[karlooben]

my god i have just finished reading all this ,  hi feeb i'm looby { dont ask why i am called that actully i aint to sure why }  i have to admit the first few pages of this confused the daylights out of me but afterwards it made sense .

your best way of getting some good solid help is to just simply list 1 - 10 an place a question next to each number then no one gets confused.
as for the fox protection so far my run which is 1 year old has proved to be totally fox proof  but no doubt oneday they may get in { i wish them luck } well my farmer friend has his birds in a brick built stable strong doors etc weldmesh windows the foxes riped out the windows an took most his birds never undesimate the fox  hes a damn well smarter then we are i do say my run is fox proof but i am just waiting for something to happen .

theres more to just feeding the birds as well , theres the infections they get , the lice and other creepy crawlies etc etc it ant all plain sailing there will be times when you'll have to get them to the vet for antiboitics  bare in mind everything before you go as far as getting your birds . theres times when if i knew what i know now a year ago i would of thought very very hard about geting chickens .

[Aunt Sally]

... and you've done brilliantly with your chooks Looby

[karlooben]

i aint afraid to admit i have had my ups an downs but with a little help from friends like the peeps on here i made my first year as a chick chock keeper , except now i have been attacked my killer lice once more  :mad:time to get even 

[Kate and her Ducks]

OMG Aunty! That photo scared the life out of me and I live on the middle of a busy estate in Liverpool surrounded by busy roads. I know foxes can get her given the attack I had in the middle of the night last year ... but midday ... OMG. I really didn't need to get anymore paranoid!

[Foxy]

Hello Cally, if you are getting Silkies they are lovely pets, not the best in terms of egg laying and they are very docile so chose carefully what other breeds you have as well Loads of advice here for you!

[Callys Rainbow]

Hi Foxy I will do! My son has done lots of research and has found a local breeder who he's visited a few times so we'll keep researching until we're totally happy with what we know! I think thats why he's always wanted Silkies because of their temperament.....not too concerned about lots of eggs, just as and when would be good for us. My husband thinks we're mad though!  Oh and I've deleted the link I posted earlier....how did that happen  :blink:  Thankyou

[lucylou]

Hiya Feebs

I noticed you live in/near  :)salisbury - have you been to the rare breeds poultry auction at Netheravon? (Southern Counties auctions) its a great day out and you can have a good look at all the different breeds on show, ask people questions and buy loads of supplies, drinkers, feed etc. Lovely cafe for a good breakfast too.  The auction has a good reputation and You can download a catalogue if you interested.  Next sale is saturday 19th September, starts really early about 9.00 but you can look at the birds a lot earlier than that. I'm going just to look this time tho my friend might be buying some birds, i cant wait! good luck with it all
 lucylou

[Feeb]

Hiya - there are livestock auctions every tuesday at the racecourse here - i will probably head over to one of those next tuesday and get myself a few bargains - Liam has been busy making their nests again today and we are still planning the fox protection!

[GrannieAnnie]

Hi Feeb, when you go to the auction, don't get carried away, and be vigilant.  People often of load old worn out or sick birds at these places. Look over any birds you see that you like.  Make sure they are clear eyed, bright and alert.  no snotty nostrils, no sneezing, don't pick birds that look hunched up or sleepy.  Their legs should be lovely and smooth, no scales sticking up.

Hope you find something you like at a decent price!

[Feeb]

thank you grannie thats great advice, i was quite scared of the auction coz i have NO idea what its going to be like!

i am going to look for pre-layers rather than point-of-lays so i should be able to tell the age by size and by that really!  hopefully i will get some nice ones