Kitchen Garden Forum

The hatching season is still a few weeks away, but son and grandson went off to Llanrwst yesterday as they had located someone selling newly laying pullets. They came back with four beautiful Wheaten Marans and four Rhode Island Red hens.

They look really lovely - bright and healthy. A good buy. My two favourite breeds.

Rhode Island Red makes me think of "Chicken Run"

Nice looking creatures. Am sure they'll soon settle down in their new environment. Its great that your son and grandson are so keen to expand your flock. Means that you'll always have something potentially new to look forward to.

They are some beauties, Alan....what sort of money do they ask for a point of lay, these days? I suppose it depends a lot on the breed, though....

oldherbaceous wrote:They are some beauties, Alan....what sort of money do they ask for a point of lay, these days? I suppose it depends a lot on the breed, though....

These beauties, being pure breed and already laying, were £25 each, though point of lay hybrids are usually £12.50 to £15.

But all these creatures dod bring a profitable return as well as being attractive to look at, in terms of eggs laid and potential manure provision. A lot more productive than your average cat or dog !

Primrose wrote:Nice looking creatures. Am sure they'll soon settle down in their new environment. Its great that your son and grandson are so keen to expand your flock. Means that you'll always have something potentially new to look forward to.

They have already settled in with each other, Primrose, and we've had Rhode Island Red eggs for breakfast yesterday and this morning.

As for new things to look forward to, planned for the coming months are hatchings of Embden goslings, Light Sussex chickens, both from eggs we will buy in from reliable local breeders, Rhode Island Reds from our own eggs and possibly/probably more Welsh Harlequin ducks, Cream Legbar, Welsummer and Marsbar chickens also from our own birds. Looks like it will be quite a summer!

Oh yes, and I should have time to get the polytunnel up and running as usual

Primrose wrote:But all these creatures dod bring a profitable return as well as being attractive to look at, in terms of eggs laid and potential manure provision. A lot more productive than your average cat or dog !

Very true, Primrose. Not forgetting the cockerels for the pot
Son sold spare birds last year and this year it looks as though he will sell a lot more as well as hatching eggs. He has made more local contacts than I ever thought possible.

It's all work every day of the year, but fortunately we have no desire to go away on holidays given the place we are lucky enough to live

Primrose wrote:But all these creatures dod bring a profitable return as well as being attractive to look at, in terms of eggs laid and potential manure provision. A lot more productive than your average cat or dog !

And you don't have to take them for a walk.