[daisydays]

Hi All,

WE are loking at getting some chickens this year and could do with some advice.

I have read through a few books, and done much research on online, but still have questions and queries.

Firstly, any general advice on starting up? anything that maybe you wish you had known?

Secondly, how do you decide where to get your first chickens from?!? i have found a few places local to us, and one reads really nice, with a lovely attitude, BUT.......
as a novice, how do I know that they are everything they say they are?
ie -I was told that I need to make sure that our chickens are vaccinated - but apprently that there are a lot of people that SAY the chickens are vaccinated, but are not done- is this really the case?!

Really appreciate any comments and advice,
Thanks!

[kegs]

Welcome Daisydays.

Here's a good thread of things you will need when you get your chickens.

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=90890.0

As for where you get them from and whether they are medicated - it's difficult to say really.  You may need to ask anyone you know who already own chickens for their advice.  Also if you have suppliers in mind, why don't you pay them a visit without buying.  Have a look around and see what you think of their premises, hygiene and the birds themselves.  Then compare them to each other and go with the one you think had the healthiest birds.