Hello

[Henny Penny]

I'm new to this forum so thought I'd just introduce myself.
I live in Derbyshire and up until recently had 2 lovely chooks Poppy and Hazel.
A neighbours terriers tunnelled their way into my garden and killed them both.
I cried for 4 days  :'(
I am now looking to buy 3 more hens and would appreciate any advice on when is best to buy them and if there is anyone local selling them.
I have had to buy eggs and they are no where near as good as the eggs I used to get. The forum is great by the way.

[Henny Penny]

[Blue Bird]

Welcome Henny Penny - I am sure you will get all the advise you need Have no live stock myself not enough room

Sorry for your 2 chooks demise  :(

[Marymary]

Welcome from me too.  The chicken under my name is called Sally, short for Sally Henny Penny, she was our first chicken - we hatched her from an egg at school. 

I'm really sorry to hear about losing your chickens - I would have wanted to do the same to the dog or rather the neighbour. 

I think now is quite a good time to get new chooks, if you can find POL's they will come into lay quite quickly with the longer days.  There has been a lot of discussion here recently about types of chickens & all seem to agree that if you want eggs get hybrids.  I have 3 and they lay virtually every day [also 6 bantams who are  a waste of space in the egg department but we love them to pieces.]

[kt.]

Try here:

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,91/topic,27796.0

[growmore]

HI HP, I get most of my fowl from here.  If your in the chesterfield area etc it shouldn't be too far for you to travel ...Give them a bell first to make sure they have what you want ..

http://www.storrspoultry.co.uk/fowlproducts.php 

Cheers Jim ...

[agapanthus]

What about ex-battery hens?
They are good layers and you could
give them a lot better life than they
were used to. :)
http://www.thehenshouse.co.uk/

[Henny Penny]

Thanks for your replies.
I have thought about adopting some ex battery hens but would struggle to go to Lancashire (the  nearest to me).
My other hens were hybrids and laid every day. The only time one missed a day, she laid a double yoker the next day!

[emmy1978]

Oh henny penny, how awful. Did you string dog up by knackers? Hope now you're done crying you find some lovely new chicken lickens!

[Henny Penny]

There were 4 terriers that had my chooks. I was absolutely distraught.
To be honest, although I have had a friend to put up some more posts and dug chicken wire (and other deterrents) under the ground, I am a bit paranoid about getting some more chooks in case theses blooming dogs will come back.
They are in his garden all day as he works and he takes them hunting at weekends.

[Marymary]

Sounds a nice chap!  if they are in the garden all day then perhaps the RSPCA might be interested.

[northener]

Hello Henny. Its rubbish when things like this happen. I'm over in Barnsley local egg farmer sells pol[18 week] rhode island hybrids for £4. Had ours for 3 years and still laying. Plus they're lovely.

[teresa]

Oh I am so sorry that is awfull, he is responsible for his dogs actions did you tell him what happened.
Dogs in the garden is fine but should they should be in a large run, sounds like they are working terriers, but should still be contained and not free to tresspass.
Is the fence his or yours, if it is his he is responsible for it ( plus dogs)
Besides digging a trench along the fence and putting chicken wire down 18-24 inches attached to fence.
You could tell him you will put a electric cable under the fence ( like they do for foxes) may frighten him?
Did you inform the police or RSPCA
I do hope you get some hens dont know what I would do without mine.

[Henny Penny]

Hi teresa.
He's a bit of an adult hoodie so I was reluctant to be too assertive with him.
The fence belonged to someone in the middle of us. It has been fixed as it was flattened in the storms.
Thanks for your help everyone in finding chooks. I will keep you all up to date and I'm actively looking now so keep your fingers crossed.