chickens

[chevrolet1.8]

we are about to keep chickens and was wondering if anybody on here already does? we will start off with 4 and maybe later on we will take on some ex-battery hens. we live in romford in essex and was wondering if anyone knew of a farm fairly local within say 10 miles or so that i could buy some point of lays hens from.

[coco pops]

We had a couple of chickens but had to get rid of them because they encourage rats. It doesn't matter how clean you keep the run etc rats follow.

[Kleiber]

I keep chickens, chevrolet - yes, we sometimes have rat problems, but it's not as bad as coco pops makes out. There are ways to deter the rats. I have a smallholding and amongst others, have 35 chickens for eggs. We only had rats in one run last winter (they don't bother you in the summer, it's the wet weather that attracts them, and the leftover food). As far as P.O.L. pullets are concerned, have a look at the Practical Poultry website (sorry, I don't know the exact address, but if you Google "Practical Poultry" you should find it!). Chickens are great to keep - good luck and I'm so pleased to hear that you're thinking of getting some ex-battery hens!! K xx

[sheribeee]

hi xx well i have chickens in my garden, i live in a town and my neighbours think they r great.
i got mine from a poultry auction at a cattle market, first i got 2 small bantams pol, then 6 day old chicks (4 were cockerels, which r now rehomed) so i have 2 chickens, i also have 2 quail bantam ( one is a cockerel and crows!) and 2 indian runner ducks. My 2 bantams r now sitting on 6 silkie eggs that i bought off ebay.
I have never had rat problems, i get the odd mouse, but keeping cats sorts that one. I also get flies and pigeons in too. They bring lots of joy to our lives as they r so funny, and very intellegent too.
there is a lady that rescues ex battery hens and puts them up for adoption, if u google battery welfare rescue then that sould bring up their site and email them from there.
Good luck and keep us posted on how they settle in xx

[chevrolet1.8]

thanks sheribeee,seems like you're right into it! I've heard that keeping chickens becomes really addictive as they are funny to watch. I can't wait to get them, i think it's going to flip my 2 year old grandson's mind! Thanks for the bit about welfare rescue too. watch this space as they say.

[chevrolet1.8]

just an update. we hope to get our hens this weekend and i have found 2 farms locally that sell them. one has 18 month old birds for �5 and the other has young birds at point of lay for �10. i think i'd rather buy the young ones as it might be easier to get them used to everything afresh. any thoughts? cheers

[chevrolet1.8]

have had the chickens about 5 weeks now and we love it. 3 birds are laying well but one seems to be a bit slow off the mark and when she does lay she sometimes lays a thin shelled egg. might be just something minor as she obviously eats what the others eat and she looks healthy