[richyrich7]

I'm looking to increase my flock a little, thought I might try hatching a few myself.

So where to buy eggs for hatching from ? any suggestions I've seen em on ebay anybody bought any from there ?  I'm not desperate for them now but starting to look about. Any suggestions for a good laying breed, thinking of light sussex ? to go with my hybrids.

And what % girl/boy are am I likely to get.

Thanks

[MontyTom]

male v female is left to nature - you takes your chances!

Be careful on ebay, I have been ripped off on there and seen loads of people buying eggs cheap at markets for sale on there at VERY overinflated prices.  My advice, goto the markets yourself ad get a better deal.  at least if things go wrong or you get a low hatch rate, you aint spent a fortune.

are you going to use a broody hen or incubator?

[richyrich7]

Cheers Monty, thought I would try to get my hands on an incubator or make one.
Any idea at what age they could go in with my original hens, I thought I'd brood them in the shed where my others live so they could see each other but not get to each other. Good idea do you think ? There's a power supply so heat and light etc no problem.

Melton Market's not to far away so I might go have a look there.

[muntjac]

get ya a copy of practical poultry n lok for breeders addreses etc in ur local

[MontyTom]

Cheers Monty, thought I would try to get my hands on an incubator or make one.
Any idea at what age they could go in with my original hens, I thought I'd brood them in the shed where my others live so they could see each other but not get to each other. Good idea do you think ? There's a power supply so heat and light etc no problem.

Melton Market's not to far away so I might go have a look there.

Don't think you should brood them near big uns!?  (read about this in  katie thear)  It is ok when they are bigger (16 wks plus I think - check with Muntjac) to get them used to each other before you integrate them fully.  I let my new bantam cockerel in the garden with 8 week old chicks tonight, accidentally.  He went straight for them, so be careful!

[richyrich7]

Ok Monty thanks for that. Something else to add to the pot, my wife's of the opinion I just ought to buy some at POL

[muntjac]

as monty says dont raise chicks near ya bigguns unles that really have masses of space to get out the way .and mix em up at pol but let em see each other for weeks aforehand