[lara]

I wish I had chickens when my children were young instead of Rabbits who just look cute, at least you get daily rewards and they are fun to watch, not so sure they are that thick, they run fast when there is any treats and I saw one hide behind something so none of the other chickens could see what she had, easy animals to look after, it's children that make the work and cost you money!!!!

Yes I agree & mother nature is very crafty and makes children look so cute when they are young so that we want some.....

[CarraghsBorderCollies]

i have both rabbits and chickens, im breeding the rabbits for the pet market but if i get more than i can sell a few of them might just end up on the dinner table

although i would also like a pair/trio of new zealand white rabbits!!!!!!!!!

[harry]

yup a misarable old fart......... they can cost but i would never call in the vet for £30 for a sick chicken, mine get the chop if sick, some people may not agree with my methods but thats the way i do it, ( thats why i dont keep pigs, sheep etc ), the healthy ones also get the chop for the table thats what its all about...... get some birds and find your own way.

[Birdie Wife]

I suppose from a vet's perspective, you can buy a POL hen for less than a fiver but it it gets sick then meds can cost an awful lot more than the value of the hen. Most chickens are very hardy though - get started with something like a Black Rock and you're laughing.

[northfifeduckling]

He won't be able to put me off  , never regretted a minute since we had the ducks, so chucks are next! 

[Tullywood Farm]

Unfortunately a lot of vets just hate it when you turn up with a chicken.

They place very little value on the birds and do not want to deal with them.

Our local vet passes people on to Joe, my husband if they contact him about chickens as he admits himself that Joe has more experience that he has dealing with them. Joe has bred over 50 different breeds over the last 7 years, and recently got back into it again after a short break.

There is not a lot that can go wrong really, worm them twice a year, make sure they have grit, water and good food, and lock them in at night, and you will have little problems.

Go ahead and get some - there's nothing better than watching them scratch and collecting the lovely eggs.

Good luck - and if you do have any problems do not hesitate to ask Joe for help.

regards
Julie

[Lizmar]

Thanks it has made me more determined.  I have some some people locally who breed chickens and are willing to advise me.  They are also looking for the best hen house for me to buy locally, which is really nice of them.
They seem to think Speckled Sussex are a good starting point, is that right?  They also have a nice little website http://www.poulacapplepoultry.com/index.html - perhaps they should join TAS, will have to mention it to them

[Tullywood Farm]

White Sussex and True Rhode Island REd are good

Welsummers are excellent too.  All above produce lots of eggs and look great!

Bantams lay smaller eggs but are really nice, and easy to keep as they do not make too much mess, and tend to keep their pens greener than their larger relatives.

Good Luck and happy hens

Julie

[Janette1970]

Not got any chickens yet but my mum has had them for a year or 2 now. I think she's had the odd one die but NEVER had the vet out!!!! And SOOOO many eggs!!!!
Not quite sure how she gets the yolks so bright, her cakes are almost flourescent!!!!(but very nice  )

[doganjo]

Not quite sure how she gets the yolks so bright,

  Free ranging on greenery gives the colour in yolks I believe

[northfifeduckling]

I believe that most pellets also contain a colourant (commonly used in orange cheeses, is it called Annato?) to make yolks a richer colour. Organic pellets should be free from it. 

[shetlandpaul]

feed them corn ie flaked maize and you will have nice rich eggs.

[doganjo]

I was told that maize only changed the body colour to a yellowy look but not the egg?

[Tullywood Farm]

I never fed maize - but always thought it was my tomatoes that made the yolks really orange
as they love my home grown tomatoes.

Julie

[jameslindsay]

Julie I think it is safe to say that the chooks will eat anything and everything! Mine certainly do.