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Member of the Month - Jake Jones.

September 2011.

We  caught up with member Jake Jones, known as DM Poultry on the Poultry Talk. com Network.

Jake tell us about himself and the hobby, from how he first started, to his current situation. As well as future plans & aspirations.

How did you first become interested in poultry?

I was always loved animals from a young age. I always liked chickens but when I was younger never had the chance to have them. 5 years ago we moved into a Farm house with a big empty field. It seemed a waste of having so much space and not using it. Me and me dad about 4 years ago built a chicken hut and run and we got 6 ex battery hens. Before my parents new it those six chickens have expanded into various breeds from the Poultry Family.

What do you think about hybrids and pure breeds, do you keep both, or prefer one to the other?

I think hybrids are great for beginners and fantastic eggs layers. I always think pure breeds lack in the egg laying front with size of eggs being a lot smaller but they do make up for it with their appearance. I think it is always down to what kind of bird you want weather you would like it to be an egg layer or just for looks.

I keep turkeys but they are Hybrids purely breed for their weight (the breed that supermarkets use, not sure of the fancy name for them, but known as White Turkeys). Pure breeds I have no experience but would love to keep some in the near future.

Ducks it does not matter if they are hybrids or pure all ducks are hardy and easy to look after.

What breeds do you keep now and do you have any breeding projects/experiements that you are working on?

At this very moment I keep Battery Hens, Large Fowl Orpingtons in Lavender, Blue, Black and Blue splash, Welsummer. Indian runner ducks (In almost every colour) Pekin in Lavender and Lavender cuckoo, Black Mottled, Black, Chocolate, Black Frizzle, Blue and mixed. White Turkey’s.

In the past I bred birds purely for fun e-g create hybrids. This was great practice hatching eggs out of my incubator. If you are thinking of starting hatching eggs don’t be disheartened if your first few attempts don’t work. This is why I advise people buy cheap hatching eggs if you are not experienced. Hatching is a fine art and once you get the hang of it, it is easy.

At the moment my projects consist of making a pure breeding flock of Top Quality Chocolate Pekin’s. I am hoping this will teach more about the genetics behind the colouring of poultry. I have got a breeding pair a Black frizzle cockerel (the seller was not sure if it was a split or not) and a lovely Chocolate girl. I am hoping this time next year I have a nice flock of Pure Chocolate Pekin’s. My other project is to create a pure coloured flock of Orpington’s I am not sure what colour most properly Lavender.       

Do you have any plans to show your birds or exhibit one day?

I would like too as I think it is good to keep a Pure breed to a high standard.  I have got some stunning birds and I think it is worth while showing them.

What is your favourite part of the hobby?

Hatching ducklings/chicks I just like the feeling of creating and bringing into the world new birds. It  is a lot better than buying them as adults. You will always be surprised what little chicks and ducklings come out!

Do you have any particular favorite moments, through the hobby that have been big 'highlights' for you?

I have a fair few but the one that will always stick in mind is my “Ninja turkeys”. Last year I had twelve turkeys. We decided to let them free range for the first time, but after 10 minutes of being out side a fox killed nine. So me and my brother set upon making a fort to stop this heartless killing machine. We built it out of old pallets chicken wire. We made it into a mini castle for our three remaining turkeys to life peacefully. The next day I let them out into their “fox proof” run. I checked on them later that morning to see a sight that I will never forget. These three lazy turkeys were sat around this huge fox pecking it. The fox was dead with half of its fur pecked of by my turkeys. I don’t know how they did it, there was no cuts or scares on the fox. It was a healthy looking adult so I think these three turkeys had Ninja skills and revenged their friend’s deaths. Turkeys will always surprise you. Nick my stag at the moment thinks he is a duck, even tried to go swimming, bless him!

Where do you think in 10 years time you may be within the hobby?

I will still be keeping poultry weather it will be as many as I have now. I know one thing I will have a lot more variation and hoping to help rare breeds to become more established. I will see how the future plans out.

What future do you think the hobby has?

I think this hobby will become huge. The amount of people wanting to keep chicken is fantastic! With the recession going on I would expect poultry keeping to increase. It is a fun also it pays for it’s self. It is a cheap and fun hobby and I am confidant it will grow into a well known hobby. 

Why would you recommend the hobby to others?

It is fun and rewording. People think chickens are boring mindless creatures but we all know that is completely wrong. Every chicken is different with a different personality. They enrich your life and you will feel like you have been missing out on a pet which are funny to watch and lay a fresh eggs for you everyday! They don’t need much attention and will come running to you at feeding time!

Has anyone particularly helped or inspired you with your hobby?

A man called Mark Henham which is a specialist Orpington breeder near me. He has expired me to breed pure breed birds to a top quality standard. He has all been help to me and with out him I don’t think I would have so many birds or so interested in poultry. I think my parents wished they never took me there to buy my first 6 hatching eggs, so they can reclaim their field!

Check his website out it is worth a look http://theeggman.doyourownsite.co.uk/

What do other friends think of your interest in poultry?

My friends when they first found out thought it was funny. As soon as they met my birds they fell in love with them and wanted them for them selves. They realized chickens are a lot smarter than they first thought!

What do you like the most about Poultry Talk. com?

The diversity of people on the forum. People on here all come back from different backgrounds have a world of experience. You will always learn something new on here and I hope the interest keeps on increasing.

What do you see as the future on Poultry Talk.com?

I see Poultry Talk expanding into a worldwide website. With a core of experience poultry keepers. I think this website is a real threat in the chicken world so the other forums should watch!

Do you recommend any particular suppliers that you use, breeders, places to visit, shows, auctions etc?

Wells poultry is a very good supplier. One of the cheapest with everything you need for your birds.

Check out their websitehttp://www.chicken-house.co.uk/

   Last but not least -  If you had to give advice to other poultry keepers or a beginner, that you may have learnt or found along the way, what would it be?    

Start small. Buy hybrids or the cheaper less expensive breeds so if you are looking after them incorrectly it has not burnt a hole in your pocket if it goes wrong! Don’t be scared to ask questions on the forum there are always people willing to help.

Jake also has some birds for sale currently:

Pekin’s in various colour’s  sexed. Girls £15 Boys are free!

Lavender, Black and Blue splash Orpinton’s -  Girls £65 and Boys £15

Birds are all of a high quality, the only reason I'm selling them is to enable me to focus on other birds eg- Indian Runner ducks, Chocolate Pekins and Blue Orpingtons .

Check out my always improving website www.dmpoultry.co.uk

Email me on forsale@dmpoultry.co.uk if you are interested in any birds available. If I don’t reply I am away and will reply as soon as possible.

We thank Jake for his great views on the network and the time he has taken to write this and tell us all about his birds. We think from this, some of the posts Jake has made and his active poultry keeping role, he sets a good example to many other young people interested in the hobby!

We wish Jake every sucess with all his future plans and hope he will contnue to contribute to the network