I'm thinking of buying a few chickens, I have a really big garden and would like to be a bit greener and have my own supply of eggs. I need some pointers as to where abouts are the best places to buy them please, any help appreciated.

Many thanks

My biggest concern would be the foxes we have around here

Good point lots of foxes and also I recommend you get your neighbours on side.
Sorry can oly offer the above poultry advice

Don't buy the frozen ones from Sainsburys, they don't lay many eggs.

What you need is an Eglu http://www.omlet.co.uk/homepage/homepage.php

Good idea! I have friends out of town who keep their own chickens and the taste is fantastic. The nearest place I could find is here:

http://www.samspoultry.co.uk

Good luck!

Thanks guyz, loved the jokes about the frozen ones! ha! neighbours are fine about it, but as you say we have a lot of foxes around, don't fancy waking up to shredded chicken carcasses, but will persevere

Hi,

Been thinking about doing the same things for ages.

How about adopting ex battery hens? That way you can have fresh eggs and give a new lease of life to some poor chickens. You can try contacting the following organisations, Battery Hen Welfare Trust and Hen ReHomers UK. You might have to wait a little bit, but it's probably worth it.



http://www.bhwt.org.uk/

http://www.hr-uk.info/

When my sister-in-law was trying to persuade me to let her keep chickens vicariously, she gave me loads of info on eglus - fox-proof chicken houses. Company which sells them will deliver you the chickens as well, and they run courses and stuff. A bit of an investment, but then it would be worth it if they really are fox-proof, as you'd save in the long-run by not having to get new chickens and do your own repairs on a coop every time one got taken.

Here's the link

http://www.omlet.co.uk/products_services...rvices.php

Also thought of an Eglu but they are so expensive (?400!) especially if it turns out that chicken keeping is not for you. I saw this being launched a few years ago at the Urban Gardnes Show.
I would however be very willing to give a good home to a second hand eglu if anyone has one going. There is also a forum on the Eglu website where people discuss chicken keeping and you can arrange to visit someone with one to get an idea of whats involved. My brother in law keeps chickens in Worcester and thinks that they are fantastic animals and well worth it the time and energy however thinks an Eglu is a complete rip off.
The frequency of egg laying is generally not as prolific as people think and certain things can stop egg production altogether so its not the continuous supply that some companies might suggest.

Has anyone bought their chickens? I am waiting for a cheap Eglu needing a good home before taking the plunge.

Ros - you might like to try ebay if you haven't already ...