Catrina, the best source of fertile eggs is either chooknet or backyardpoultry websites. You've probably just missed the proper breeding season though -- I suggest you wait until September/October when your chooks are likely to be clucky. Buy quality eggs from a reputable fertile egg supplier and hatch and raise them as part of your existing flock.

He started to get a lose colour in his comb and wattle but was healthy right up until he died. As he was a rescue bird I am not sure how old he was but he was at least 6 years old. My guess is it was old age with a touch of cool weather.

Thanks Willowgirl .. I just noticed your commment :)

It seems odd commenting on this on a bleak, wintery day!Plant a tree or a vine, or both. I have planted mulberry trees and a peach tree on the northern side of the chook yards and both of those are deciduous which let in the warming winter sun. The mulberries in particular are fabulous shade trees with the added benefit of fruit for humans and chooks.To the eastern side here there are kiwi fruit vines and one the western side is the orchard, and on one of the fences is a sprawling passionfruit vine.If you've just planted something and have no natural shade, then for summer you may have to buiild a shade structure for them out of star pickets and shadecloth.Hose them or the ground lightly if you have enough water; hang some hessian bags on their fence and water them completely so that any breeze will provide some cool air; ensure they have lots of fresh cool water and if you're heading off to work for the day, put a block of ice in their drinking containers to keep the water temperature down.

The sound that sends dread through any poultry keeper when you have a lovely little batch of unsexed chickens then one dark morning you hear the sound 'ra ra ra ra ruuuuuuu'...grrrrrrr You end up with 4 roosters and 1 hen...yikes

Be very careful with quails as they can be very nervous and flighty and you would need a very well penned area, fully covered to keep them in. Any of the heavier hen breeds would probably suit your needs much better. I admire anyone who can take their own poultry to the table, I am too much of a sook. Good luck..