Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question about keeping poultry? Check out our FAQs and Glossary for more help and information…
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Check out our Poultry FAQs for more help and guidance
Are there any restrictions to keeping chickens?
You should check your property title deeds, tenancy agreement and/or local by-laws for clauses relating to keeping poultry.
Can I keep any breed of chicken?
The breed that is right for you will depend on a number of factors including your poultry-keeping experience, how much space you have, what sort of egg production you are looking for. Our Poultry Team will be happy to advise you on the right birds for you and your situation.
Do your birds come with a guarantee?
All hybrid hens purchased from us come with a 28-day guarantee. You will receive a slip with your purchase explaining everything that is covered. All our contact details will be on there too, so you know how to get a hold of us if you need any advice or assistance. You can see our Poultry Guarantee here.
Are your birds fully vaccinated?
Prior to being delivered, all our hybrid hens are fully vaccinated against all major poultry diseases and variant strains.
How do I clip my birds’ wings?
We will always offer to clip your birds’ wings for you when you purchase, but should you want to do them yourself, please refer to our care sheet for instructions.
How old are your birds when they arrive?
Our hybrid hens arrive in stock for sale at 16 weeks old.
What do you feed your birds?
We feed our birds layers pellets. We tend to use Heygates as this product uses quality ingredients to provide the most beneficial nutrients required to help your hens lay the best quality eggs. The time each bag lasts will depend on the size of birds in your flock. Feel free to give your birds a treat in the shape of mixed corn but do not do so in large amounts as your birds will consume less pellets and the quality of eggs produced will suffer.
Please see our care sheet on feeding for more information
Chicken Glossary
BANTAM – Small size chickens and cockerels.
BROODY – Term used for a chicken sitting on the nest in the hope of hatching some eggs.
COCKEREL – Male bird.
COMB – The pink/red fleshy part on the top of the hen or cockerel’s head. Larger on cockerels than hens.
CROP – A ‘pouch’ where the food is stored at the base of the neck. When full of food in the evening it can be clearly felt.
FERTILE EGGS – Eggs from chickens that have been with a cockerel. You can still eat these.
HYBRIDS – Chickens of mixed parents and grandparents, selected for their egg productivity.
MOULT – When the feathers are shed and re-grown. Usually occurs annually in the Autumn.
POINT OF LAY – The point at which hens start to lay eggs.
PULLETS – Female chickens under 1 year old.
PURE BREEDS – ‘Pedigree’ chickens (the chicks will resemble the parents).
WATTLES – The red fleshy parts hanging below the chicken’s chin/beak -much larger on cockerels than hens.
If you need any help or advice on your poultry journey contact our team today!
See why our customers love the Poultry Centre
Very helpful staff full of knowledge. Great range of healthy birds. Recommended
Harvey Paterson
17:57 23 Apr 23
Could spend a lot of time browsing around. Friendly poultry keeper.
Antony Carter
14:37 18 Mar 23
Fab.
Joe Mcnab
17:11 05 Mar 23
Got 2 lovely chicken's from here. Settled in well. Ben from the Poultry Centre was very helpful
Cheryl Windass
16:58 03 Aug 22
Animals seem well looked after, a lovely lady spent the time talking to me and answering my questions about the ducks.Sadly I didn't get her name but 10 out of 10 for customer service.Will be back to purchase some ducks once my garden is finished.
Jason H
15:47 30 Apr 22
Go brighten up your green space
Neil underwood
16:43 27 Apr 22
Love this placeHas all your Chicken and Poultry needsGood selection of quality birdsAlways get our food for our Chickens and Quails from herePrices are reasonable
Paul Johnson
13:46 13 Feb 22
Eggcellent range of hens. They have some older birds going cheap at the back so you don't have to shell out as much.
owen reed
14:40 01 Feb 22
The best place for all your poultry needs and seriously nice people too!
Jamie Trembath
09:19 27 Nov 21
James was so helpful and knowledgeable. Picked four Pekin Bantams… couldn’t be happier
Miranda Smythe
09:32 17 Oct 21
They're always happy to help and offer advice or guidance. Usually have a good range of stock alongside all the start-up equipment needed to help you on your poultry journey...
Emma Neville
08:33 29 Aug 21
Great selection of goods and staff are friendly
Jonathan Deether
12:30 27 May 21
The whole place has been remodelled. Its very user friendly now. Very spacious to be able yo socially distance. A large variety of birds and stock for them. Great garden centre.
Rachy Watts
10:28 17 May 21
The team at the poultry centre are fantastic, the birds are kept in excellent conditions and well cared for by the staff.They are very informative when you need help or advice, 5* service. Beautiful garden centre too
Furry and Feathers
13:57 20 Apr 21
As usual fantastic customer service and animal care thankyou for my new girls laying already
Jenny Kirkwood
12:52 16 Mar 21
Friendly and great for advice if needed!
Aimee Armstrong
11:58 08 Sep 20
Good place for poultry shopping
Niaz Chowdhury
18:15 17 Feb 20
Fantastic knowledgeable assistance, nothing seems to be too much trouble very friendly, the hens we bought seems to be very healthy and happy hens.
Steve Dransfield
16:27 03 Oct 19
loved it
Christine Garland
15:08 29 Sep 19
Excellent place to visit if you keep poultry, range of food and birds is very good
Stuart Coull
08:50 15 Sep 19
Good place for buying poultry
Owen de'ath
18:44 13 Sep 19
Lots of lovely chickens and ducks to choose from. They also have quail and Guinea fowl. Very helpful and knowledgeable staff throughout.
Mandy Taylor
19:38 05 Jul 19
Very knowledgeable and friendly. Happy to offer advise and help.
Gavin Damon
23:21 15 Jan 19
Knowegable staff and a huge selection to choose from!
Lisa Damon
08:37 23 Dec 18
We had great fun choosing our new hens, really helpful team and great advice, thanks to John and Maisie! 🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔
Sharon Law
09:33 24 Nov 18
Wonderful garden and poultry centre. We recently went here to buy two ducks and two chickens. The staff member we spoke to was incredibly knowledgeable and seemed very passionate about his job. It was a great experience and will be going back again soon to say "hi" and buy some more poultry feed. The cafe is lovely and we enjoy eating there, though the wait time can be a little uncomfortable for the kids if you go at a busy period.
Lynne “Pixie” Davies
19:26 05 Oct 18
Good for chicken keeping
Duncan Harrison
10:57 21 Sep 18
Amazing place
richard elsworth
08:59 11 Sep 18
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WHERE TO FIND US
Watling Street
Towcester
Northants
NN12 6GX
United Kingdom
HOW TO CALL US
01327 354 126
VISIT US DURING THESE HOURS
Mon-Sat: 10am to 5:30pm
Sunday: 10:30am to 4:30pm