[R66VEY]

Im looking at getting some meat chickens .but i dont no how to go about it !!i want some day old but i havent got a heat lamp or anythink or can you buy them as growers ?? or can i just raise them without a heat lamp but next to a really warm radiator ??

[GrannieAnnie]

Well, our day olds have a shed as their brooder and the equipment didn't cost much, but if you wanted to try some in the house and it was nice and warm, I'd just get a nice BIG box for them.  (How many are you looking at getting as they soon grow BIG!!!!!) and put one of theose red fireglow lamps in for the first couple of weeks.  Munty doesn't use a red bulb at all, but then he prefers using a broody hen!!

You'll need a small feeder and drinker for a bit, but I find they outgrow them after the first couple of days and I have to put a bigger one in!  You'e lucky thinking of doig it now when the weather is t last warming up a bit!

Simon Skinner of Poulet Anglais is at Old Bolingbroke where we get our chicks, and I know he sells as little as 10 at a time, but if you collect and wanted less, I'm sure he oblige as he's a decent bloke!  day olds are 50p each to collect, 80p delivered depending on whether your on  delivery route!  His email is pouletanglais@ukonline.co.uk.

I am always willing to tell people about Simon, because it is rare to find a business man (well, primarily he's a farmer, but you have to be cute in business these days too!!) who is so caring about his products and his customers!!!

I'm near Bicker, if you ever get down this way, give us a call and pop in, I can show you our little set up if you'd like!!!?

[mdueal]

We have some of his too and brooded them in an old converted shelving unit in back bedroom with a lamp. Lamp wasn't expensive as got it off ebay and the plastic feeders were a couple of pounds each.

We did some working out of costs for interest. We reckon we will have spend about £60 to raise 15 birds (mainly feed cost but including lamp and feeders which are reusable and straw etc) So that is £4 a bird. I wouldnt mind having spent more either, as the satisfaction of knowing where they have come from, what they have eaten, how they have lived etc is worth far more!

There are some pics and videos on my blog if you want to see. They get big quickly though. Our 15 ate 6kg of feed over the weekend - filled up feeder first this saturday and it was empty by monday!!

[bedifferent]

I was hoping to brood 5 or 6 meat birds in the garage under a heat lamp but i think it may be too cold so i have moved the brooding box into the lounge (which my wife did not object to......?). I feel a shopping spree coming on  :? I understand that keeping them warm enough is vital and so i am keen not to get it wrong. Will probably move them out into the garage when they are bigger and look like they can cope with lower temps.

[R66VEY]

yes thanks grannie annie ill get in touch with him !!