Skip to contentKeepingChickens HealthyI have been giving Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) to my chickens for many years, and can undoubtedly say that combined with good husbandry, have seen a positive difference in the health of my flock. There are, however, many exaggerated claims (that have little evidence), and I don’t believe it’s a miracle cure. Still, as with many natural approaches, over time, it can help your hens to stay healthy and there is now even some research emerging from the commercial poultry sector supporting this.You have probably already heard about apple cider vinegar and its...…Skip to contentKeepingChickens HealthyI have been giving Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) to my chickens for many years, and can undoubtedly say that combined with good husbandry, have seen a positive difference in the health of my flock. There are, however, many exaggerated claims (that have little evidence), and I don’t believe it’s a miracle cure. Still, as with many natural approaches, over time, it can help your hens to stay healthy and there is now even some research emerging from the commercial poultry sector supporting this.You have probably already heard about apple cider vinegar and its...WW…

Skip to contentZoe Brodie-James investigates the ethics and law of releasing domestic ducks into the wild on the local pond and finds some sad and sometimes illegal scenarios that go on there.As a child I vividly remember visiting our local park and feeding the ducks and geese and swans. Thinking we were doing a good thing, never once did it occur to my mother or myself that some of those ducks and geese should not only not be there but should not be eating the bread we were feeding them.Now I am going to excuse my own behaviour as I was less than mentally competent being just a few years...…Skip to contentZoe Brodie-James investigates the ethics and law of releasing domestic ducks into the wild on the local pond and finds some sad and sometimes illegal scenarios that go on there.As a child I vividly remember visiting our local park and feeding the ducks and geese and swans. Thinking we were doing a good thing, never once did it occur to my mother or myself that some of those ducks and geese should not only not be there but should not be eating the bread we were feeding them.Now I am going to excuse my own behaviour as I was less than mentally competent being just a few years...WW…

Skip to contentThis article on how to care for wild baby ducks pertains to wild Mallard ducklings only. Domestic breeds of duck require different types of care.There is information on feeding domestic ducklings here.Mallard ducklings are more likely to be found in the first 24 hours after hatch as the mother may have to lead them a fair way to water resulting in a few getting left behind. During the first week, out of a clutch of 12, she is likely to lose most of them. Most mallard mums will end up with 2-4 ducklings surviving to adulthood.Although ducklings get straight onto the water...…Skip to contentThis article on how to care for wild baby ducks pertains to wild Mallard ducklings only. Domestic breeds of duck require different types of care.There is information on feeding domestic ducklings here.Mallard ducklings are more likely to be found in the first 24 hours after hatch as the mother may have to lead them a fair way to water resulting in a few getting left behind. During the first week, out of a clutch of 12, she is likely to lose most of them. Most mallard mums will end up with 2-4 ducklings surviving to adulthood.Although ducklings get straight onto the water...WW…

Skip to contentHere are contact details of poultry breeders in the UK and Ireland that have chickens/poultry for sale. Please note, I do not check entries for accuracy, or breeders for husbandry standards.If you are looking to buy chickens or other poultry, have a look at the map below to locate breeders with poultry for sale in your area, or underneath this in the listings which are organised by county.Be warned, not all breeds are easy to find. Rare breeds often take time to source and you will often need to go onto a waiting list before birds become available.If you are a breeder...…Skip to contentHere are contact details of poultry breeders in the UK and Ireland that have chickens/poultry for sale. Please note, I do not check entries for accuracy, or breeders for husbandry standards.If you are looking to buy chickens or other poultry, have a look at the map below to locate breeders with poultry for sale in your area, or underneath this in the listings which are organised by county.Be warned, not all breeds are easy to find. Rare breeds often take time to source and you will often need to go onto a waiting list before birds become available.If you are a breeder...WW…

Skip to contentThere are two species of quail that are commonly kept in the U.K. The Chinese painted quail is popular in aviaries and is the smaller of the two. Still, the Coturnix or Japanese quail (shown below on the right) is more popular for producing eggs or meat with smallholders and back garden poultry keepers.Quail can be very productive, laying around 230 eggs per year, so they are an ideal solution for people with small back gardens that are unsuitable for chickens. They are, however, more nervous than other poultry and do not like being handled, so care must be taken when...…Skip to contentThere are two species of quail that are commonly kept in the U.K. The Chinese painted quail is popular in aviaries and is the smaller of the two. Still, the Coturnix or Japanese quail (shown below on the right) is more popular for producing eggs or meat with smallholders and back garden poultry keepers.Quail can be very productive, laying around 230 eggs per year, so they are an ideal solution for people with small back gardens that are unsuitable for chickens. They are, however, more nervous than other poultry and do not like being handled, so care must be taken when...WW…