various different breeds, both bantam and large. Had you for instance thought about a Barnvelder? Rather pretty, nice natured and good egg layers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 I have barnevelders lovely looking birds but are very skittish cant get hold of them to do anything with and they can be feather peckers mine just run out the house in the morning lay their eggs go back to bed that's all I see of them leanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted May 17, 2013 Author Share Posted May 17, 2013 I hadn't thought about a Barnevelder, but I am thinking about one now. I hadn't thought of a Frizzle either, but find I am thinking about one of those too. Never heard of Widgets, but I've now looked at their website and they look like a possibility for an Orpy, though no RIRs that I could see. I've also registered with Practical Poultry and will post a wanted ad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Here are some Frizzles for you Be tempated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Although it's a bit further for you, Wyle Valley chickens is an excellent source of pure breeds. It's not far from Stonehenge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted May 18, 2013 Author Share Posted May 18, 2013 SC: Feather dusters with beaks! They are lovely, but maybe not hardy? Thanks, Patricia. That's worth a thought. Have posted a wanted message on the Practical Poultry board, but no replies yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 SC: Feather dusters with beaks! They are lovely, but maybe not hardy? I think they are hardy enough for the south of England though possibly not for Scotland as their backward pointing feathers do mean that they are not as well insulated as normally feathered beings. My frizzles had no special attention over the last few winters but they did like to squish up under larger hens in the hen house to keep warm bless them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted May 23, 2013 Author Share Posted May 23, 2013 Worth thinking about a Frizzle, then. No responses to my Practical Poultry post. I have supposedly pre-ordered a couple of RIRs from a guy in Beds, but he only took my name, not my number or anything and told me to ring late summer or autumn. I am not counting on him! I tried to sent you a pm about the meet but it is still in my outbox after several days. My OH will be coming and so will my dog, if it's too warm to leave her in the car. She's a lovely girl, but is one of life's enthusiasts. Let me know if you think she'll be a problem. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Hello Flossie - I did get your PM and have popped your name with OH + dog on the first post of the thread on 'Berks Border tea and cakes' in the Get Together section of the forum. See HERE I'm sure your dog won't be a problem if we can sit outside. I'll pop by to the Herb Garden this Sunday to make sure If it is cold or rainy and we all need to be inside then your dog will most likely be fine in the car with the window open a little. My little JR x Spaniel is a frequent visitor to there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcfee2 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Mini Meadows near Market Harborough have Rhode Island Reds on their website as available now. I'm not great on geography but that's not very far from you, is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perfectspace Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Hi Flossie There's a lovely old guy in Buckingham who breeds Australorps (and he had a few Pekins too). PM me for his tel no. Australorps are fantastic - beautiful, friendly and great layers. We're very pleased we got one. May get more in the future. I've also bought from Widgits - would recommend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted May 24, 2013 Author Share Posted May 24, 2013 Mcfee2: You're right, Market Harborough is not too far. Thanks. Perfectspace: thank you also. I have sent you a pm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted May 26, 2013 Author Share Posted May 26, 2013 Well, I tried the older guy in Buckingham. No luck. So, I phoned Mini Meadows in Northants and was due to pick up a RIR, a Buff Sussex and a Cream Legbar yesterday. By the time I got there, not a Buff Sussex was to be seen and only a few RIRs and Cream Legbars were available. I didn't think that the Cream Legbars left looked that great, so opted for a RIR and a hybrid (a Pied Suffolk, I think) as a compromise. My oldies are in a rage and are taking it in turns to do some close-up glaring through the wire of the temporary pen - in between yelling and stomping sessions around the garden. Piper, the PS, is a bit intimidated by this, but not Ruby the RIR. She is definitely up for some aggro. Thanks to everyone who replied to my posts to help me out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Oh are there pictures of your new girls? I'm fascinated by the Pied Suffolk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted May 28, 2013 Author Share Posted May 28, 2013 The Pied Suffolk is very pretty indeed - all black apart from a speckled white cape. Her black feathers have a greenish blue tinge and she has nice eyes too. Both girls are in the temporary pen and I wouldn't be able to get a good shot of them. As soon as I can, I'll post a photo (I'm sure it can't be that difficult). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
