Where are all the hens?

TopTec

I have long been pestered by my children and grandchildren to get some hens or goats, but I am not keen on the goats. I am lucky to have a couple of acres around the cottage which would suit a few hens but I have been putting off getting them whilst I refurbish the old place. However, that refurb is coming to a close within the next couple of months so the subject of chickens raised its head again recently.

Inspired by AngelDaisys recent thread I have been preparing the ground, so to speak, for getting some hens in before christmas. I am planning on naming the hens after my 3 grandchildren and letting them choose one each. They are very excited. I also think it will be very educational for them.

So, new coop selected, assembled and painted, feeder and water holder bought and ready. Bummed a few bags of straw from a local farmer and have chopped up enough to last a few months. Pellets bought and stored in metal container so now on to the easy bit. Buying hens.

Easy bit.... Ha! Not one to be had anywhere. I live in rural Mayo... one would think this bit would be easy. Ballina Market?.. Nope, hen man gone for the season. Local Farmers? Nope, only one of 5 around me keeps hens and he has very few. Surely rescued battery hens? Nope. Last post on Google was a couple of years ago. Facebook? Nope. Poultry breeders in Mayo on the Irish fowl website? Nope. 4 emailed and called... nothing this time of year.

Short of cold calling every house or farm that has any evidence of poultry keeping I am at a loss. Are my grandchildren destined for disappointment? Would welcome any suggestions.

TT

cocker5

PM Sent!

Kovu

When you say Ballina Market, do you mean the mart?

Have you tried Donedeal? You may have to travel a bit but there's loads there, or try a few rescue centres around you to see if they know of any recovered battery hens that need homes. These still lay but once they are over 2 (I think) they are removed as they lay slightly less than younger hens.
I see a few around Connacht on Done Deal actually, one in Galway and one in Sligo there may suit.

angeldaisy

Pm sent

selectamatic

Carrick on Shannon or Westport on Saturday nights are good spots to find them :P

aonb

The reason why they may be hard to come by is because all the point of lay pullets are probably bred and sold!

No matter where you buy them from, if you dont know your hens, make sure that they are old enough to be able to tell if they are hens or cockerals! Hopefully the person you are going to buy them from is a knowlegable/reputable breeder, and you will get decent stock. Be sure that their eyes and nares and vents are clean. Their eyes should be bright and clear. Their combs and wattles - not too 'grown'! - should be a decent red colour - not pale or purple. Their legs clear and smooth and yellowish.

Good luck and welcome to the addictive world of hen-keeping!

TopTec

Kovu wrote: »

When you say Ballina Market, do you mean the mart?

Have you tried Donedeal?

Kovu. Yes, sorry meant the Mart.

I was keeping an eye on Donedeal but there were only 2 adverts when I checked last week. Few more new ones over the past few days, I should of checked. Always a bit reluctant about Donedeal as I have been burned before with tools and materials, travelling long distances to find they don't match the descriptions. Also buyng livestock from there goes against the grain. Anyway, I have made an enquiry with one advertiser and am going to see some birds tomorrow so crossed fingers.

Thanks for the PM's too, looks like I just missed the latest batch of rescues. Thanks Aonb for the advice also, I have been reading up on red mites.

selectamatic wrote: »

Carrick on Shannon or Westport on Saturday nights are good spots to find them

And looking at the state of some of them they belong in cages too!

Thanks all

TT

Valentina

There is a rescue based in Kildare who currently have dozens of hens looking for new homes. They have drop off points around the country.

If you're interested PM me and I'll send you their details.

TopTec

Thanks Valentina. I have details of that centre.

TT

TopTec

Just an update to the thread.

Using Aonb's excellent advice, I selected and collected 3 RIR hens from a larger and free range flock this afternoon. Into their new coop box for an hour and then allowed out into their small run until dusk.

They are eating well and have already met my two girls, Callie and Holly, and were not fazed at all by them. I am trying to reinforce a non-barking rule, and so far so good.

The only issue so far is that they are clearly establishing a pecking order and the lowliest one is getting pecked around the head and body by the other two.

I will monitor them tomorrow.

Thanks for y'all help.

TT

dogluver

Contact <snip>. The have rescued lots of ex-battery hens over the last year or so. They are based in Kildare so distance maybe a problem but I am sure they would have some hens available.

Mod note, please make any recommendations for rescue groups by pm only, as per the charter.