Location - Northamptonshire, Midlands, England
In The Beginning
Let me introduce myself. My name is Stuart Jones and I am based on a smallholding just outside Kettering in Northamptonshire. My passion for chickens was discovered three years ago when I was trying to decide on a use for an area of land. Up to this point I had always kept a few Light Sussex chickens for egg production and to amuse the children, but never gave much thought to extending these numbers or breeds. It was my partner who gave me an egg incubator for a birthday present which opened up the flood gates for what was to follow.
From this point forward I was hooked. With the dicovery of eggs on Ebay, traveling the country to rare breed shows, and visiting breeders I have met along the way, the possibilities became endless.
LIGHT SUSSEX
Starting with what I already knew and had an endless supply of, I started to incubate these eggs, raising what was to be my first breeding flock of birds. As these birds arrived at point of lay we went along to a breeder of light sussex and brought a good looking cokerel (Mr Cocks) and away we went.
BANTAM KO SHAMO
Next came Ko Shamo Bantams (white & Partridge), which I have drawn a lot of enjoyment from watching and raising. Also for the record, for any bad press Shamo birds have recieved, they are a easily tameable if handled from a young age.
WHITE LEGHORNS
I was kindly given 2 white leghorn pullets from a farmers wife who loved to hatch and raise chicks, however she was running out of space. So again the search began for a well bred cokerel to complete my trio. After a short search the family was complete
Derbyshire Redcaps
After followed the majestic Derbyshire Redcaps which I first saw at a rare breed show at Melton Mowbray in early spring. After talking to the gentleman for about an hour I agreed to pick up some eggs from him and started to incubate (At the same time he took 4 rare breed saddleback piglets off me, but that is a different story.). I struggled for a while to find a cokerel from a diffrent blood line, but finally managed to locate one through one of the poultry forums, which I have always found very useful as most chicken keepers are happy to pass on knowledge and tips if you ask.
LAVENDER PEKINS
By now I was completly hooked building more and more pens to accomodate my fast growing hobby. I purchased some lavender pekin eggs from Ebay and into the incubator they went. After 21 days my new additions hatched and to my suprise this was the first and only clutch of eggs I have hatched with all female birds as an outcome.
Sponcered Links:
The Free Range Meat Company
The Wholesome Food Association
Pig Roast Meat Company
My E bay Shop
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