My friend had three turkeys and named them Mohawk, Sioux and Pawnee. Don't ask me why!
I think naming chooks after flowers is a nice idea.

aishakali wrote: Grandson Guy who's 2 wanted to name one Gordon

That made me smile.

That's it then, my short list is one breed longer now. I had planned to start with only three hens, but looks like it will be more like six! That is, when I eventually get the run and coop finished. Why is it these things always take about three times longer to do than you thought?

I came across this by chance m" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; This is an ivermectin spot on for birds & it claims to treat roundworms as well. I know this subject has come up occasionally but no one seems sure wh...

Have just ordered a trigger mechanism from TriggerHappyChickens after having seen one breeder using a home made version of the trigger - it was an open padlock hanging from a hole in the bottom of a plastic tub suspended above ground by a wooden frame. The chicks would nudge the padlock and then sc...

Are you saying that, according to DEFRA, you can't feed them veg peelings or left over mash? Ridiculous.

Why not cooked potato peelings?

My friend, who has kept chooks for donkeys years and also ran a rescue, buys spaghetti just for her chickens. A batch gets cooked up every night for them.

I'd love a rooster, but even though I live in the countryside, one neighbour over the road wouldn't be too keen. Maybe in the future, when I move them to a run at the back of the garden which backs onto an old graveyard, I may get one. Do you think hens are happier having a boy around to look after ...

Thanks for all the info, all taken on board.
I notice you all feed layers mash/pellets, and I will too, but it makes me wonder how the hens of years ago, who were never fed commercial food, managed to lay? Or was it just one or two eggs a week?

I was reading the thread about keeping chickens in the 50's. and how they were fed on scraps etc. When I get my girls, I plan to feed them on layers pellets and corn, plus veggie leftovers, peelings, leftover bread etc. But is there anything they shouldn't have?

Poor little sausage. What a horrible shock for you too. At least it was quick and she had a nice week with you.

Because we lived in business premises, we weren't able to keep chickens when I was young, but funny enough I was talking to my step dad about keeping them , and he said they had a cockerel as a pet. He used to sit on his dad's lap in the evenings. And it was common for the neighbours to keep them fo...

Before I went to have a look round a local poultry auction I had my shortlist sorted for birds I would like. But there were some Wyandottes there that I really liked the look of, and I have found some available locally. So, does anyone here keep them and if so what are they like? Friendly? Good laye...

What is your tip for keeping your girls cool ? Last year to keep the mine busy for about 10 seconds and to keep them cool we had sweet corn and pea bobbing A bowl of water and sweet corn and peas .Not only are they having fun but you know they are drinking . http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa34...

PS - one of the prisons where I visit rear hens as therapy. They give the chicks away to anyone who can prove that they are able to look after them. Honestly, the way you find things out. Does this mean those chicks are JAIL BIRDS?!?!?! Sorry bmpsands, couldnt resist I have asked around to no avail...

I've looked on Preloved, Gumtree, Bird Trader, have emailed egg sellers on Ebay, bought a copy of Practical Poultry for the classified ads., searched the internet yada yada, and so far have only found one breeder who has anything I'd be interested in, but they charge around £30 per bird, which to me...