Totty Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 I have been on the Surrey and Berkshire waiting list for over two months now and although there is a rescue going on tomorrow in Berkshire it would appear that I am not on the list I have tried emailing BHWT and left a message on the Berkshire co-ordinatrs phone but they have not yet come back to me. The rescue for Berkshire uses the Diana Brimblecombe rescue home for collection of them so after speaking to them today, they have told me to ring on Saturday to see if there are any left over Ex-Batts going but I understand that they have a waiting list also. My daughter's keep asking where the chickens are and to be honest my husband and I want them now. As much as I would love to help the Ex-Batts I am at the point where I have been left with no choice but to get my chickens elsewhere otherwise I could be waiting another couple of months. So if I am not lucky to get my Ex-Batts Saturday I will be on the search for a supplier locally to me. Has anyone have any reviews on Hook Farm Chickens as tey are a few miles away and sell Hybrids amongst other breeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 I'm in the same boat. I just got the standard e-mail then nothing, its very frustrating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totty Posted May 1, 2008 Author Share Posted May 1, 2008 Your right it's very frustrating. I really want to help these little ladies but you need to do what suits your situation. I do feel guilty that it seems that I will end up buying some rather than taking on the Ex-Batts but at this rate it will be June or July before I get some and then most of the summer is over and my family will not get to spend so much time with them. I can only hope that there are some spare on Satuday and by some miracle I can get the three that I originally wanted. It is exciting to know that no matter what I am getting chickens this weekend. The lady at Hook Farm seems very friendly and knowledgable so I hope her chickens are healthy and it's a good living environment they are in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One_Box Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 How very frustrating for you I've just come home from a holiday in Devon and was told by a breeder that in that area the waiting list is about a year I don't know how the BHWT allocates hens, there doesn't seem a great deal of consistency around the regions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 I think it is first come first served, but they are inundated with requests after the Hugh and Jamie programmes, and often can't rescue enough to meet the demand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 Can I suggest you phone the Sussex Coordinator - Sarah Hall. There is a BHWT rescue next Saturday 10th May (collection is from near Chichester). I help regularly at these rescues and we quite often have a few spares (sadly I won't be at the one on the 10th first time I've had to miss a rescue ) Good LucK and hope you get some girls soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 Can I just add some details to explain the situation here, as i work for BHWT. We're asking for patience as we work through the lists, there are many factors at play here and of course the huge publicity has created a huge demand. We have to work to the farmers timetable and the slaughterman. Many farmers have kept their hens longer as the wheat prices have risen. This all affects the rehomers and BHWT volunteers. Please email your coords as they will get back to you, they are all volunteers so please take this into account, we all want you to have your hens Rescues are happening all the time and Jean Gill in Essex actually has a really fast moving list so she may be worth a try. That's the latest I heard anyway. I will always be happy to update you and believe me it's worth a few weeks wait and those hens are the luckiest girls and will reward you daily Just think there's a hen in a cage right now and she could be yours very soon Thanks guys Buffie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue_ Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 I have been on the Surrey and Berkshire waiting list for over two months now and although there is a rescue going on tomorrow in Berkshire it would appear that I am not on the list I have tried emailing BHWT and left a message on the Berkshire co-ordinatrs phone but they have not yet come back to me. The rescue for Berkshire uses the Diana Brimblecombe rescue home for collection of them so after speaking to them today, they have told me to ring on Saturday to see if there are any left over Ex-Batts going but I understand that they have a waiting list also. My daughter's keep asking where the chickens are and to be honest my husband and I want them now. As much as I would love to help the Ex-Batts I am at the point where I have been left with no choice but to get my chickens elsewhere otherwise I could be waiting another couple of months. So if I am not lucky to get my Ex-Batts Saturday I will be on the search for a supplier locally to me. Has anyone have any reviews on Hook Farm Chickens as tey are a few miles away and sell Hybrids amongst other breeds. Dear All - hi this is the first time I've used this forum so please forgive if I make a hash of it. I adopted 3 ex batts on the March rescue in Lancashire. I put my name down in January. I can not emphasise enough that it is worth the wait. It depends the reasons for wanting hens - mine was to give hens that had been kept in cages the chance to enjoy the remainder of their lives outdoors. The joy these 3 girls have given me during the month I have had them is unbelievable - and to see the changes in their behaviour is priceless. Anyone getting a little disappointed in having to wait for ex batts - please - do wait - its worth it - they pay you back 100 times over! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 ....can I just ask if the demand is already so huge that people are on 3-month waiting lists why are the BHWT appearing on national television on monday? Surely this is just going to make the situation worse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
safari chick Posted May 3, 2008 Share Posted May 3, 2008 Hi I'm on Jean Gill's list in Essex - I emailed this week to see if I have been allocated any yet and she asked me to be patient and that she has had problems with her computer and that she will email me in the next few days - hopefully with a date. I have only been waiting a few weeks but if feels like a lot longer! I have read what was said about the BHWT being on tv on Monday and ok that will again increase demand but not the wait for anyone already on teh list. Isnt that a good thing for the hens in general - it will highlight the plight of the battery hens and why people should be choosing foods with free range eggs in them not battery eggs. Afterall isnt that what we want - less battery chickens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 Isnt that a good thing for the hens in general - it will highlight the plight of the battery hens and why people should be choosing foods with free range eggs in them not battery eggs. Afterall isnt that what we want - less battery chickens? That is very true, but the BHWT are a rescue organisation first and foremost. I dont begrudge them some profile-raising, I'm just saying I think the timing is bad considering how big the waiting lists already are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 As well as the telly there was a two page spread on them in the country file magazine last month as well. Surely this has to help raise their profile and fund raising - not everyone seeing this will be in a position to adopt, but may help fund their work? Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 ....can I just ask if the demand is already so huge that people are on 3-month waiting lists why are the BHWT appearing on national television on monday? Surely this is just going to make the situation worse? We have no choice in the the timings I am afraid. We have actually got over 5000 girls coming out over the next month so I hope you can see that we're working hard to get hens for you all. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLK69 Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 I too waited what seemed like an eternity (2 months) to rehome 5 exbatts - and was almost at the point of going to local farm - but held off thank goodness. As anyone who has rescued any animal will tell you, it is a total joy to watch rescued animals blossom under their new conditions. We had friends over last week who had not seen the hens since they arrived and couldn't believe the diffrence in them - not a lot more feathers but pleanty more attitude, confidence and friendliness. Best decision I ever made to wait on these ladiez - gives you a glow to see them out and about. BHWT should take every chance they can get to publise their work - previous post was good - some people will not be able to rehome chooks, but will give donations instead. More hens out cages I say ! Susie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaylis1980 Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 so what happened on saturday? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 Oh how awful having such a long wait - we collect ours on the 23rd May and we will have been on the waiting list for about a month. When we first spoke to the co-ordinators they told us it would be August and then about a week later contacted us again with the earlier date. We are using the Birmingham/Coventry co-ordinators and they have been nothing but helpful. Really hope you have held out and are still going to rescue some ex-batts. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 Having read that they needed special care. I didn't feel prepared to look after ex batts when I got my girls. I'm not experienced in chicken keeping. After getting my girls though I discovered that an animal rescue centre close to me has chickens! I thought they only had cats and dogs! Perhaps that could be an option for some of you out there who are waiting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totty Posted May 6, 2008 Author Share Posted May 6, 2008 We decided to buy chickens in the end rather than waiting for the ex-batts. We agonised long and hard about it but in the end we didn't feel we wanted to wait any longer. We chose to support a local breeder who had taken on chickens that were due to be battery hens but got rejected by the farmer and got a very lucky break. You can see them on another thread called "Our girls are here" We got a second egg today by Tikka and so far they have been good girls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 I'm sure it must be disappointing and frustrating to have to wait for your battery girls.....but I can honestly say it will be well worth it in the end. They are such delightful characters, and are so overjoyed to be free. They come in all sorts of stages of bedragglement, from almost oven ready to well feathered and any thing in between......but their feathers grow back very quickly when they get fresh air, a bit of free ranging and an adequate diet. Mine seem to have so much more go in them than my other hens.....I don't know if it is a breed difference...but they are eager, inquisitive and a joy to have around. If you can hang on and give some ex-batts a home, you will be glad you did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 I posted a thread a while ago about how I hadn't heard from the BHWT but I am pleased to say that I was contacted in the end and spoke to a lovely lady called Fiona. I have been listed for the June rescue [not too sure of the date as yet] ....She was a very good "sales Lady" lol and I am down for 5 more girlies...[i was only thinking of 3 more but what's a few more little darlings...] lol I am so glad that I have hung on but I do understand that especially if you have children getting excited [not to mention the adults] that it must be difficult to keep waiting. Enjoy your chickens whichever breed you have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
safari chick Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 I've had my pick up date confirmed for 24th May - in Essex. So whilst its seemed like ages and ages its only been just over a month! They are going to be called, Madge, Ella and Renee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chili pepper Posted May 11, 2008 Share Posted May 11, 2008 See you there then safari chick - I'll be helping with the rescue. The BHWT are a rescue organisation, mostly run by volunteers who have other commitments, jobs and families too. The coordinators spend most of their evenings and weekends taking phonecall after phonecall, contacting farmers organising the pick up days etc. They really are trying as hard as they can to get the birds out but they are constrained by the numbers of farms they can get into and the farmers wont turn out the girls until they are about 14/16 months old. Also there is the question of how many birds one coordinator can transport, safely, at any one time. I was on the waiting list in April last year and had to wait about 6 or 8 weeks, I am a 'i want it tomorrow!' kinda girl and the wait was so hard, but its so well worth it. My girls are the best I could of hoped for. Please be patient, these girls REALLY need your help.!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
