Dharma chick Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 We have had our ex-battery girls for three and half weeks now. We went for five but when we saw the poor little mites we came home with eight. They were shocked and in very poor condition when we brought them home. We have had traumas ie sore bottoms, egg bound and some not very nice 'hen pecking' However we never looked back and become totally besotted with them. Now after a lot of love and care they are really blooming and in to everything! Hopefully at last we have managed to post some pictures. Firstly, there is myrtle who was a real sorry state. The second pic is of her now, into everything! Then there is olive who had a very sore bottom and did not want to do anything. Now she loves her aubiose bath (didn't like the sand bath) They are lovely girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Oh poor things ! ( lucky girls now ! ) they should have photos like that on all the egg aisles of the supermarket - a bit like the warnings on cigarette packets ! Lovely to know yours have another chance at life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Oh bless, poor little girls! Just as well you rescued them, well done you. I think next time we come to get some more I would be tempted to get ex-batts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrandMrsG Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Bless, how good are you to re-home eight of them - please keep posting the photos of them, it would be great to so how they progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 (edited) Poor things. It shows what a hard life they have in the battery cages. What indomitable spirits they are though. You can see that they have characters. It would be lovely to see pics three months hence to see what a transformation your TLC will have brought about. All the best. Edited April 6, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Oh what sweethearts. Bless their little starfish feet. Well done for giving them a lovely happy home . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Oh my word, the poor little girlies . At least they've got a happy, loving home now and will soon be all feathery again . Please do let us see their progress with regular photo updates . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 I'm so glad they are getting another life with you Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Those pics almost got me going (in a tearful humble way!!) And there's me still pondering over whether to get hybrids or purebreeds!! Well done you - you deserve a medal. Just hope I can do the same one day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Ahhh, poor little girlies. They look a bit worse for wear than our 4! They are very quick to learn though, it's lovely to see them displaying normal chicken behaviour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 My heart sank seeing them photos. Well done for giving them such a good home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah B Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Poor little clucks, bless you for taking them in. I'd love to see more pics please as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Good Evening All, Ah my goodness, . .. .. .silent pause . .. .long silent pause . .. i had no idea, i was expecting the ususal photies of the typical beautiful chooks, with feathers & healthy & . .ljust ike my photies & many others who have just taken aboard their new venture in chicken keeping!! chickens perfect from the breeder so to speak. My breath was taken & my eyes filled with tears . Bless you & all those who look after these dear little souls. One day i hope i have enough experience in chicken keeping to adopt ex bats myself. How lucky they are to have you & all you can give & share with them Wishing you all many joys & the pleasure freedom & TLC brings. Ms Tillyquestionshowbatterychickenscaneverbeallowed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Oh poor things ! ( lucky girls now ! ) they should have photos like that on all the egg aisles of the supermarket - a bit like the warnings on cigarette packets ! Lovely to know yours have another chance at life. I completely agree, I feel like sending the picture of poor little Myrtle to everyone I know who eats battery eggs. good for you giving them a second chance, they are such lucky girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Bless their featherless little hearts! Saddened but happy at the same time. Do post more pics once they have their feathers. What a fabulous job you are doing, saving them from further suffering. *hugs* I so want some ex-batts when I feel more confident to care for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Ahh bless them. It really does break your heart doesn't it when you see how bald they are. They really are oven ready. Our first chickens are going to be exbatts. We're down for rescuing 6 sometime in May (was April but date changed) Look forward to seeing updated photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Oh my word. Poor little things. That has got me a bit worried. I'm new to hen keeping, Ive had my three girls 4 weeks now. I've got some rescue girls due some time soon, but seeing your pictures has scared me. DO you think you have to be an experienced chook keeper to look after them properly? I've been reading LOADS about chook keeping and about rescusing ex batts. But theory from books is one thing. Do you think its ok for a beginner to take on some rescue girls? I didn't expect them to look that poorly. Well done you. Please keep us updated with pics as they recover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Oh my word. Poor little things. That has got me a bit worried. I'm new to hen keeping, Ive had my three girls 4 weeks now. I've got some rescue girls due some time soon, but seeing your pictures has scared me. DO you think you have to be an experienced chook keeper to look after them properly? I've been reading LOADS about chook keeping and about rescusing ex batts. But theory from books is one thing. Do you think its ok for a beginner to take on some rescue girls? I didn't expect them to look that poorly. Well done you. Please keep us updated with pics as they recover. I'm a beginner and have been told that as long as you realise that exbatts may need more love and looking after than regular chickens you'll be fine. Of course they may not live long either or produce lots of eggs but for me that's not important. Not sure if I'm allowed to post this yahoo group link so apologies if I'm not Yahoo ex batts group There's loads of advice on here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 These are the most heartbreaking pics of battery hens I have ever seen. So glad that I've been buying free range organic eggs and products for ages. Still, this wicked industry continues to exist. Good on you for rescuing those poor creatures. I ordered the Omlet Pepperpots so that I could have "home delivery" asap, given that there was a long waiting list to rehome the battery hens. However, if all goes well, I would love to increase the flock with rescue hens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trixabell Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 I've got Ex batt girls myself but they are no where near as bad as Myrtle was, but that has brought tears to my eyes i'm afraid, i pick all my girls up every day and cuddle them and kiss them and anyone who is thinking of taking on some ex batts, well i'm a newbie to this, i've had them roughly a month and so far they are looking healthy and happy I would recommend it, you don't need experience to give lots of love and care x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dharma chick Posted April 7, 2008 Author Share Posted April 7, 2008 Hi everyone, Have just come in from feeding the girls their afternoon porridge. I have really been touched by peoples response to my girls. I must admit i was really shocked when i was given myrtle and was told that she would need a lot of TLC. I have never had chickens before and had doubts whether i would be good enough for these sweet girls. However the mothering instinct 'kicked in' and i just followed my heart. There has been a lot of heartache especially when we first bought them home but that has been overridden by the joy and awe of seeing these brave girls bloom into 'hooligans' and into everything. They have such individual characters and have brought a lot of happiness. My life has been turned upside down and i wouldn't have it any other way. Not all ex-batts look like this, this farmer had not looked after his hens, others do- I urge people to adopt these girls and give them a chance of life. Thanks again everyone for your support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fur 'n' Feathers Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Could cry to see their condition. Poor things! How they will love their new home. Well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ's Chooks Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 I can't believe the photo's ... It really is hard to stomach that we are supposed to be civilised but people are prepared to allow battery farms to continue and continue to buy their eggs. Well done for adopting them, I'm sure they are relived to be out!! What did they make of the snow - i bet they were cold!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...