[dshand]

Hi, I may be in for an allotment pretty soon and would love to keep some hens - I am totally mad on chooks!!!

I'd love to have a couple of Rhode Island Reds and have been surfing the web for quite a bit now.  I am in south Cumbria and am willing to travel within reason.  Has anyone got any info where to buy?  Maybe Auction Mart or direct from farmers?  And how much is reasonable amount to fork out? Any advice is greatly appriciated. Many thanks.
Diana

[Fisherman]

If you go to the Chicken Keeping page via the allotment home page you will find a section where you can search for poultry suppliers by county. There are a few suppliers in Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire supplying RIR's. Cost wise 10 - 15 pound for a hybrid and 20 - 25 pound for a pure breed. If you haven't kept chickens before seek advice either by searching the forum pages or posting a question. You need to consider: -

Coop and run selection (or construction).
Bedding materials.
Feeding and watering.
Welfare i.e. worming, pest control.
Selection of healthy poultry.
Etc.

Most experts advise to get at least 3 hens, if you only have 2 and one dies the other will be left alone which is not good. From 3 hens you will get about 20 eggs per week during their peak laying period, probably less in winter due to the shorter days. Egg laying deteriorates afetr 2 - 3 years especially in hybrids.

As already said if you have any doubts post a question on the forum and you will get a great response from the experts and others new to chicken keeping.

[joyfull]

this is the link to the suppliers page that Fisherman was telling you about 


http://www.poultry.allotment-garden.org/poultry-suppliers/index.php

[dshand]

Thanks for the advice and link.  I am passionately reading up on them and talk to folk who have been or are keeping chooks.