[Digmoweed]

I had some good news today, ive been given permission to use some land to grow veg and maybe keep some live stock.

Now dont get me wrong im not going out straight away and buy lots of animals, but im going to start researching.
I thought maybe chickens were a good starting point, and ive seen a local farm that sells bantams.
Are they ok to start with or is there an easier breed.

I know i have lots of research to do yet before i take the plunge, but if you. Guys could give me an idea where to start i would be very grateful

Mat

[Beewyched]

Is there any way that you can find out the breed of the bantys Mat?  With poultry, you'll need to consider how much room & housing you may have for them, the type of ground/weather conditions you experience locally (though if this year's anything to go by then mud, wet & windy    )  Do you want them for eggs or meat etc.  Some are good layers, some good for meat, but not many eggs & then you get the utility breeds - good for both.  There are also some breeds that the hens are good broodies, sometimes hatching up to 3 "batches" a year - but you may not get many eggs from them. 
Once you've got an idea of what you want them for, then you'll know whether to go for hybrids, pure or rare & minority breeds, or even a mix of each.
Having your 1st hens is just so 
 

[Digmoweed]

Thanks for the prompt reply

I would like them for eggs and meat, is there a breed or breeds you would recommend.
Im not fussed about getting them from said farm and not worried if they are bantams, tbh there is 5 of us here so bantams may not be best for meat.

Room is not to much of a problem as ive been given nearly 3/4 of an acre. Well 1/4 and if i keep it up together than i will be allowed to use the rest.

Weather wise, well im in southampton so not bad weather for this country.
Ground, well it is all grass at the moment its over grown so i would need to tidy it up.

Mat

[Mrs Snoodles]

The best meat chickens you can raise pretty economically and make a good job of are hybrids like Ross cobs, hub bards, colour yields etc. You usually buy these from hatcheries as day olds and most places look for a minimum order of say 25.  Sounds a lot, but you might want to think about stocking up your freezer for a years supply. You tend to keep these for 14 weeks, then dispatch.

Alternatively, you could get large fowl utility chickens which you can use for eggs and meat. Any Sussex is a good bet, Indian game, ixworths.  What you tend to do with these, is raise the hens for eggs and breeding and use the unwanted cockerels for meat.  You don't waste anything then. Everything has a use.   

Whatever you do, don't rush in to it. There are so many breeds all of which have their merits.  It has taken me years and years to finally settle on my favourite .

[hughesy]

You won't get much of a dinner out of a bantam I don't think.

[Mammyshaz]

Local agri shows with poultry classes are a great place to visit to see what breeds look like once you have pinpointed which ones you like.

Birds solely for meat as mrs snoodles mentioned are great for the short term as are hybrids such as bovans for the eggs. If it is dual purpose then there are other more suited breeds such as the  Sussex

There are loads of web sites with photos of breeds and which ones are suited to which purpose. This site has a section on poultry in the livestock section which is a good read too.

I chose hybrids as our first hens 18 months ago as they tend to be shorter lived if we found it wasn't for us. And our purpose was eggs ( until I find somebody experienced who will observe me on a first dispatch just in case it goes wrong ).

Found them to be so easy to keep  but didn't realise how much time wasting they cause just watching their antics 

[Digmoweed]

So how long can you store chickens in the freezer for?

We eat two to 3 a week so 25 wouldnt be in the freezer that long, but how long will they stay in there

Mat

[Mrs Snoodles]

I keep mine for a year. We are all still alive   

[Brijjy]

When I first kept chooks, I started with your common or garden brown warren. The ones that are used in battery farms. Mine were all point of lay when I got them. Eggsellent (couldn't resist) layers but no good for eating. I have now moved on to pure breed large fowl and bantams as I like to look at them  . For eating I have muscovy ducks and geese. I would like to try some meat chickens at some point, probably next year. Whatever you go for, do your research and always come on here for advice