Longdown Poultry and Pets

05/09/2026

We have some coloured hybrids at point of lay available:

Light Sussex the ladies that like to rule the roost and full of character.

Rhode Rocks can be a little timid initially, their green fluorescent feathers over their backs make them stand out from the others in the flock.

Bluebells are Farmer Bryan’s favourites, their soft grey feathers and elegant stance, normally very independent birds.

Speckled Ladies this particular batch have a variety of coloured feathers ideal if you are looking for something different.

All these girls should come into lay during the next few weeks.

Please email to arrange a booking [email protected]

Hope to see you soon
Farmer Bryan

Longdown Activity Farm. A great family day out in the New Forest, Hampshire. Birthday parties, gift shop, small animals, tractor rides, play areas and more!

21/08/2026

We have an excellent batch of Warrens available, these girls are just coming into lay, super friendly and very inquisitive ideal for novice keepers or anyone looking for a regular supply of good sized tasty eggs.
Please contact us for any further information or if you wish to view them.
We stock everything required for poultry keeping, housing, feeders, drinkers, feed,lotions, potions and bedding.

Chickens in your Garden book free of charge with any chicken purchase for the first time keeper.

Email [email protected] to arrange an appointment or call in at Longdown Activity Farm
Ashurst
SO40 7 EH

Local delivery can be arranged.

14/08/2026

Broody chickens

It’s not common for hybrid chickens to go broody however this year there seems to be a lot of girls refusing to leave their nest, this I believe is a combination of laziness and the heat, a true broody will probably pluck some feathers from her chest to enable her to feel the eggs closer to her, another indication will be her becoming very aggressive when you put your hand towards her.
I am surprised how many people contact me to ask if the eggs are going to hatch even when they do not have a c**k bird in their flock, so if the girls have not been fertilised then there will not be any chicks of course there will always be a few exceptions.

Breaking a stubborn bird can be challenging to say the least, sometimes lifting them off the eggs and shutting them outside the coop during the day for a few days will work, but if you have a girl who is persistent she will play hard to get and test your patience, she will rush back onto the nest swearing at you as she fluffs up her feathers, the next deterrent will be to make her cosy nest as uncomfortable as possible, removing any soft bedding such as straw or shaving and making it as light as possible they really do not like it light when they are sitting on their eggs, if this fails then they deserve some tough treatment, wrapping an ice block in a teatowel and placing it underneath her under the cover of darkness will normally persuade her to abandon her post.
Which ever method you try please ensure that food and water is available to her during daylight hours with water next to her to prevent her becoming dehydrated.
On a negative note very often a stubborn broody can sit on an invisible clutch of eggs for sixty days or more.
Good luck
Farmer Bryan

08/08/2026

Ducks as pets and egg production:

Ducks really do make great pets and they are very easy to look after, most people seem to think that they require a large pond or stream, yes in the ideal world that would be perfect however as long as they have enough water to clean their heads and vent they will be happy.
A strong house to keep them safe from any predators, they will not need a nest box as they will drop their eggs wherever they are at four in the morning, a small layer of straw on the floor of the house will make cleaning a lot easier.
If you are a keen gardener then the ducks will happily clear all the slugs and other crawlies that dare show their heads during the day.
The average Cherry Valley will produce 230-240 eggs a year if they are looked after well.
The eggs have a distinctive taste and probably more nutritious than the chicken egg, if you are into baking then these are the best ones to use.
Obviously there are a few negatives about keeping ducks the main one is that they are the muckiest creatures on earth and will soon turn a manicured garden into a mud bath, therefore it’s advisable to keep them contained in a smaller area then let them out whilst you can watch them and unlike chickens they do not normally like to be picked up and cuddled.

If you are considering keeping ducks for pets and egg production please come along and have a chat or send a message to us before making a decision.
Hope to see you soon
Farmer Bryan

01/08/2026

Oliver has been really busy getting the Chicken Shack tidy, he really does take his volunteering job seriously.

24/07/2026

Red Mite and Lice:

There’s no way of getting away from it if you have chickens then there is a real risk of them being invaded by Red Mite or Lice especially during the next few months, they are probably waiting in the crevices of the coop and neighbouring woodwork.

What does it mean to the chickens if they get infested with the little blighters, well if you imagine going to bed at night and having literally hundreds of creatures climbing over your entire body and drawing blood from your now very tender flesh to a degree that you become lethargic and extremely weak, that’s the best way I can describe it without being too dramatic.

How do we know if our girls have Red Mite?
Just a few indicators to watch out for, firstly if the girls refuse to go into the coop at bedtime, this is the first tell-tale that the girls are worried that they are going to be attacked once again, secondly if one or two of them stand alone looking very hunched then a closer inspection around the vent and under the wings will confirm if Mites or Lice have taken residence.
Looking for lice in the coop can be an itchy experience, ideally placing a hand in the nest box during the hours of darkness for about thirty seconds it will soon become apparent with hundreds of creeping crawlies scurrying up your arm and eventually into your hair which will help you realise just how annoying these creatures can be.

Prevention is always the easiest solution, regular cleaning of the coop with a strong disinfectant will certainly help reduce the risk of an infection, using a product that will help melt the Mite eggs is vital, the use of Diatomaceous Earth in dust baths and on the birds will also help to reduce an infestation, all these products are available in our Chicken Shack.

Treatment is a long frustrating task, if your girls are suffering from an infestation, cleaning the coop with a strong cleaner every other day for at least ten days, dusting the birds with Diatomaceous Earth daily (please mind their eyes (wearing a dust mask is advisable) after ten days the Mite population will be greatly reduced but you will need to monitor it carefully.

Should you need any advice or assistance please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to assist.

We have some very good Warrens available if you are looking to top up your flock.

Hope to see you soon
Farmer Bryan

17/07/2026

The power of chickens:

Little Freddie is a prime example of how interaction with animals can change a child or adult’s perception of life, I have witnessed so many times just how animals can bring a smile to the face of a teenager who suffers with anxiety, adults with severe depression, children who struggle in the modern academic world also respond to a chicken sitting on their lap, the lad who has been expelled from mainstream education now looking after a flock of chickens, the homeless lady who struggled to kick an alcohol problem has now found full time employment with a house in Dorset, the young boy who had not spoken due to a traumatic past, speaking to his ducks, the terminally ill cancer patient who spent his last few months caring for his girls, I could write a book about all these experiences I have witnessed over the years each and every one of them have had their lives changed with the interaction of a feathered or furry companion.
The rejection of authorities allowing animals to be permitted in schools is in my opinion very short sighted as a coop of chickens which the children can care for during a term would have so many benefits.
If you know anyone who you consider would benefit from having a few chickens in their garden please come along and have a chat let’s see if we can help, that’s how little Freddie started.
Message or email to make an appointment [email protected]

Hope to see you soon
Farmer Bryan