Pookylover Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Hi, I have been eagerly ready and waiting to rehome 10 battery hens from the BHWT. I registered my interest in February and was told the date of the next rehoming in March and I was on the list. I was so excited! I couldn't find a second hand shed so my husband brought me a new one! (bless him). He brought me an egg skelter and wicker basket (to collect the eggs) and a book for my birthday. I brought a lovely large feeder and drinker and some 'dummy' eggs for them. I was all ready (apart from the food). I then recieved an email saying due to high demand I didn't manage to get in on the March rescue. I was so dissapointed and became almost depressed about it. I got my hopes up so much. I receieved a phone call yesterday to say the next one is this Sunday and I can collect all 10 between 9am and 4pm. I said thank you and put the phone down BUT I am not excited anymore. I think I have just built myself up too much and then to get let down was the icing on the cake really. What do I do?? Do I collect and hope that having them home will change my mind or do I say thank you but let him offer them to someone else? Please help me with any advice you can offer. It will be very much appreciated. Clare x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 it must have been hard getting told that you'd have to wait but you should still go and pick them up.. you won't regret it. We've only had our Omlet girls two weeks but we all love them. They are great fun, relaxing and amusing to watch and every so easy to look after Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 So sorry to hear that you felt let down............But i think you should still collect your rescue hens on Sunday, I am sure you will fall head over heels in love with them, and it is such a good cause.........Don't be down hearted they make great pets and you get lovely eggs every day to boot. I do hope you make it to the rescue centre we can't wait to hear about your new hens......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bokbok Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 When I had ordered mine I was sooo hyper you couldn't stop me smiling - but then they arrived and I was layed in bed unable to get to sleep thinking , what have I done , have I taken on too much , what was I thinking?! I am so glad I have them - I don't know why I was so worried. They are part of my family now , and have so much love to give (as long as you have some sweetcorn on you ). I say go for it - I know it's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride but we're all here to help you. Good luck , whatever you decide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 No Claire, It will be great! - fantastic even. You'll get them home and will bond straight away! - they thank you each morning for saving them with a wonderful egg. I picked my 4 up in March and the queue was amazing, All down to the Jamie Oliver TV Show.... I thought I would get the chance to pick and choose my girls but when we got there we were just handed 4 chickens. in my opinion they turned out to be the best 4 of the bunch! (they are so funny - each one is different from the other in their moods and temperament). They hop into the kitchen or my office and say "Hi" - they love it when we pick them up for a cuddle, think about it positively... you will love every minute of them and will regret it if you don't do it. Vicky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trixabell Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Do it!!! Go and get them, i've been the same as everyone, got worried sick when we picked them up and thought oh no i've taken on too much....now i wouldn't change them for the world and slightly regret not getting more!! Pooky you won't regret it i assure you it will be fab!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Clare, welcome to the forum I totally understand how you are feeling. I got my Eglu in June of last year, ready for rescue hens the same month. The rescue got cancelled three times and I was very disappointed, I finally could wait no longer and finally got 3 Omlet hybrids in Sept. Rescuing ex batts is such a worthwhile thing to do and I'm almost 100% sure that if you did go ahead and get them you would not regret it, it is magical to see them change from poor bedraggled egg machines into fully feathered cheeky normal hens Do you think a little bit of your changing your mind is to do with being nervous about owning chickens, I think everybody goes through the 'Oh what have I done' feeling I do hope you don't change your mind, but of course you must choose what to do for the best. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEB Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 You shouldn't get them if you're not sure, however i feel positive that once they're home you'll be completly won over by them, it's a shame you feel like this now when you were obviously so excited before. I've had mine just over a month now and every day is still so exciting, . I've had a few problems and lots of worries, but I definatly can't imagine being without the girls now, thy also bring lots of smiles!. I just can't get enough of them. Getting chooks was definatly one of the best things I've ever done....and I never dreamt i would feel like that. I would love to get some rescue girls next. I hope you can put your mind at rest and find that inner excitment that you obviously had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Get them.. they need you .I really hope that everyone is as prepared as you are, and are taking the responsibility as seriously, as I fear they may not be.As always, the media hype makes poeple "want things", so as you've made such a huge and responsible effort to get yr house ready for them, give it a go. We've had hens for 12 yrs now(not the same ones!!) and they're a real pleasure, and much easier to look after than dogs!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Although I am having neighbour problems, (!) I wouldn't get rid of them for anybody (take note, neighbour!). When I picked them up, I will admit I wasn't sure - a bit smelly, big feet and wings ! And I worried all the first night. But when I got home after work on the first full day and they had each laid an egg, I felt so humbled. I didn't get them for the eggs, so that is a bonus; the feeling that you have given them a new life is magical. They don't all lay every day, but within a week, they come to see me whenever I go into the garden and all will now eat from my fingers. But if you are really unsure, then do think hard about it - in the end, you can only do what you feel is right for YOU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pookylover Posted April 7, 2008 Author Share Posted April 7, 2008 Thank you all of you! You are right (of course) I should go ahead and collect them. I have thought it all through and I am comitted to this. I have not fallen prey to the media hype and never saw any of the programs centered on the chickens plight. I have wanted to do this for ages and after finally convincing my husband I wandered across the BHWT website. I love reading all your funny stories about your hens and seeing the lovely photos you all post. Soon I can tell you my funny stories and post my pictures for you all to see too BECAUSE I AM GOING TO ADOPT 10 BATTERY HENS! Thank you all so much, Clare x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Yahoo!!! - well done Claire... you won't regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Well done Claire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Well done! I love my ex-batts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keanie Bean Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Just read through this thread, and I'm really pleased your going ahead with it. You will get so much pleasure from them. Well done Sarah.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trixabell Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 So pleased you've decided to go thru with it thats brilliant news, 10 ex batts are on their way to a happy home x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 brilliant news - you had obviously prepared so well for them it would have been a shame if you had decided against it. I am sure you will soon fall in love with them ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pearsons Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 I got my rescue hens at short notice and have not regretted it. They are really docile and quiet but can stick up for themselves when the rest of the flock gets pecky. The rescue girls love to be around people and are the first to come running and generally get in the way. They are very easy to pick up and live to be petted....... they also like to have a bite at fingers and toes. At first they were scared of the sky and any movement but now apart from still looking a bit scruffy they are great. They are also good and reliable layers. I get at least two eggs a day from the three rescue hens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmaw298 Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 I agree, brilliant decision. I adopted 4 ex-batts in January and have never looked back - and don't worry there's a whole host of people waiting to help out on this website should you have any concerns or queries at any time. But mostly, its plain sailing - just you, the happy hens and an endless supply of eggs... Now the only thing left for you to do is to choose 10 names! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Well done! It's a lovely thing to do and when I have more experience I'd like to do the same one day. Maybe you didn't get excited when you got the phone call because you are subconsciously protecting yourself from being let down again, like a defence mechanism after being disappointed the first time. Now, about those 10 names....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLK69 Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 I know where you are coming from it does seem like a huge step - I adopted my 5 exbatts on March 28th. It was something I spent a long time thinking about and researching and I wondered if I had just watched to much telly - but I thought why not? why can't I keep chickens what is there to stop me? Maybe you have just prepared yourself mentally for more disappointment, my heart would have been broken if my rescue had been cancelled (though they do warn you it can happen) But 10 days in, and I would not be with out them - I have been amazed by them, on day 2 they went off to roost by themselves at 7.30pm on day three they started to lay their eggs in the nesting box. On day 7 they had a brief free range and dustbath. Bar the scabby feathers you would not know they were ex-batts. We are having a fantastic time with them - they are mega tame and follow me about, are a doddle to catch. They have enriched my life - and make me ashamed to remember I used to eat battery eggs (15 yrs ago) There is no way hens should be kept in horrible barren cages - when you see them in your garden you witness the behaviours natural to them, that they could not engage in within those awfull cages. I have never kept hens b4 so was a bit worried about taking them on but all is good. The eggs are abonus too - Go on free a hen - you won't regret it - S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Hey you go for it!! You can't leave them there in those poor conditions they been in. You will never look back once you got them, you will love them. I was really worried before we got our hens but it's ok we love them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 I'm sure you're making the right decision . Go for it . (And let us see photos soon!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 You won't regret it! I've had my four 10 days now and I love them to pieces Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 You will love them! It's so nice that your husband seems very supportive too. I love the idea of an egg basket but really don't need it for 2 hens! What are you planning on doing with all the eggs? Reading this forum makes me think there won't be a household without their own chickens soon! How many new members this year? (at this rate all the battery farms will go out of business!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
