Keep it Simple!

Grant Brereton says it's the beginning of an exciting journey but make the first steps easy

- Grant Brereton

When you first begin your journey with chickens, it is so exciting. The idea of fresh eggs laid by any number of chicken varieties captivates many of us. Some people don't think too much about plumage or pure breeds - they just want their own eggs, and to embark on a new and engaging journey. The coop and the feeders and drinkers are bought, an area of ground is allocated and soon after that the occupants are sought.

It all sounds quite easy, but the first stumbling block can be in buying the chickens we really desire. Often, they aren't as available as we think, and it can be quite disappointing learning that the hens we really want will be available 'in a few months.' This is particularly the case with pure breeds, where it's difficult to get your hands on a few pullets; not only because they aren't easy to produce in numbers, but anyone doing so is likely a keen devotee of said pure breed and probably isn't in it just to sell, sell, sell. Then there's the subject of cockerels. With pure breeds, most people who let occasional stock go prefer to do so as breeding pairs or trios, meaning they shift a male or two in the process.

It's not as cynical as it sounds - and that nobody wants cockerels and everyone wants pullets - but the latter are far more desirable for obvious reasons. Some people do want cockerels, and the breeder often welcomes enthusiastic keepers of their particular variety. Quite simply, it spreads their strain around and serves as potential back up if the breeder has a disaster.

Considering their undeniable beauty, it really is perplexing why more people don't keep pure breeds. They often lay much better than their reputations suggest, which unfortunately isn't helped by misinformed poultry keepers who've never actually kept the breeds in question.

YOUR FIRST FLOCK