[Gobsheen]

Hi,
Still a complete noob and still reading my chicken book so I know where to start!

I'm struggling to find much info on what is in Fife relating to chickens.....poultry suppliers (found 1 in St Andrews), hardware suppliers....anything really!  I'm between Dunfermline & Kincardine.  Any chicken keepers nearby?  I'm sure there's loads but don't know any.

Any guidance would really help.

I'm starting to plan my coop and have a million questions building up so if there was a supplier/breeder/keeper nearby, a quick visit and chat with them might answer a lot.  Looking forward to fresh eggs in the Spring!

[joyfull]

Check out equine places too as they often sell poultry related products and feed. Purple spary and wound powder along with apple cider vinegar, garlic are all found in equine suppliers. I use hamcore as a bedding and this too is for stables 
We do have some Scottish members so fingers crossed they will be able to offer more advice.
There are a lot of chicken keepers and breeders in Scotland and they have a really large show called the Scottish National Poultry Show which I recommend you take a trip to later this year 

[Diddy Gardener]

Hiya Gobsheen,

I'm in Fife... ish (just outside Kinross). Farm supply shops are usually good for feed and feeders etc - luckily we have one locally. Breeders - I guess that will depend partly on what kind of chooks you want. I know there's a guy in Perth breeds Black Rocks and a place out near Tibbermore which is advertising pullets, can't remember what kind - the 'typical' farmyard light brown coloured chicken.

We got our chicken house from a place in Oban but I'm sure there are ones locally... they did deliver it though.

If you think I can be of help at all, give me a shout.

[Gobsheen]

Thanks Guys,
I never thought of equine places......will look it up.

Diddy, I may well contact you again for some more local info!  Still deciding on the breed but after good layers who'll also be good pets for the kids.  Thinking 4 chickens.....2 each of 2 breeds for a bit of variation.

[Diddy Gardener]

Well, we've got two black rocks and (I remembered what they were!) two lohmann browns. All very friendly - in fact, if you have food, they are your friends for life! All good egg layers too... the hybrids are better egg layers than the pure breeds (I think) in that they lay more eggs in a shorter period of time. All chooks have a finite number of eggs - hybrids are good for about 3 (?) years... pure breeds lay eggs not as regularly but over a longer period.

They're all characters... your kids will love them - they like to be cuddled and petted - and you get eggs! It's a win/win situation!

If you want to visit or whatever, seriously, give me a shout and we'll set something up.

[Gobsheen]

Thanks very much for the offer......I might well take you up. It would be great for us all to see how everything should look before we jump into it! Might avoid a home-made coop disaster too!

[Geo]

I'm not that far away from you in Wishaw. There is local trader who specialises in weld wire that would be required if planning to build a run for the chickens. I built a 5m x 2m x2m high run and the weld wire was not that dear. PM me if you need more info.
The most recent chickens I bought were from the Carlisle area. I paid £10 for each sussex hybrids I would have been charged £20 local for the same type of hybrid.

[Gobsheen]

Thanks Geo......PM on its way!

[agapanthus]

There is a feeds supplier in Milnathort...bit expensive though but they do have locals who advertise there, for chickens and the like.
Have been in Fife for over 4 years and hav'nt found a decent breeder yet. Though there is a feather and fur society in Leslie....the members usually go in for show breeders - you may find a source through them.
If you want some special breeds I have a very good friend who breeds some gorgeous birds in Peebles......give me a shout if you want her number.

[Gobsheen]

Thanks agapanthus.
I might contact you about your friend in Peebles.  Going to get stuck into the coop & run planning.
Are breeders rated in any way on the forum?  It's very hard to know what's what when you're starting out.....although you're clearly being very helpful!  I found a breeder in Cumbernauld but no idea if others have purchased from them.  I just want to know that the chickens we start out with are healthy and were raised properly etc.

[agapanthus]

Thanks agapanthus.
I might contact you about your friend in Peebles.  Going to get stuck into the coop & run planning.
Are breeders rated in any way on the forum?  It's very hard to know what's what when you're starting out.....although you're clearly being very helpful!  I found a breeder in Cumbernauld but no idea if others have purchased from them.  I just want to know that the chickens we start out with are healthy and were raised properly etc.

It is very hard when you first start out.....some breeders really do take advantage of greenhorns!! I think word of mouth is the best way to go. 

[Geo]

I have sent you a PM

[Gobsheen]

Me again!

Well, the coop is finally getting started so nearly ready to buy our chooks.  Can anyone recommend POL breeders/suppliers that are reasonably local?  I'm still flexible on breeds but plan to have a mix.  It would suit me better to get them from the one supplier too......I'm happy to do without introducing chickens to each other on my first day! 

There's one in Alloa and another in Dollar listed here.  Any good or bad experiences?  PM me if you'd rather keep your thoughts less public! 
The one in Dollar (Hillfoots Henz) looks to have a good selection of breeds.  Alloa just has one breed unfortunately.  Good selection in St. Andrews (Hens Made Easy) but 20+ quid each seems on the steep side. 

Any pointers would be great!

[GrannieAnnie]

Have you tried these people?  They are on the Registry of black rock rearers, but I don't know if they are still doing them or if they are any good.

Melvyn Waters
2 CreighFarm Cott
Cupar
Fife
KY15 4PA

Tel:  01337 870463
Mobile:  07974 973026

and is this the one you found in St Andrews?

Jocelyn Scott
South Dron Cottage
By St.Andrews
KY16 9YA
Tel: 01334 870637
Email: scott.dron@tiscali.co.uk
Website: www.henkeepingfife.co.uk

[Gobsheen]

Thanks,
Sorry about the delay.....been building the coop!  Getting very close to being able to buy our chickens.  The St. Andrews one is the supplier I'd already looked at.  I'll contact the Cupar guy to see what they have.

Anyone have any first hand experience of these or any supplier within a reasonable distance of Fife?  I really don't want to learn the hard way by buying from somewhere that's not run properly.