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Our small holding outside of Bandon in West Cork officially began in
the early spring of 2009. I built my first chicken hutch out of wooden
pallets and various other reclaimed materials. I bought 8 chickens
from Sophie in West Cork and promptly killed 4 on the way home from
over heating. Thus began my chicken husbandry learning curve. Gutted
but not to be deterred I replaced them with some more hens and quickly
fell head over heels in love with chickens. |
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Within a year I went from having 8 hens for to suddenly having a
rooster I never planned on having ( and then eaten by a dog within 4
weeks!) and eventually obtaining 17 hens, 3 roosters and a
spontaneously purchased incubator. After meeting my very first chick
hatched from a egg under my Silkie, my interest in breeding chickens
was cemented.
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Being passionate about sustainability, local food, organic/natural
living and small holdings, breeding and selling my stock was a natural
progression. I aim to keep things as natural/organic as possible and
strive to raise healthy quality stock. To this end I only raise/breed/
sell my own birds and that of trusted local breeders who offer the
same quality and care for their birds.
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| Their original purpose was for the mini ecology I was creating on my small holding - providing manure, food and insect/slug control. However, it was their personalities that swept me away and provided me and my daughter with hours of entertainment. |
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After my female duck was snatched by a fox and I rescued her last egg, hatched it and hand reared Rhubarb the orphan duckling, and now there is no turning back.
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My own 5 year old daughter is fully involved in raising chickens and
kids are welcome when coming to select birds. This summer we will be
moving to Skibbereen to take over Sophies property of Sophies Hens.
Once there and fully up and running there are plans to have goats,
rare breed pigs, geese, quail and the new breeds of chickens we will
be carrying. The goal will be to create a functioning small holding
that the family can enjoy as they select their birds while creating
links with the local community around sustainability & local produce.
Be assured if you're new to chicken keeping, you're welcome to make an
appointment, come out and get a crash course.
If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to get in
touch!
~Savannah
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