BeckyBoo Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 (not very good pictures though) here's our ex-batts, I lifted the shower curtain that's giving them shelter from the wind and they are now in the run, scratching about in the new straw with the sun on their spiky little backs. They LOVE corn and grit and dry mash, everything else is a bit alien, no sweetcorn, mealworms, broccolli (sp?) nothing, but they'll catch on I'm sure. They made it down the ladder again this morning but STILL haven't mastered going up it to bed but they're very tame, they hate being picked up (probably think they're off to the oven) but they are very inquisitive through the wire and didn't shrink away when I opened the house to clean it and take pictures. This is Margot, the biggest, then Pansy in the background and Barbara on the right - Babs and Pansy both have bare red breasts. This is Pansy (or Monkey as she's known) she's sprayed purple so I knew which one was poorly although she seems fine. She's the smallest and scraggiest. This is Henrietta with her naked neck We've had eggs, we had three today but they hardly weigh anything, tried to use one yesterday but it was so watery I threw it away (felt v. guilty) one today was cracked but didn't seem too bad when I opened it, the others are in a bowl. They're a fair size but the shells are rough and thin. Poor babies, what did they do to you in that awful place, I can't use the word farm as it conjures up nice images, hell-hole would be more appropriate. My eldest did a picture for school which said "dont tret (treat) chickens bad, we save hens" I love love love my ex-batts! Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 They look nice and active anyhow even if they are a little thread bare at the moment. I was surprised how quickly the feathers started to grow back on my three ex batts... although Margo still has a bare bottom. I'm sure it's not because she is been picked on by the others ..they just don't seem to have grown back at all and I got them last April. Have fun with your lovely girls they're very pretty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 some oyster shell mixed in with their mash should sort the thin shelled egg problem. We get the same if we don't put the oyster shell in the mash. Little Shalott's feathers are really starting to come back since we started giving them freeze dried meal worms so maybe try them with some. lovely pics, keep them coming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 With feathers or without - they look adorable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 They're beautiful, Mrs B! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Bless their hearts - they're probably so relieved to have been rescued. My girls are not ex-bats, but when they were new they would only eat their pellets. However, very quickly they discovered they liked cooked leftover vegetables. Now, they will eat absolutely everything but carrots! Extra protein will help the feathers to regrow. Try them with a bit of catfood or tinned tuna. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 They look very happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noodle Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 How wondeful they have found you! Brings tears to my eyes to see them, they are fabulous. I will seriously consider rescuing next time round. I have been shouting at the tv for the past two nights with the chicken out campaign....goodness knows what I will be like on Friday with Jamies programme. Keep the photos coming ..... I love them x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 They look very happy and lucky little girlies Mrs B. You will get so much pleasure watching them enjoy their freedom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmy Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 It must be so satisfying being able to save these hens - i would but only recently got 2 Well Done Timmy P.S They all look very happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovemychooks Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 Awwwww, what beautiful chooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 How wondeful they have found you!Brings tears to my eyes to see them, they are fabulous. I will seriously consider rescuing next time round. I have been shouting at the tv for the past two nights with the chicken out campaign....goodness knows what I will be like on Friday with Jamies programme. Keep the photos coming ..... I love them x What she said! (Couldn't have put it better myself ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 They all look very settled in their new home - you are obviously doing a wonderful job as their new chicken mum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beauty-Box Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 They are gorgeous girls!! Lovely pictures!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
