Hens

OBrien · 30-05-2006 01:02PM #1

I've just bought a house out of town. The previous owners kept hens, and everything is set up for us to continue. I like the idea of fresh, free range eggs - does anybody know where or how to go about buying a few hens? Browsing the web throws up lots of possibilites in Britain, but not much over here.

Thanks

Sigma Force · 30-05-2006 04:23PM

Just in case disinfect the whole housing before you put new hens into it.
Are you looking for a specific breed or just hens in general for eggs?
There are a few people that rescue hens from batterys, they are not in great shape but do lay and within a few weeks of proper feed and care they improve and could provide you with eggs for a few years.
Also you could post on the homes offered section on petsireland and www.irishanimals.ie
We transported battery hens before and got a few eggs from them on their way in the car lol, poor things wern't in the best of shape but they do bounce back with a bit of TLC.

Our man in Havana · 30-05-2006 09:48PM

Bantums (sp) tend to be the best if you want to rear some chicks, you can keep a mix of hens, most battery ones tend to be Rhode Island Reds - there is a HUGE taste difference in your own eggs - free range hens will make a mess of the garden so you may have to supervise time out of their run etc.

OBrien · 01-06-2006 09:39AM

Thanks for the info - would like to try a couple of interesting breeds, like the Maran which apparently lays a mahogany-brown egg, but the idea of rescuing battery hens appeals too. I'll check out that site.

Hens

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