The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: lindaball1961@gmail.com on December 01, 2014, 10:45:50 am

Title: Getting ready for Spring!!
Post by: lindaball1961@gmail.com on December 01, 2014, 10:45:50 am
Hi there. I know it's waaaay too early but just wondering if there is anybody out there who will be selling cream legbar, araucana or jersey giant hatching eggs next spring, ideally in the Norfolk area. I got some off the internet this year but had a very poor hatch rate. I'm thinking it's possibly due to the vagaries of the postal system rather than my incubator, as I've had good hatch rates from locally sourced eggs and 100% from my own boys and girls, so picking them up myself would be my preferred option. Cheers-Linda
Title: Re: Getting ready for Spring!!
Post by: HesterF on December 01, 2014, 10:37:28 pm
Not me but I've bought Cream Legbar and Araucana hatching eggs from a place in Devon by mail and have some lovely hens to show for it. So if you don't find anything closer, try a reliable postal place - I normally post or receive via the normal Royal Mail and have had up to 100% hatching success so it is possible.

H
Title: Re: Getting ready for Spring!!
Post by: Stereo on December 02, 2014, 12:10:49 am
Hester, I'm in Devon. Could you maybe PM me the source of those eggs? Or post it?
Title: Re: Getting ready for Spring!!
Post by: lindaball1961@gmail.com on December 02, 2014, 09:31:51 am
Thanks Hester!!
Title: Re: Getting ready for Spring!!
Post by: waddy on December 02, 2014, 11:22:55 am
Hester, I'm in Devon. Could you maybe PM me the source of those eggs? Or post it?


Me too please if it is not too much trouble!


Thank you


Helen


 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Getting ready for Spring!!
Post by: HesterF on December 02, 2014, 09:10:29 pm
http://www.southyeofarm.co.uk/ (http://www.southyeofarm.co.uk/)

I think I've posted it before anyway - they've a great range of rare breed poultry and great fertility rates on the ones I've got from there (including a 100% hatch from six Cayuga duck eggs). Sometimes a bit slow to respond to e:mail but just busy - and hatching eggs always seems to coincide with lambing etc.

Incidentally their neighbours South Yeo Farm East also do a few hatching eggs but I use them more for meat - have boxes of lamb and beef sent up and got some amazing, stunning sheep skins last year for Christmas presents.

You're both lucky living in Devon - so much choice!

H
Title: Re: Getting ready for Spring!!
Post by: Stereo on December 02, 2014, 10:18:12 pm
I thought you were going to say that. That's where my CLB and blue araucana cockerels came from so was hoping for another local breeder. Particularly want some blue araucana hens next year. Thanks anyway. We also had very good hatch rates from their eggs but lots of cockerels, not their fault of course!
Title: Re: Getting ready for Spring!!
Post by: HesterF on December 02, 2014, 10:24:17 pm
Sorry! There must be some other alternatives but the only other breeders I know down there are for West of England geese (which is how I came across these guys in the first place).  My last hatch from them was five hens and one cockerel which I was very happy with! Pair of Dorkings, two CLB hens, one Marans hen and one Lakenvelder hen - complete mixed bag which is what I wanted but lots of pretty eggs.
Title: Re: Getting ready for Spring!!
Post by: Marches Farmer on December 03, 2014, 03:30:50 pm
Try to get eggs posted on a Monday or Tuesday - it's sitting in a sorting office over a hot and humid weekend that does a lot of damage.
Title: Re: Getting ready for Spring!!
Post by: lindaball1961@gmail.com on December 03, 2014, 04:02:06 pm
Thanks for the advice folks. If I can't find anywhere locally it sounds like the place in Devon would be well worth a go.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Getting ready for Spring!!
Post by: Stereo on December 03, 2014, 04:53:47 pm
Try the cream legbar group on facebook if you are on there. Some very good breeders on there who sell hatching eggs. I think I saw Victorian Farmer on there but cold be wrong. I can buy CLB from a very good breeder locally but he vaccinates and I don't like to mix as I don't and this can cause problems.
Title: Re: Getting ready for Spring!!
Post by: Victorian Farmer on December 03, 2014, 07:33:31 pm
Yes I have a good line of cream legbars I have merphin parrey the natshnal winners angla and kevins and jill reeves and kulzandeanchooks .So a good line to work from .You will always get lots of cock birds from 1st seasons hens .so I will have eggs spring and good utilatey