Anyone want chickens?

Discussion in 'Livestock' started by Sussexgardener, May 13, 2010.

  1. Sussexgardener

    Sussexgardener Gardener

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    This is a long shot, but is there anyone in Sussex, Surrey, Kent that wants some chickens or to add to their flock?

    I am overwhelmed with broody bantams (time of year) and I am considering giving them some eggs to hatch out. I can probably find homes for the babies once they are old enough, but I thought I ask here first.

    Breed can be arranged - I have no preference as I'm not going to keep any babies for myself due to being fully stocked already, so it's all down to personal preference or what eggs I can find! The only cost would be the initial cost of the eggs and their feed once hatched.

    So, any takers?
     
  2. boebrummie

    boebrummie Gardener

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    wish you lived by me. im thinking about having chucks. i used to help an elderly person when i was a kid with they're chucks and loved the fresh eggs. and being chased around the garden by the male chuck.
     
  3. RandyRos

    RandyRos Gardener

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  4. Sussexgardener

    Sussexgardener Gardener

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    Hmmmm, not quite the idea I was thinking of! :)
     
  5. Sussexgardener

    Sussexgardener Gardener

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    I can recommend having chickens - much easier than a cat or dog to look after (with a secure run/house they can be left for a weekend if you want to go away) and you get fresh eggs.
     
  6. NatalieB

    NatalieB Gardener

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    What a thoughtful chook daddy you are! I just went and checked to see if we want to venture into chickens again......but would mean redoing the back garden making a secure area away from the duck pond for them......and given the heavy chalk base up there, nobody seems to be into doing the work! We did have one chicken (hatched in incubator with ducks, so thought it was a duck......hmmmmm) but she even got taken by a fox in broad daylight - so would involve definitely having to have a secured area. But thank you for thinking of offering them here!

    Duck eggs? Would you be wanting any ducklings should my broody duck be actually sitting on fertile eggs?
     
  7. Sussexgardener

    Sussexgardener Gardener

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    You can hatch duck eggs under a broody bantam hen :) Amusing to watch as mother hen has a fit when the ducklings want to go swimming!
     
  8. NewbieGreen

    NewbieGreen Gardener

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    that sounds funny :)
     
  9. boebrummie

    boebrummie Gardener

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    lol, do they adopt them as there own,
     
  10. boebrummie

    boebrummie Gardener

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    what size should the pen be. and do you only use them for eggs or do you sometimes have 1 for a sunday roast. :wink:
     
  11. Sussexgardener

    Sussexgardener Gardener

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    As big as you can afford to have it, yes, only for eggs and no, not for eating as we only keep bantams. If we had more room, I'd happily raise a dual purpose breed (hens for eggs, cocks for meat).
     
  12. Victoria

    Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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    Gosh, you know I'd have them in a moment Sweets only for the eggs and we would truly love a couple but not sure of our space ... I could NEVER eat a pet .... :ntwrth: s00k :flag:
     
  13. NatalieB

    NatalieB Gardener

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    Hmmmmm, if you are headed to Shiney's open day in a couple of weeks, let me know, I shall save the duck eggs......or would she have lost her broodiness by then do you think? Can always meet you somewhere to do a 'handover'......I will save eggs over the next couple of days if you like?
     
  14. AirAssisted

    AirAssisted Gardener

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    Perhpas not of any use, but the deeds of my house actually state we cannot keep chickens!
     
  15. NatalieB

    NatalieB Gardener

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    oh really AA? We live rural, as we did in our last place, so the animals aren't a problem. I'd really miss my ducks if I couldn't have them :(
     
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