[LadyPluck]

Ok this should be the w/e when we finally get our new hens. I want to make sure we get healthy ones of course, and the ones we've decided on are
Light Sussex
Buff Sussex
Hybrid/Warren

How can I ensure I'm getting a healthy hen, and that its not gone past it's best in terms of age?

[Bigblacktaximan]

have a look on the pages here,
find someone close to you who'd be happy to let you visit and have a look.

from recent experience I did just that and went to see for myself, (not that I really knew what I was looking for/at)

the lady seemed knowledgable and helpful and any questions were readily answered, the hens I was shown all looked to be actively engaged in searching about and scratching fer food,  and looked to be well cared for and healthy.

I dont know what else to suggest,  try and buy at POL point of lay, that way birds shouldnt be too old and you shouldn't have to long to wait for your first eggs.

[grumpydad]

read books on chucks from a library, ask lots of questions, and look at the set up that the breeder has, do the chucks look healthy ?, are they scratching, but dont just look at the ones you are interested in, look at all the chucks that the breeder has.
if there are some standing looking tired and unwell, then dont buy any, diseases can spread between the birds, even if you are disappointed, wait, or go somewhere else, it will be easier in the long term, than buying chucks, only for them to become unwell and die.
make sure you have all the equipment and medication you will need before you start

[LadyPluck]

Thanks guys. I had gotten everything prepared well in advance. I finally have my ladies...and none of the ones I planned on buying LOL

I have read quite a bit of advice on here, on other chicken pages and in books from the library (I can thoroughly recommend the book Hen and the Art of Chicken Maintenance by Martin Gurdon for a bit of a giggle)



Left to right we have Lola, Aretha and Gladys in their travelling crate.
Gladys and Lola are Plymouth Buff Rocks, and Lola Aretha is a Buff Wyandotte. all 22 weeks

They seemed to settle well into the run, and were soon scratting about in the play bark. We had to help them to bed. as I guess they didn't know what to do.

[lucylou]

congratulations! they look lovely, hope you dont have to wait too long for your first egg