Where to buy chickens.
Over the last few years it has become increasingly popular to have a few chickens in the garden, time has turned back to the 50's and 60's where it was the norm and now things have returned to how they used to be.
It seems many families have returned to poultry keeping for the opportunity to have their own fresh eggs.
There are many places where you will find chickens for sale; it is quite common for people to buy in hens from large pullet growers in larger numbers and to then sell them to the general public in smaller numbers but at a greater price.
When buying chickens it is always important to ask the supplier where their hens came from, if they cannot give you a sensible answer then you should look elsewhere.
The best place to buy chickens is from the premises who reared them in the first place, here you will be able to see the conditions of the poultry and what type of life they have had up until "Point of Lay".
When purchasing the birds you need to check they have nice clean clear eyes, clean backside and no lice or mites.
When going to the poultry rearing farm would be worth seeing if it is a mess or is kept tidy, a messy farm will usually mean the stock will not be kept at their best.
You need to know how old the hens are; chickens are usually purchased just before they start their laying career at "Point of Lay", this will mean they are between 16-21 weeks old.
For the small poultry keeper the best chickens to buy are free-range reared.
Free range reared chickens will have been allowed outside the building at the youngest age as soon as they are fully feathered and no longer require the warmth and safety of the poultry house.
When you get the chickens home they need to be places in the coop and allowed to stay there for a few days to allow them to settle in and learn where home is.
A good layers ration in the form of either layers pellets or layers mash must be given so they always have access to food.
Water must also have access to good clean water 24hrs a day.
Chickens also need Oyster shell and grit; this can be acquired very easily and cheaply.
The oyster shell is to give the birds a good supply of calcium for bones feathers and eggshell strength, the grit needs to be given in small amounts to the bird to go into its gizzard which then uses the grit to grind down the food a which aids digestion.
Grit and oyster shell usually come mixed together and can be bought from most country stores.
Lastly you will need to keep an eye on mites and lice which can effect poultry, a thorough dusting of a red mite and lice powder every 4-6 weeks should help.
Chicken keeping is easy, and they are the most productive pet possible laying up to 320 eggs in their first year.
Over the last few years it has become increasingly popular to have a few chickens in the garden, time has turned back to the 50's and 60's where it was the norm and now things have returned to how they used to be.
It seems many families have returned to poultry keeping for the opportunity to have their own fresh eggs.
There are many places where you will find chickens for sale; it is quite common for people to buy in hens from large pullet growers in larger numbers and to then sell them to the general public in smaller numbers but at a greater price.
When buying chickens it is always important to ask the supplier where their hens came from, if they cannot give you a sensible answer then you should look elsewhere.
The best place to buy chickens is from the premises who reared them in the first place, here you will be able to see the conditions of the poultry and what type of life they have had up until "Point of Lay".
When purchasing the birds you need to check they have nice clean clear eyes, clean backside and no lice or mites.
When going to the poultry rearing farm would be worth seeing if it is a mess or is kept tidy, a messy farm will usually mean the stock will not be kept at their best.
You need to know how old the hens are; chickens are usually purchased just before they start their laying career at "Point of Lay", this will mean they are between 16-21 weeks old.
For the small poultry keeper the best chickens to buy are free-range reared.
Free range reared chickens will have been allowed outside the building at the youngest age as soon as they are fully feathered and no longer require the warmth and safety of the poultry house.
When you get the chickens home they need to be places in the coop and allowed to stay there for a few days to allow them to settle in and learn where home is.
A good layers ration in the form of either layers pellets or layers mash must be given so they always have access to food.
Water must also have access to good clean water 24hrs a day.
Chickens also need Oyster shell and grit; this can be acquired very easily and cheaply.
The oyster shell is to give the birds a good supply of calcium for bones feathers and eggshell strength, the grit needs to be given in small amounts to the bird to go into its gizzard which then uses the grit to grind down the food a which aids digestion.
Grit and oyster shell usually come mixed together and can be bought from most country stores.
Lastly you will need to keep an eye on mites and lice which can effect poultry, a thorough dusting of a red mite and lice powder every 4-6 weeks should help.
Chicken keeping is easy, and they are the most productive pet possible laying up to 320 eggs in their first year.
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