After having moved interstate recently, and into the suburbs, I found myself without chickens for the first time in 40 years.
Unable to keep a rooster here I've begun to look for land, but that's another story.
My neighbour, Cameron, suggested rescue hens as he has some and the family decided to go down that path.
I contacted 'Til the Cows Come Home' and began the adoption process.
Many questions later, photos of the yard, pen and a character reference, I picked up eight Hy-line hens that had been rescued legally from a farm.
This process also involved a reasonable fee for the birds and they get cheaper the more you get.
When I picked up the birds they were in good condition and arrived home happy and healthy.
I was a bit hesitant about commercial birds as I'd heard some bad stories about their characters, but over the weeks they've evolved clear personalities like purebred poultry and have become well-loved members of our home.
Even my Border Collie has left them alone - finally.
The hens have settled into a routine and established a clear pecking order without any problems.
I can recommend them from this point of view.
Now the important question that all you readers are asking.
Yes, they have laid eggs and at a steady stream, despite being at the end of their commercial laying lives.
I treat them no differently to a purebred and they have responded well to grass and grain along with pellets.
The eggs are a good size and they are beginning to get the yellow yolks and the stronger albumen of a proper farm bird.
On the negative, they are not as good looking as a purebred bird and certainly don't light up the yard with colour and style, but you can balance this with knowing you've done some good.
If you have a yard and just want a few eggs consistently, these may be the birds for you.
The adoption process is reasonably stringent but they do take their work seriously which is reassuring.
If any reader out there has had some for a while drop us a line and let me know how they've gone for you.
As a final note I've been to one show at Rosewood in Queensland at this point and the quality of the birds put up was a credit to the owners and the Ipswich P.C.
More next month as we navigate the lockdowns.
- Bruce Pattinson is a past president of the NSW Exhibition Poultry Association. Email questions to smartfarmer@theland.com.au or post to: Chook Feed, PO Box 25, Kogarah, 2217, with your name and daytime contact number.