Newbie - THinking about keeping chickens

[nribs]

Hi,

Me and the good lady are considering taking on some chickens as we have enough space in the back Garden and think it would be ideal for our children to help look after, feed and clean as well as enjoy getting our own eggs.

Can anyone inform me where i may be able to purchase chickens probably around 4 or where i may be able to rescue some old battery chicks?? I live in Fife but can go to Edinburgh or slightly further afield, maybe 40 mile radious od Dunfermline?

Also can nayone recommend a good book to help us on our way?

All help apreciated

Thanks

[Suechooks]

Starting with Chickens by Katie Thear is my favourite beginners book. Down to earth and practical, shows you type of housing, feeders etc.
Have a look in Practical Poultry magazine for suppliers/breeders.
Go to the Battery Hen Welfare Trust website to read about ex-batts. I have both ex-batts and "normal" point of lay hybrids. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. I love them all!
Its a marvellous way to go and 4 will not be enough! You'll always want more so be prepared!
Make sure you do your research and ensure your run is fox-proof. They will climb jump and dig.
Good luck and welcome!

[Nicos]

I got that book- and it's very useful!
(although I spent ( and still do) hours on Google!)

Go for it...they are MUCH more fun than I'd ever imagine!

...and the eggs....well- you'll never want to buy any from the shops ever again!

[Noodle]

Glad you've been swayed towards hens! They are great and can be fantastic for children!
I have both rescue and home grown hens! They are both great for different reasons. If you have any other questions ask away and we'll all do our best to help you out!

[MaureenHall]

Big welcome here nribs Ooooo I think it's great that more people are wanting to rescue some hens Read as much as you can on this forum (and others, but they're not as friendly and daft as us) and get books from the library as well as the Katie Thear one. BHWT also give lots of good advice about rescue hens Battery Hen Welfare Trust and housing etc. 4 is a good number to think about starting off with, but if you've got room for more, then it's no more difficult looking after 12 as it is for 4

[araminta]

Hi! I like Hens in the Garden, Eggs in the Kitchen by Charlotte Popescu, lots of good advice and loads of recipes. We started with four and then got another four about 10 days ago, just as the snow was starting here - all they've seen since they arrived here are snow drifts - they seem fine though!

[nribs]

Thanks for the warm welcome and all the sound advice, i must have read at least 50 posts on here allready and hope to contribute more in the future and will definately keep you updated on my quest for hens, now just lokign for a little hen house, thanks again

[shirlthegirl43]

Hello and welcome to the vine. Good luck with finding your chooks - Madmax (my OH) tried for ages to put me off having some hens but now he loves them as much as I do and is really glad we got them.