News from Durham Hens

Staying Calm and Clucking On

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 15:28:19 GMT

Navigating the Bird Flu Situation in England

As many of you may have heard, bird flu has been making headlines recently. I know that as hobby chicken keepers, your primary concern is the health and wellbeing of your hens. While the news can be alarming, it’s important to remember that by staying informed and taking action, we can minimise the risks.

Understanding the Situation

The current bird flu situation in England has understandably caused some concern. Authorities are monitoring developments, and biosecurity measures are being increased to protect both commercial and small flocks. It’s a reminder for us all to review our own practices and stay vigilant.

Practical Steps for Hobby Chicken Keepers

Reduce Wild Bird Contact
The major risk comes from contact with wild birds. Cover chicken runs and keep poultry feeders and drinkers inside. Use tap water rather than water from streams and water butts that may be contaminated. Avoid visiting high-risk areas where waterfowl live, such as lakesides and the coast. Don’t touch any dead or dying wild birds.
Regular Cleaning
Regularly clean your coop and equipment. Make sure anyone walking in the chicken run wears clean clothing and footwear.
Stay Informed
Follow updates from the APHA, your local council, and other trusted sources. Check the APHA MAP to find out if restrictions apply in your area.

Mandatory Housing Measures

There are mandatory housing measures in place for much of the country.

If your hens are usually free range, keeping them contained can be a challenge. Active birds can quickly become bored or stressed, which may lead to unwanted behaviours.

There are ways to help keep hens entertained indoors. Try adding extra perches at varying heights, installing a chicken swing, or providing a dust bath. Peck blocks, treat-dispensing toys, and even shiny objects like old CDs hung on string can provide hours of stimulation.

Looking for more ideas? We've got a whole range of products in our shop at Durham Hens to help keep your hens happy.

Keeping a Level Head

The key to managing any potential problem is being prepared. While the thought of bird flu restrictions can be upsetting, these measures keep our hens safe. Taking simple precautions and staying informed can reduce the risks.

Share your own tips or ask questions in the comments below.

Introducing Chicks to a Broody Hen

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 16:38:17 GMT

A Practical Guide

If there’s one thing I love about keeping chickens, it’s watching the magic of a broody hen raising chicks. There’s nothing quite like seeing a mother hen gently clucking to her little ones, teaching them how to scratch for food, and keeping them warm under her feathers. But what if you can't wait for fertile eggs to hatch or you only want to raise female chicks? Don’t worry—introducing young chicks to a broody is an excellent alternative, and with the right approach, she’ll accept them as her own!

Step 1: Choose the Right Hen

Not every broody hen will readily accept chicks, so you want to select one that has been consistently broody for at least two weeks. A hen that is deeply committed to motherhood will be more likely to take in the new babies without issue.

Step 2: Pick the Right Time

Timing is everything! The best time to introduce chicks is at night when the hen is sleepy and more receptive. Under the cover of darkness, gently slip the chicks under her while removing any unhatched eggs she may have been sitting on. This tricks her into thinking the chicks have hatched naturally.

Step 3: Observe Carefully

The morning after, keep a close watch on her behaviour. A good broody hen will immediately start clucking softly and tucking the chicks under her wings. If she pecks at them aggressively or refuses to accept them, you may need to step in and brood the chicks yourself.

Step 4: Provide Proper Nutrition

Since baby chicks require different feed than an adult hen, it’s best to provide chick starter feed that the mother can also eat. Chick-sized waterers are also essential to prevent drowning.

Step 5: Let Nature Take Its Course

Once the broody hen has accepted her new babies, she’ll do all the work! She’ll teach them to forage, keep them safe, and provide warmth. Be sure to give her plenty of space, fresh water, and a secure environment free from potential predators.

Final Thoughts

Adding chicks to a broody hen is one of the most rewarding experiences in poultry keeping. Not only do you get the joy of watching a mother hen raise her young, but the chicks benefit from the natural warmth and guidance of a real hen rather than a heat lamp. If done correctly, this method can lead to happy, healthy chicks, and a very satisfied mama hen.

Have you ever introduced chicks to a broody hen? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below! Happy chicken keeping! ��

Margaret named in top 100 female UK entrepreneurs

margaret@durhamhens.co.uk (Margaret Manchester) — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 18:04:28 GMT

Recognition for being a successful business owner and a best-selling author!

Margaret Manchester has been named one of the UK’s most 100 inspirational female entrepreneurs by Small Business Britain’s f:Entrepreneur ‘#ialso100’ campaign.

Margaret Manchester founded Durham Hens Limited in the north of England in 2007. Experiencing rapid growth in recent years, this award-winning business retails quality hens and poultry supplies to the pet and smallholder markets. In addition to selling modern hybrid layers, the company has a breeding programme to help preserve traditional breeds. They post rare breed hatching eggs throughout the UK in special packaging.

As well as being a successful businesswoman, Margaret writes historical romance. Her debut novel ‘The Lead Miner’s Daughter’ received excellent reviews and quickly became an international best-seller. Her books have been likened to those of the great Catherine Cookson.

Margaret is also the chairperson for ‘Friends of Killhope’, a charity involved with industrial heritage in the North Pennines. She was instrumental in saving the last mining headgear in Durham from demolition. The headframe at Groverake is now an iconic landmark in a county steeped in mining history.

'It’s an honour to be selected to join this prestigious group of high-achieving female entrepreneurs,' said Margaret. 'I’m thrilled. I would like to thank everyone at Small Business Britain for their dedication and support.'

Michelle Ovens CBE, founder of Small Business Britain and f:Entrepreneur, said, 'Congratulations to all the inspiring women chosen to join this year’s #ialso100. Despite the significant obstacles thrown at them in the last year, female entrepreneurship continues to grow and flourish. We need to continue and increase our support for these incredible women and celebrate their amazing strength and success in the face of huge challenges.'

Hatching at Home

margaret@durhamhens.co.uk (Margaret Manchester) — Sat, 06 Jun 2020 13:43:21 GMT

Things to consider

Always a popular activity in Spring, the year 2020 has seen a record number of people wanting to hatch chicks at home. This increase is partly due to the COVID-19 lockdown, which has had parents tearing their hair out looking for projects to entertain children in their homes, and hatching chicks fits the bill. A fun project, yes, but not without its pitfalls.

We would like to share our vast experience of hatching and rearing chicks at Durham Hens to ensure hatching is a good experience for you.

Firstly, you’ll need an incubator to keep the fertile eggs at a constant 37.5°C for 21 days until the eggs hatch. This is often where the biggest mistake is made. You can find incubators online for as little as £20 including delivery, which sounds great, but many of these do not keep a constant temperature, and some are fire hazards. You’re likely to waste all the money spent on the incubator and eggs, and have disappointed children. It is worth investing in a reliable incubator, such as the Brinsea range which starts at £79.

Where you place the incubator in your home is important. It should not be in direct sunlight, near a radiator or in a draft. The room should be kept at a pleasant temperature and should not fluctuate between day and night. Any one of these factors can prevent incubators from keeping the constant temperature that eggs require.

Test your incubator is working correctly. Place a medical thermometer where the eggs will be placed and check that it is the same as the reading on the display. If not, adjust the thermostat so that the medical thermometer inside the incubator reads 37.5°C. An incorrect display reading is a frequent problem encountered by novice hatchers.

Once you’re happy with your set up, you’ll need to source some fertile eggs. Durham Hens is the largest supplier of mail-order fertile eggs in the UK, sending out hundreds per day at peak times. The eggs are posted in cardboard boxes, with purpose-made soft foam inserts which cushion and protect the eggs from damage. We constantly check the fertility of our breeding stock by candling their eggs in our hatchery, and only send out eggs that we know have a good chance of developing into chicks.

When you start out, you need to have realistic expectations. Even with a good incubator in a suitable place, you may find that not all of the eggs will hatch. Some eggs may not have been fertilised, some may not develop properly and some chicks may not make it out of the egg.

A 100% hatch rate is exceptional, a 75% hatch rate is good, a 50% hatch rate is OK. Less than 50% points to a problem with either the eggs, the incubator, or its setting. When the incubation process works well, we expect customer to hatch four or five live chicks from six eggs.

If things go badly wrong, such as a power cut or incubator failure, Durham Hens usually have young chicks available for sale.

It is probable that some of the chicks you’ll hatch will be male. Male chicks grow into cockerels - that will crow. If you are unable to keep cockerels where you live, please ensure that you can either rehome them or dispatch them humanely. If you can’t deal with this, consider buying female chicks to rear rather than eggs to hatch.

Once the chicks hatch out, they’ll need to be kept in a secure container with air holes, but no drafts. The floor surface should be non-slip as they can easily damage their legs when they are young. They’ll need a heat source, such as the Brinsea Ecoglow brooder, to keep them warm. Please note that normal room temperature is not warm enough for newly hatched chicks. They’ll also need a chick drinker with fresh water, and a chick feeder with chick crumb. Ensure the container is safe from other pets - cats, and some dogs, will kill chicks. Durham Hens stocks a brooder kit that includes everything you'll need.

Children will obviously be excited by the arrival of fluffy chicks. Show them how to handle the chicks gently and always supervise young children when they hold them. Holding too tightly or squeezing can cause internal damage.

When done properly, hatching chicks at home can be an incredible experience for the whole family, and the memory is one that will stay with children for a lifetime.

For further reading, our website contains advice pages on hatching and rearing chicks.

www.durhamhens.co.uk

What a cracking business!

Sat, 02 Mar 2019 10:27:38 GMT

Rural Business Awards - National Winner - Best Rural Retail Business 2019

Durham Hens is celebrating its success after being chosen as the UK’s Best Rural Retail Business at the Rural Business Awards, held at the luxury Midlands hotel, Chateau Impney. The event was hosted by television presenter Jules Hudson, best-known for BBC’s Escape to the Country and Countryfile.

Based in rural Durham, Durham Hens began as a hobby business in 2007, and the business has increased in size every year since to meet demand. Selling laying hens, pure breed chickens, chicks, hatching eggs and poultry supplies, their reputation for great customer service and quality products means customers travel great distances to buy from them.

Demand for fertile eggs to hatch at home and in schools has increased dramatically. Durham Hens pack hatching eggs in special boxes, designed by Alec Manchester, Director of Durham Hens, and sell them via e-commerce throughout the UK.

With so many hens being kept in back gardens, there was a gap in the market for a boarding service for poultry. Durham Hens set up ‘Hen Holidays’ in 2011 and intend to franchise this part of their business in the near future.

And what else could hobby hen-keepers possibly want? A course to learn how to look after them, of course. Margaret Manchester, Managing Director of Durham Hens, runs these regularly throughout the year.

Margaret said, “The Rural Business Awards celebrates the best businesses the British countryside has to offer. We are delighted that the judges chose Durham Hens as the Best Rural Retail Business in the UK. This means so much to us, our staff and our customers.”

The award was sponsored by online retail giant Amazon and presented by James Salter, Senior Category Merchant Manager, Amazon Marketplace.

Rural Business Success!

margaret@durhamhens.co.uk (Margaret Manchester) — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:07:28 GMT

Durham Hens is 'Best Rural Retail Business' in Rural Business Awards

Durham Hens was short-listed for a Rural Business Award earlier this year.

Alec and Margaret attended the 'North' regional event, which was held at The Last Drop Hotel and Spa in Bolton, on Tuesday, 9th October 2018. The evening was well-organised. We enjoyed the champagne reception and a three-course dinner with wine, while chatting with other finalists.

The finalists for 'Best Rural Retail Business' were Farmer Copleys, Park Lodge Shooting School, Podgy Paws Pet Shop, The Shop at Glasson Dock and Durham Hens.

We were delighted that Durham Hens was announced the winner.

Our prize was presented by Carolyn Frank from FSB (Federation of Small Businesses), and then we were promptly ushered away to have our photograph taken.

As far as these awards are concerned, the 'North' includes Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, plus the northern counties of England as far as South Yorkshire and Cheshire - geographically that's over half of the UK!

I would like to thank the Rural Business Award team, and the sponsors, for putting on a fantastic event. We can't wait for the national final in February!

Vets at Durham Hens

margaret@durhamhens.co.uk (Margaret Manchester) — Fri, 31 Aug 2018 17:12:56 GMT

Focus on hen health

This summer, Durham Hens has hosted a record number of work placements for vet students, from three different universities: Liverpool, Edinburgh and the Royal Veterinary College, London. We have also had a student from Darlington working with us, and we wish her luck with her application for veterinary medicine.

Work experience in farm settings is a vital part of veterinary courses and we are pleased to help. Most poultry farms are either egg production facilities or broiler farms raising birds for meat. At Durham Hens, we offer students a more varied experience with chicks, growers, pullets and breeding stock to care for. Our livestock is kept in exceptionally good conditions, and we have years of experience that we can share with them.

In June, we were asked by a local vet to run a CPD (Continuing Professional Development) course for all of the staff in their practice. I was honoured to show them around Durham Hens, to host a hen-handling session, and to chat to them about common poultry conditions and their treatments. We had a very enjoyable day.

The summer break is coming to an end now, and it's time for the local agricultural shows. Come and chat with us at:

Wolsingham Show on Saturday 1st September and Sunday 2nd September
Stanhope Show on Saturday 8th September and Sunday 9th September

Please note that we're still open for business as usual at Tow Law on these dates.

The Dreaded Red Mite

margaret@durhamhens.co.uk (Margaret Manchester) — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 12:59:08 GMT

How do I get rid of them?

Red mite can be a serious problem in poultry sheds during the summer months. They live in hen houses, not on hens. They come out at night and suck blood from sleeping birds. If left untreated, red mite breed very quickly. Hens will become ill and die.

How do I know if there are red mite in my hen house?

Take a white cloth or piece of white kitchen roll out to the coop at night and rub it across the perch. Red smears on the cloth mean there are red mite present.

Alternatively, the 'Red Mite Alert', available from Durham Hens, is a simple reusable device for detecting red mite. Simply attach the device to a perch and check it day or night to detect the presence of red mite. If you have a broody hen, the device can be placed in the nest box. 'Red Mite Alert' allows continual monitoring for the presence of red mite, so any infestations can be treated straight away and you can see how effective your treatment is.

I have seen tiny grey things crawling in my shed. What are they?

Adult red mite are actually grey in colour. They only turn red after they have ingested blood from hens. Immature red mite are white. They can live over six months without feeding so, if buying a second-hand coop, be sure to clean it thoroughly before getting hens to ensure there are no red mite left in it.

What is Diatomaceous Earth?

Diatomaceous Earth, also known as DE powder, is a 100% natural product that is used in poultry housing and on chickens to eliminate parasites, such as mites, lice and fleas. It can be used on all types of poultry as well as horses, pigs, sheep, goats, dogs and cats. It is made from finely ground fossil particles which are microscopically very sharp. These particles scratch through the waxy exoskeleton of insects causing them to dehydrate and die. Diatomaceous Earth does not affect eggs or meat from the birds - there is no egg or meat withdrawal time. It is approved by DEFRA and, although it is classed as food grade, please note it is not intended for human consumption. The brand we stock at Durham Hens is called Smite Organic Powder.

How do I get rid of red mite?

To kill red mites, dust the ends of the perches and nest boxes regularly with Smite to stop mites getting to the hens. Hens are particularly vulnerable when they are perched up at night, laying eggs or especially if they are broody. We dust every time we clean out our hen houses. If red mite has been identified, coops should be thoroughly cleaned with Smite Professional or All Mite / Poultry Shield before using DE powder. These are both powerful, concentrated, liquid cleaners for poultry houses. They kill red mite, as well as bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae etc. Use several times a year for a thorough clean and, in the case of a red mite infestation, use on a regular basis until it is clear of red mite. Both solutions are concentrated, so simply follow the instructions for preparing the solution and spray on all surfaces of the coop.

I don't have red mite. How can I prevent it?

Dust the coop (bedding, perches and nest boxes) with Smite Organic Powder after cleaning.

Plastic hen houses are becoming more and more popular because red mite are less likely to be found in them. Also, red mite are much easier to eradicate from plastic coops.

For products to help control Red Mite, please see HEN HEALTH SUPPLIES

All about eggs!

margaret@durhamhens.co.uk (Margaret Manchester) — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 13:18:56 GMT

Functional value:

Egg yolks enhance the colour of baked products.
Egg yolks naturally emulsify fats and liquids. This promotes thickening and creates a smooth, creamy texture.
Eggs provide coagulation, binding ingredients and creating texture and height, giving structural stability to cooked products.

Nutritional value:

Eggs contain an abundance of vitamins and minerals including:

Protein (almost all of the white, and around 16% of the yolk!)
Vitamin A, B D and E (eggs remain one of the few natural ways to obtain Vitamin D through your food)
Folic Acid
Zinc
Iron
Potassium
And many more!

What the British Heart Foundations says:

"Limiting egg consumption has little effect on cholesterol levels. There is no limit to how many eggs you should eat."

"They are better food for breakfast than cereal as they fill you up for longer and reduce the urge to snack."

Are free-range eggs better?

Caged hens are not exposed to daily sunshine or fresh air; this inhibits the hen's natural bodily instincts about producing quality eggs.

Free-range hens benefit from having a wider diet due to foraging, allowing for better nourished hens. This greatly improves the nutritional value of their eggs:

The yolk has over six times more Vitamin A and D than caged birds eggs,
Vitamin E levels are almost four times the average level in caged birds eggs,
Contain around 33% less cholesterol and up to 25% less saturated fat than that in factory eggs!
Free-range eggs contain no more calories, but they have around four times the nutritional value. Not only this, but they taste better too!

Where to get free-range eggs:

Shops - Free range eggs are often from hens that have access to the outside but are still kept in large barns and frequently do not forage for their own food. You could be paying extra for low quality eggs. They may not be as fresh as those from other sources.

Farm Gate or Friends - You know the environment the hens are living in and know they truly are free-range

Your Own Hens - Not only do you know what the hens are eating and what environment they live in, but you control it! A hen will cost less than 10p per day to keep and will lay an egg almost every day. You don't need a cockerel for hens to lay. Did you know that hens make great pets and make up the fastest growing pet market in the UK?

Egg colour:

Egg shell colour is determined by the breed of chicken. There are many shades of brown eggs from cream to mahogany, white, green and blue. For example, leghorns lay white eggs, welsummers lay dark bown and legbars lay blue.

Yolk colour:

Yolk colour is determined by what the chicken eats. Some chicken foods have additives to make the yolk colour more attractive. Free-range hens have better yolks as they have a more varied diet. Natural foods high in beta carotene, e.g. maize and green vegetables, help to produce more orange-coloured yolks.

Storage:

Eggs will stay fresh for up to 3 weeks if stored in a cool place out of direct sunlight. They should not be stored in a fridge.

Egg production problems:

If you're a chicken owner having trouble with either the quantity or quality of eggs from your hens, please take a look at our Hen Health page.

Durham Hen House Review

margaret@durhamhens.co.uk (Margaret Manchester) — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 20:48:52 GMT

Hens safe in Storm Caroline

While Alec and I were on holiday in December, we received a lovely email about the Durham Hen House that Alec designed and manufactured:

Just thought I'd send some thanks - albeit I think its around 6 years since we bought a hen house from you! We are up in the far north west of Scotland - had a battering from storm Caroline yesterday (90mph winds), and now a northerly blizzard, you might have seen it on the news. I've just been out battling the elements stocking up fuel for the stoves and of course, seeing to the hens. I suppose I've rather come to take it for granted that they will be fine, we've had plenty of weather over the past few years. Sure enough, in a blizzard, their house is snug and dry, draught-proof and cosy. I don't suppose we know if they are happy, but they certainly are safe and well, thanks to a very good buy from Durham Hens.

H.D.

New Website!

margaret@durhamhens.co.uk (Margaret Manchester) — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 20:44:56 GMT

Durham Hens website ready to launch

Alec and I have been busy over the winter months developing a new website for Durham Hens. The new site has updated information pages which so many of our customers have said are useful ... and a more modern feel. There are forms to book Chicken Keeping Courses and Hen Holidays online, a contact form so messages can easily be sent to us and a map to help you find us. An online shop for hatching eggs and poultry supplies has been built into the site - take a look and you might find some new products too! We'd love to know what you think of the new website - try out the new contact form and let us know!

10 Downing Street

margaret@durhamhens.co.uk (Margaret Manchester) — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 20:46:41 GMT

Margaret attends exclusive business event

Margaret Manchester, managing director at Durham Hens Limited based near Tow Law in County Durham, was honoured to be invited to 10 Downing Street on 30th November to a Small Business Saturday event to celebrate small businesses in the UK.

Economic Secretary, Stephen Barclay, addressed business owners, emphasising the contribution of small businesses to employment and the national economy and he introduced the newly appointed Small Business Commissioner, Paul Uppal.

Durham Hens, which sell hens for egg production and for pets, won Microbusiness of the Year at the Federation of Small Businesses Awards earlier this year, and was chosen to be one of the hundred companies, out of 5.5 million in the UK, to be showcased by Small Business Saturday in the run up to Christmas.

The Small Business Saturday campaign has been very successful in encouraging customers to support small businesses in their community. Small Business Saturday is on 2nd December this year and many companies throughout the UK will be celebrating the day with special offers and events.