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Chickens


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14 replies to this topic

#1
adrian007

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OK, this weekend we are building a large run for our chickens... broadly we are running a fence round our orchard, which will have a ground level electric wire and one along the top of the fence.

 

We are also having a proper fenced coop area and inside that will be the shed.

 

Mainly we want egg layers and we have been working on the idea we'd get some rescue chickens.

 

But I also want Brown eggs, Blue eggs and white eggs.

 

What suggestions of breeds do you have.

 

Was going to get some Dorkings for meat... other suggestions?


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#2
tonydockers

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we have fresh start for hens rescue hens, hybrid warrens good sized eggs slightly less than 1 a day at 18 months old, pol are 1 a day...find them on facebook they have a rehome coming up

 

im not sure which give blue eggs but wraysbury poultry group on facebook will have answers and birds available

 

meat birds, cant bear a la bresse and they give gorgeous white eggs


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#3
Greenbeast

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We have blue, white, cream and brown of various shades, I can let you know who lays what later today
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#4
adrian007

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Greenbeats - it was your eggs that made me realise the importance of presentation, even of eggs!


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#5
tonydockers

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Greenbeats - it was your eggs that made me realise the importance of presentation, even of eggs!

My experience is the simpler the packaging/presentation the more accepted they are as being from the farm, we always ask people to come to the farm, meet the hens, see the hens and buy the eggs at £3 a dozen, they sell themselves and we are getting a regular 2 dozen a day going on repeat sales

 

anyone that comes to the farm is welcomed and we spend time showing them the pigs and alpacas telling them about all the things we are doing, going to sell etc, we know they will be our advocates in times of need and also our customers


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#6
billie

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With our electric fence we have 2 strands one 2inch and one 4 inches off the ground and the top one is set off the fence about 8 inches this works really well for foxes and rabbits.


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#7
tonydockers

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we have an electric poultry net, so far so good with keeping mr/s fox at bay....we know they are watching as we scared one off the other night

 

ive friends who have wire strands on fencing that have lost chooks but so have people with nets


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#8
Greenbeast

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Our coloured eggs, jams and their packaging are primarily to get our name and brand into people's homes. So we have an 'in' when we start selling pork (abattoir booked for first three in two weeks)
The one thing I don't like about them is that they are plastic. But they are PET, so can be recycled.
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#9
tonydockers

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Greenbeast
Looks amazing, well done.
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#10
tim'rous beastie

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Adrian, Araucanas will give you lovely blue eggs, and Marans will give gorgeous array of browns.
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#11
Greenbeast

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They're the ones, thanks beastie. It's my good lady that sorted out what to get
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#12
adrian007

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Fantabulous, thanks TB, they'll be on the shopping list right along with the rescues.

 

Yep - GB - need a way to try to get the e-mail addresses of said customers as well...


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#13
Greenbeast

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We also have White Rangers laying pure white eggs, massive ones at that, some we can't sell as they're so big (with double yolks) that we can't fit them in the boxes


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#14
Greenbeast

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Fantabulous, thanks TB, they'll be on the shopping list right along with the rescues.

 

Yep - GB - need a way to try to get the e-mail addresses of said customers as well...

 

 

yeah it is tricky, just make sure your packaging leads them to your website :)


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#15
adrian007

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White Rangers sound way cool!

 

:-)


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