buying chickens

[passionflowa]

duz anyone know where i can buy a chicken/hen to keep as a pet from around east yorkshire? a piglet would be good too! thanx x

[logman]

Sorry i'am not familliar with your location but cattle markets are the best places to buy livestock. I bought some hens once and they kept me supplied in fresh eggs for many years.

Please dont cut corners when building pens/runs, if leave a weak spot, Mr Fox will find it!

Good luck..

[stanleyman]

Don't forget that piglets grow into hulking great brutes and need a lot of feeding, space, a wallow etc. etc. so I can't imagine you would be sitting on the sofa with it as a pet when it gets older!

[bigdog]

you could try selby market. its on most bank holidays and there is usually a livestock auction. Always chickens there.

[nickmo]

Get copy of 'Smallholder' or one of 'Country Smallholding' magazine and they have comprehensive lists of suppliers for all livestocks aimed at individuals, not to large breeders.

Also available online - google either for webaddress.

Also checkhttp://www.omlet.co.uk for hen house and supplies designed for city gardens - dead good chicken ark in funky design and easy to keep clean.

You can also get ex-battery hens to keep as pets - see http://www.animalrescuers.co.uk/html/farm.html or check web for details if you don't want to keep specific breeds, and do a good turn for a happy chicken. Will still lay eggs for a while, and you get to enjoy their company too.