The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Lubob on February 09, 2009, 07:56:34 pm
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Does anyone have a contact for Black Rocks, our Hen House arrives tomorrow! We live in Kincardine and I am desperate to get started. Thank you. :chook:
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Hi, Lu
I emailed you Peter Siddons' number - he has anetwork of agents. Beware of cheap imotations. The contacts are on teh website www.theblackrock.co.uk
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I've ordered mine from Colin Kerr outside Kinross. He was very nice and helpful when I spoke to him, but if you want to order any you might have to be quick off the mark :)
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Rosemary
You said beware of cheap imitations of Black Rocks. How can we tell? We've just got 6 Black Rocks from a friend of a friend. I'm new to hen keeping so I wouldn't know. They look very like my friend's Black Rocks and she bought them from a reputable dealer. Do they have a pedigree like dogs?
Cheers
Brenda :-
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I'd make sure they came from one of the official Black Rock agents. I fear any black hen may be sold as a Black Rock (or maybe I'm just cynical)
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Hi - Called and spoke to Peter Siddons today, he has some and I am going to collect them on Saturday ;D - I Can't wait! Thank you Rosemary for the info.
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I'd make sure they came from one of the official Black Rock agents. I fear any black hen may be sold as a Black Rock (or maybe I'm just cynical)
How can we tell the difference, Rosemary, if you aren't an expert? Can you give us some pointers?
A
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Best bet is to speak to Peter Siddons & get addresses local to you as not all his "agents" (I use the word loosely as I can't think of a better description, breeders sounds wrong too!) are on the map available on the widdlieweb.
I got mine last year from Mr Pearson in Burntisland after ringing Peter S for contacts as Colin Kerr didn't have any approaching POL's when I wanted them. I can give folks the Burntisland address if you want it, they buy from Peter Siddons and as mentioned he gave me their name so its as good to ensuring that you are getting BR's as possible - and damn if they won't stop laying too!!
Gonna get some more next month for (a) the eggs & (b) the giggle of enjoying their developing stupidity - and I do mean that in the nicest possible way. Mine lose all contact with their brains when I put grain down especially if I put it in the paddock. 1 will go straight over the chook ladder I built, 1 will hop on some slabs, then a fence post then into the paddock, one will take the running/flying/clucking approach in a kamakazee stylee and the other 2 will pace the fence like caged animals in a zoo for a few minutes before using one of the aforementioned access routes! Dumb doesn't begin to describe them....bless!
Oh and is it just me or are black rocks descended from ninja's? Mine give out a definite "oooaaaaahhhhhhhrrrrrr" ninja stylie verbal when I go to open their arc every morning?! :farmer:
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Ex batts are much more cleverer ;D when I go into their run they move out of my way, hunker down for a wee clappie, then follow me into the shed, then jump into my arms when I am trying to put the food in their dishes. :o
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Hi
How are they settling in? My layer has gone broodie after 10 days of laying, i've separated her tonight as she is putting the rest of going into the coop, and one of my black rocks from Rosemary just starting laying last week.
Rosemary I notice that your hoping to get some fertile eggs soon. let me know if you want to borrow broodie before she stops.
Gillian
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They are great, like having a new baby - spend all my time hanging over them!!! They don't seem to want to roost though, they were all squashed up into the nesting boxes tonight?! Do I need to get in and show them what to do ...?!!!!! :D
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they are just waiting to pounce.... ninja style? :o
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Hi, Lu - your ninja chooks will need to be shown what to do. Depending on how they were raised, they might not be familiar with perching at night - althought they will do it natrurally during the day on branches and fences. One they've gone to bed, just lift them on to the perch. They might wobble a bit but will soon settle down. Expect to "train" for about 5-7 days. It's agood excuse to handle them as well.
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Hi Lubob
Try Harley113 he has chickens and ducks for sale I know he has Black Rocks and he lives near salamanan his mobile number is 07936187727
I purchased ducks from him today very very pleased excellent stock,
hope you have luck in your new venture I started ten years agothis summer with eight black rocks and I still have one left called big sandra
great breed and she still lays eggs in the summer.
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I'm not sure if mine are true Black Rocks but they seem to be to true breed standards, they lay every day, they are friendly, robust and of course are Black, 2 have a bit more red on them. I like the idea of Big Sandra!!!
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Hi Sandy
We bought all my girls from Peter Siddons and named them all from the film chicken run, but Big Sandra's name came from a friend of mine she was originally called just Sandra but grew and grew so hence the name Big Sandra.Sandra (friend) always asks about her and frequently comes to visit, the topic is always how's Big Sandra, she is amazing she is a lot quieter now than she used to be always liked to rule the roost. After the others demise we could not leave her on her own so purchsed four lohmans to keep her company. Well that did
not go down to well at first but she got used to them very quickly and started to act like a chicken again,
perching and laying eggs again, what a bird. We then decided to hatch some of our own birds and now we have
two marans, two orpingtons, and three favourells, of course Big Sandra thinks who are these whipper snappers
and no one messes with Big Sandra.