[Daisy]

I'm planning to get some chickens in the spring, I've got the hen house, have to sort out the very overgrown area where they are going to live and have seen a really nice run from these people http://www.gardenlife.biz/ so just need to decide what and where to get them from any advice would be great, I'm near to Kelso

[Gorse-Lea]

There's a list of breeders here www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/poultry-suppliers

I got my first few from a friend of a friend, but now go to local poultry fairs. It's easier when you know what to avoid.

Will be breeding some next year (hopefully)

[Farmer Fly]

Hello Diasy
I know a place were some laying hens are going to market tomorrow
If you PM me or rely to this I will give you the number
They are only £1.00 but fanstic layers!!
Thanks

[Big Light]

Depends what your looking for if its just a few hybrid hens for laying eggs get them as local as you can.

 If you are looking for good pure breeds then there are a few Autumn sales left there is a rare breed sale in dingwall mart ( probably to far) the first weekend of November) there is also another at Longtown auction mart about the third weekend in November.

If you are waiting till next spring then the Scottish national poultry show usually about the 3rd weekend in January is at Lanark Auction mart and is on the Saturday and Sunday. It has a sale class the birds there are usually of top quality ( you may have to pay a little more (BUT THEY ARE A FIXED PRICE unlike auctions) ) You can also see the judged classes and compare the birds that won tickets to those on offer. If you are looking a little later in 2012 then there are spring poultry sale's usually about march / April at longtown, dingwall and also carlisle auction mart, the carlisle mart is usually a carded sale ie they get someone to judge the quality of the bird, so if you have not a great deal of experience its a hint for a step

What ever you do go for birds with a bright eye, and alert carriage , if its hunched up, lethargic and dull forget about it

Good luck

[SallyintNorth]

Fab advice and info there from Big Light.

The only thing I would add is to watch out for scaley leg (whether buying from breeders or a sale) - you don't want to bring it home with you if you can possibly avoid it.  If the individual scales on the leg are lifting at all, or are crusty, or if the leg looks in any way other than shiny and full of health, pass by.

[bigchicken]

My advice is to steer clear of poultry sales unless you know what you are doing and buy from a reputable breeder who has what you fancy. Buy the best you can afford 

[Mel]

I would most certainly second that by Bigchicken......Well,Not unless you want a lot of work in nursing them better!(I don't mind,I'm completely potty,but the last lot were probably the worst you could find.) 

[Daisy]

Thank you for all the info, I just want about 4 hardy friendly birds for eggs, they will free range when we are at home and be in a run when we're not 

[Big Light]

Black Rocks are pretty bomb proof and will give you plenty eggs

[Mel]

I have to admit,I did once buy ten hens from Anna & Paul-Cambridge Poultry. The birds appeared fine,however I did buy two leghorns point of lay,one became very very sick and died,the other I had to cull because of Mareks. odd that,I did call and mention the fact that a vaccinated hen should not have got it.Must have been in it's genes as they were still under quarantine prior to adding them to my flock. These point of lay hens were then £10.00 each. It was very odd.The other hens are still here going through a major moult!

[Buffy the eggs layer]

Appologies--for--the--dashes--my--space--bar--wont--work.

Getting--your--birds--in--spring--is--very--sensible.-It--gives--you--time--to--decide--what--you--want.

If--you--want--good--quality--pure--breeds--to--breed--from--and--show--or--sell.-Then--buy--ehibition--quality--from--a--breeder--with--prize--winning--stock.

If--you--want--lots--of--eggs--buy--hybrids--from--a--comercial--breeder.

If--you--want--cheap--good--layers--and--are--prepaired--to--put--the--time--and--money--into--getting--them--right--buy--ex--battery--hens.

If--you--want--birds--that--lay--well--and--are--large--enough--to--feed--a--family--buy--from--autility--breeder--not--a-show--breeder.

And--if--you--want--to--support--a--rare--breed--then--buy--from--a--local--enthusiast.

But--what--ever--you--do--dont--ask--which--us--type--is--best--as--everyone--will--tell--you--that--theirs--are--when--really--its--my--Croad--langshans

Buffy

[darkbrowneggs]

  Have to agree with that Buffy.  And I will say nothing about English Cuckoo Marans

By the way - do you have any photos of the eggs your Croads lay?  I have heard they are a pinkish plum colour, and I thought some might look rather fetching with these

[Buffy the eggs layer]

Hi_DBE,


They_do_produce_a_plumy_coloured_egg_but_to_get_a_really_good_egg_colour_you_have_to_breed_for_it.-I_am_trying_to_perfect_blues_so_my_egg_colour_is_not_as_strong_as_it_could_be_as_I'm_breeding_for_colour_and_confirmation.

Imroving_egg_colour_is_something_that_I_do_plan_work_on_but_will_send_you_a_pic_of_my_eggs.

Buffy