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Chickens don't live very long lives?

Scots Dumpy Cockerel

We have kept poultry, originally mainly bantams for 18 years. Our first hens were brown leghorns. We purchased 4 of them at point of lay. They all lived long lives. The first died at 9 years old, the second at 10 years old the third at 12 years old and the last remaining lovely old lady died at 14 yeas old (is this a record)?

So disproving the myth that chickens don't have very long lives.

If they are cared for and have plenty or freedom and a good diet, together with a comfortable house they could all become pensioners! (Illnesses aside)

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Cottage Chicken House with Run

Poultry Housing

After we 'd had the Leghorns a couple of years, we obtained, Rosecombs, Pekins, Silkies and Mille Fleur Barbu d'Uccles. None of these lived for anywhere near as long as the Leghorns however.

We moved further into the country 13 years ago and gradually expanded and we now keep Leghorns (still), as they are great little birds and very regular egg layers.

We also keep many unusual and some listed rare breeds.

These include Red Saddled Yokohama and Gold Duck Wing Yokohama, many different varieties of Polish bantams, Belgian Watermael, gorgeous Sultans, Japanese, Dutch, White and Black Sumatra, Salmon Faverolles, Ixworth and Houdan. The last three are listed as a rare breed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

Housing Poultry

Our poultry housing has manifested itself in many shapes and sizes over the years. Poultry Arks are OK and 'do the job' if you have only a small number of birds. Most standard sized Arks are suitable for only 3 or 4 bantams and 2 large chickens. Although many of the manufacturers will state they are suitable for much higher numbers.

Larger numbers can be kept in these Arks but they will be more cramped and uncomfortable, and their comfort should be a high priority, they do need space.

So we are please to be able to offer for sale the following high quality, practical, affordable housing - available in our

On-line shop.

Poultry Diet

Poultry should be fed a good diet in the form of layers mash or pellets, together with mixed corn. If you obtain hatching eggs or hatch your own eggs from your breeding stock, chicks start feeding within 24 hour of hatching. They should be offered chick crumbs and water for the first few weeks.

Then as they grow they should be offered growers pellets.

Adult poultry should be fed a good diet in the form of layers mash or pellets, together with mixed corn. Pellets are much less messy and you will have less waste.

Plus kitchen scraps including bread, crumpets, sweetcorn, (most veg in fact). Plus they should have access to GREEN GRASS, not kept on concrete or mud!

They will forage the grass and soil for insects and worms, slugs etc. This variety in their diet helps keep them healthy and free from disease.

Most complaints or illnesses that poultry tend to have CAN be treated. It is so not necessary to cull, ring or snap necks just because one is looking a little 'under the weather'..