The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: wilf on November 29, 2008, 08:53:33 am

Title: want to keep chickens
Post by: wilf on November 29, 2008, 08:53:33 am

Hi

We want to keep some (8) chickens and know nothing about it just yet.

Can anyone give us advice on .

What breed is best and easiest to keep.
Where to get chickens.
What vermin can i expect and how to deal with them

We are in kent

Ta,

wilf

Title: Re: want to keep chickens
Post by: Rosemary on November 29, 2008, 05:19:13 pm

Everyone has their favourite breed but I think the Black Rock is as good as any. It's a hybrid bred for outdoor systems, is hardy and lays well. Make sure you get the real thing though and not just some black hens. The breeder has a website www.blackrock.com I think - he's called Peter Siddons and he has a network of finishers all over the country.

If you keep your feed in rodent proof containers, clean up any spills and take your feeders in at night, you shouldn't be bothered with rodents.

Title: Re: want to keep chickens
Post by: Castle Farm on November 30, 2008, 05:03:01 pm

Hello Wilf.
Have a look at my blog on starting with poultry it may hold a few answers any other questions just ask.

www.castlefarmeggs.co.uk

Title: Re: want to keep chickens
Post by: chickettes on December 03, 2008, 11:48:23 am

Hi,
 i got my first 2chickens approx 5weeks ago. I opted for 2 Black Rocks. I did a bit of research and looked at sites such as this one, but at the end of the day you just got to try it. No eggs as yet but plenty laughs.

Title: Re: want to keep chickens
Post by: Hilarysmum on December 03, 2008, 07:12:39 pm

For looks personality and character brahmas.  They lay a nice egg too.

Title: Re: want to keep chickens
Post by: Wellieboots on December 09, 2008, 06:20:16 pm

Do your homework, decide what suits and then go fer it. Don't be sidelined by looks etc..etc.. unless you will be at home every day. If you just want eggs, go for a hybrid such as a black rock as they will lay well & are a good "starter" chicken and there is nothing better than a flock of black birds running around yer grounds to give you kudos!!
Vermin depends on where you are/live. If you let them free range as in the proper sense and not just wander about in a small run then you have to accept that this might happen ( foxes, minks, raptors etc) - lock them up at night and it lessons the chances but look at the size of the runs on most commercial huts and tell me that you are happy with their size?
Mine free range over 2 acres during the day and are put away at night but we still lost one recently to a raptor, such is life. Bloody lice are the biggest problem IMO!!

Good chicken keepin!

Title: Re: want to keep chickens
Post by: Hilarysmum on December 14, 2008, 07:52:52 am

 ???Pardon my ignorance but what is a raptor?

Title: Re: want to keep chickens
Post by: doganjo on December 14, 2008, 12:22:10 pm

Bird of Prey - hawks, buzzards, Kestrels etc.