chickens needed

[ukpaul27]

hi all

am new to this site so to start off hello to you all.
i have got a allotment and i got told i can keep afew chickens on there sound good as a love eggs lol but where can i buy chickens from i only want 3 i live in cheshire.

thanks
paul

[poultrychat]

Lucky you paul - try your local papers for adverts and buy a copy of Practical Poultry magazine and Country Smallholder and have a look in the back - they both have a long list of breeders

[mattw]

Hi Paul,

Chelford market is your best bet. The poultry market is on every Monday.

Chelford Agricultural Centre
Chelford
Macclesfield
Cheshire
SK11 9AX

Here is a map for you...

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.c...helford+Market

Hope that helps.

Matt.

[Tensing]

I have a copy of Pratical poultry here if you want a list of breeders in the area.

[poultrychat]

I don't know anything about the market mentioned above so please don't be offended but I have heard some bad stories about chooks from some markets being sold when they are unwell, or pullets being sold to beginners that turned out to be cockerels and things like that - so just be careful

[Squirrel]

I have no knowledge of the market either, but would be very wary buying from somewhere like that! Who knows what you might get, so take care - have you a very knowledgeable poultry friend you could call on to go with you?

[mattw]

I don't know anything about the market mentioned above so please don't be offended but I have heard some bad stories about chooks from some markets being sold when they are unwell, or pullets being sold to beginners that turned out to be cockerels and things like that - so just be careful

I have no knowledge of the market either, but would be very wary buying from somewhere like that! Who knows what you might get, so take care - have you a very knowledgeable poultry friend you could call on to go with you?

Those are very good points guys. Paul, if you do go to the market then definitely I would recommend taking someone experienced with you otherwise as has already been said go to areputable local dealer direct.

Matt.

[Peardrops]

Hi UKPaul27, I have recently bought some hens for my allotment, and have never kept hens before, I recommend you go to poultrychat.com for some friendly advice, they were really helpful to me, and there are plenty of people there with loads of experience who may be able to help you. I bought my hens from friends, but I could have bought anything from a commercial dealer not knowing good from bad.

I hope you get some lovely hens like I have.

[Sunbeam]

why don't you try adopting some rescue chickens (sorry to be such a bore on the subject ) You can get them for approx 50p each & will give them a chance at a proper life... our rescue girls are all feathered up and loving the free range life!

[Shortie]

Welcome Paul

No, I agree Sunbeam. I was going to suggest them same but didn't know if you were allowed to take them if they weren't going to a totally free roaming home (if I've made any sense there....?)

[Sunbeam]

when we collected ours from Malden (essex) the lady rescuer had hers in a pen - a large pen, prob 20'x10' - but they weren't running about the place completely free - still, it is 100 times better than where they came from. They are so funny too - David, Kiran & I are honorary chickens and when we go and sit on the lawn (trying to avoid the chicken poo) they come and join us.. they come and greet me when I get home from work too - I know is a 'she feeds us' association, but it makes me feel good! Our other two who were not rescue birds are not half as friendly! We're not allowed to join their gang!!!!

[Squirrel]

I have two bantams loose in the front yard - sorry front garden - in an effort to keep down the nasties. They seem to enjoy my company and come and join me if I am sitting in the garden, muttering under their beaks and generally pottering within an arms throw. If I walk up the path they toddle along behind!

[Sunbeam]

we had chickens when I was a child & it is wonderful to see my little boy enjoying them as much as we did.. it was always my job in the mornings to feed them and collect any eggs - and Kiran at the age of 3 is 'egg collector in chief' of our household...!! Hopefully, if he has children they will do the same ... let the wheel of life keep turning!

[Worldor]

We have a few growers to sell if you are interested. We are in the West Midlands though so it may be too far for you to travel. We have bantam araucanas which lay a blue egg.

[Squirrel]

Wish I was closer - would take you up on it!