Farmer Gows

Our free range chickens are hand reared from day olds.  Visitors may handle our youngest birds in the farm shop - under adult supervision - during a visit to the farm.

Free range eggs (straight from our chicken houses) are available daily in the farm shop.  Being so fresh our eggs will comfortably last 6 weeks, although we can only tell you they are good for 28 days.

Point of Lay (POL) Chickens

• Hand reared therefore easy to handle
• Available throughout the year 
• Excellent layers - our chickens lay throughout the year - even in the autumn and winter months
• Cost - £14 each

Breeds ~ Goldline, Isawarren, Shaver Black, Shaver Brown, Speckledy, Bovan Brown, Rhode Rock, Pied Ranger

Domestic Poultry Keeping ~ Produced by MJ Hodgkins

Providing a few simple requirements are adhered to, the beginner should nave no trouble in obtaining 75-80% production for many months.

Environment

It is undoubtedly better to give poultry as much room as possible.  If the house or run space, or both, is too confined this can quickly lead to boredom, bullying, feather pecking, egg eating etc. 

For 6 birds, we suggest a minimum house size of 4’ x 4’ (1.21m x 1.21m) plus an outside run of approximately 50 ft2 (4.65 m2).  This run will invariably become muddy and, if a permanency, should be covered with gravel or regularly strawed.  If the house is of sufficient size the birds can remain in during very wet weather.

The floor of the house should be well littered with wood shavings, straw or some friable material to make for easy cleaning.  Hay should not be used except to line next boxes.  A perch should be provided 18”-2’ (46-60 cm) above the floor, allowing about 9” (23cm) width per bird.

Nest boxes approximately 10-12” (25-30 cm) square and raised above floor level should be provided in the ratio of one to every 3/4 birds.  These should be situated in the darkest part of the house where there is no direct sunlight.

Food

The most essential point here is not to waste food which means using the correct sort of feeder, preferably a hanging tube type, not an open trough.  For maximum production birds should be fed ad lib on layers mash or pellets 100-130 gms (3.5-4.5 oz) per bird per day.  If any corn is fed, not more that 14 gms (½ oz) per bird per day.  All feeding should be done inside the house.

Water & Grit

As an egg is made up of about 65% water it is most essential that the birds have fresh water in front of them at all times.

Birds also need access regularly to mixed grit, sharp flint for digestion and oyster shell for extra calcium.

A Few Points to Remember

1. Never underestimate the fox.  Without any doubt this is most likely to be your biggest problem.
2. If you have a sudden drop in egg production in spring or summer house infestation with red mite is the most probable reason.  This can be easily remedied with a spray or powder.
3. Unexplained deaths of birds in good condition is more likely to be vent pecking than any other cause.  This can be difficult to spot without a very close examination and is usually caused by stress factor i.e. mud, shortage or food or water, or light intensity wrong inside the house.
4. Poultry must not have access to lettuce, rhubarb, daffodils, laburnum, yew or green potatoes.