Best place to get supplies for new arrivals

[sunnysideup]

Hi everyone,

After a couple of false starts, this next week should see the arrival of a few hens into our household, which we are rehoming. Over the past few months, I've done a lot (probably too much) of reading up on the do's and don'ts for looking after them here and on various other forums. We now have our coop and a run ready and waiting, but still need bedding and other bits before the girls arrive.

If you aren't lucky enough to have a farm shop or equine supplier near by, which online store or supplier would you advise ordering from in terms of best value or best products?

Currently, I'm looking at Omlet. I don't know if they might be a little more expensive but in terms of doing a big order of bedding (leaning towards Auboise), straw, powders, poultry shield etc to get us started, it may be the best place until we find our way with everything.

Any advice welcome!

Thanks

 

[rick]

Hi,
Don't know if you've got food sorted but BHWT have the 'Smallholder' layers pellets and crumble which is reasonably priced (with postage) and gives them a bit of profit for the cause.

 

[dinosaw]

I have used this site for my worming pellets before with no problems, they seem to sell pretty much everything poultry related, http://www.farmandpetplace.co.uk/products/poultry/feeders/page-1.html

Also this is my local feed merchant who deal online, they are fine face to face but can't vouch for their online service
http://www.widmer.co.uk/poultry-bird/chicken

 

[sunnysideup]

Hi rick,

We have enough food to get us by for a a couple of weeks from the current owner but I'll definitely give BHWT a look. Thanks!

 

[sunnysideup]

Thanks dinosaw that's a great help.

 

[Marigold]

Are you sure there are no Aubiose stockists within collecting distance from you? This is the list of stockists, if you can find one nearby it will save on the silly prices charged for delivery by most chicken firms. I get mine free delivery for more than 9 items from a local farm shop, and the 'items' don't have to all be Aubiose, so worth researching. I stack the spare bales round the edge of the walk-in run, for extra shelter and as the girls perch on them, it doesn't make the run space any smaller. See http://www.aubiose.co.uk/stockists.php
I get Dodson and Horrell pellets from Pets at Home online. Free delivery over £29, I.e. 2 bags of pellets at £12.50 plus one of corn or a new toy for the dog, or 3 bags of feed.
See http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/bird-and-wildlife/chicken/chicken-food-and-treats/layer-pellets-for-chickens-20kg
I see that straw is on your shopping list and wondered what that was for? If for use in the nestboxes, I would advise Aubiose if you're getting that anyway. So much easier to poo pick and keep clean, if some naughty girl has been sleeping in there!

 

[sunnysideup]

Yes Marigold, the straw was for the nest boxes. I had just assumed that straw would be the thing to use in them. I've double checked the Aubiose link, nearest stockist is either Cumbria (2hrs drive according to google maps) or Weatherby (1hr and a half). We are in Tyne and Wear.

We have a couple of places near by that do the odd thing. The wilkinson stores nearest to us do sell feed and various treats but falls short on other things. A local garden centre sells food, Apple cider vinegar and poultry shield but, they are very expensive. It's actually cheaper to pay the delivery to the online firms.

 

[dinosaw]

There is/was a feed supplier in Swalwell near the Metro Centre called Knox Wilkin, look them up in the phone book as they don't have a website, also there is Durham Hens which is near Bishop Auckland which is a bit more of a drive.

 

[valeriebutterley]

The farm and pet place link seem to do almost everything at good prices.
I ordered 20 kilos of Marriages with Flubenvet yesterday for worming. Delivery was very cheap at £3.95 for up to 28K.
Certainly cheaper than the petrol for driving to pick it up, when you have located it.

 

[sunnysideup]

Will keep a note of those places incase I'm out and about in future, thanks dinosaw. Though both are still about the same distance from me, about 45 mins drive. The metrocentre/swalwell area would usually be easier, but there are roadworks and diversions as they are widening the carriage ways on the A1 there. I think its an area most people avoid if possible at the moment as the traffic is a nightmare.

As you say val, i don't think £3.95 is bad considering the kg they are delivering and taking into account the petrol costs you would incur travelling to and from somewhere 'local'.

 

[dinosaw]

20 years since I moved away Sunnyside and even then the A1 round there was a total mare. Farm and pet have always been good when I have used them and you do wonder how the couriers can make money at £3.95, I sometimes forget how very lucky I am to live so close to a big feed supplier.