[Ariege]

I wonder if anyone else who lives in France reads this forum. I have kept chickens for a number of years and worked on several organic farms which have had flocks as well. Now I am going to set up a little chicken business on my land in the Pyrenees.

Well, if there are any other English speaking chicken keepers with experience of the French poultry scene I would welcome any and all advice. My spoken French is good, but there is still nothing as good as advice from someone who has trodden the path before.

I wonder about good sources of birds/hatching eggs; differences between UK regs and French regs, if any; how feasible it would be for example, to source birds in the UK and bring them to France; comparisons of prices for equipment between the two countries....... well any advice at all.

[joyfull]

hello and welcome, we have several members from France on here so hopefully one will be along shortly 

[Junie]

hi, I am living in France with Chickens, but only for our own use.
I never kept chickens in the UK so I'm afraid I cannot really help there. 
From what I understand about the regs, they tend to be EC regulations although the french always have their own twist on these things!
I have trouble finding  a broad range of equipment in France for small scale chicken keeping, and of course the internet is of no use whatsoever.  I get all my feed and equipment form GammVert, as we have one in our village.

It would be great to know how you get on with all the rules and regs, my broken ( but progressing) french would stop me doing anything like that.

Where abouts in the Pyrenees are you?

[Potiron]

 Hi .
    Re. the hatching eggs, I have a friend who has retired, living in France, and will start to make available, fertile eggs this spring ( it was a hobby but now has become a passion ).
  Though the site is still under construction have a look at http://www.hatchingeggsinfrance.com

[Junie]

Hi .
    Re. the hatching eggs, I have a friend who has retired, living in France, and will start to make available, fertile eggs this spring ( it was a hobby but now has become a passion ).
  Though the site is still under construction have a look at http://www.hatchingeggsinfrance.com

Looks good, I may well be tempted in the spring - some lovely breeds there!

[elibump]

Bienvenue!!!

We get our pol chickens either from the local coop shop along with feed or every month there is a terrific market which sells poultry very cheaply, we found it better to source our birds from different places.  If you know of someone coming over to see you it might,at the moment, be cheaper to ask them to bring you equipment over (exchange rate being what it is).  Often the locals will be able to tell you which is the best market to go to for poultry.

As for selling it I really dont know but google a site called Pigs in France, they might have more information for you and there may be someone on the site near to you.

Feel free to pm me if I can help any more.

Eli xx  (Dordogne)

[Potiron]

 Hi Junie.
       Yes they do have some lovely breeds and are hoping to add some Croad Langshans and Norfolk Greys to the list.

[Ariege]

Thanks for all the replies folks. I will check out the links.

With the help of some friends I have discovered that there is a poultry market not too far away every Monday morning....... so I shall get myself over there one Monday soon and see what I can find.

With regard to reg's for selling eggs, they are identical to those in use in the UK. So for us we will have to date/origin stamp eggs and put a certain amount of information on box labels.

I shall post more as our plans hopefully advance. As of right now we only have a few chickens and they are busy working on the new beds on the veg terraces.

[elibump]

Which part of La Belle France are you in Ariege?  If we know maybe we can give more accurate advice.

Eli xx

[Junie]

Which part of La Belle France are you in Ariege?  If we know maybe we can give more accurate advice.

Eli xx

I would guess at Ariege   

[elibump]

    I am blonde you know, yes, really 

Eli xx

[Alby]

Im enjoying this thread as I intend to retire to SW France in a couple of years and I will continue to keep some chooks 

    Alby

[elibump]

If we can help Albie, let us know.

Eli xx

[Junie]

  I am blonde you know, yes, really 

Eli xx

[brookieme]

Hi,
I live and work in Southern France /Aude.  New to having chickens so all help welcome.
Thanks