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Ex-Batts Arrived Saturday

By Slats, in Chickens, Eggs and Hatching

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Slats Chicken Eggspert

Slats

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Saturday:

 

The day finally arrived and I had to wait till the afternoon to go get them. Was very excited so I had planned my day to be busy until I needed to go but I was unable to contain myself so I left ahead of time! I arrived 15 Minutes early and to my joy they were already handing them out :) One of the reasons for trying to get there as close to the allotted time is we had asked for 3 but my wife really wanted 4 (and so did I) and as we are getting the run extension we thought there would be ample room for them. So I went up to the front and they asked my name and how many I had asked for and I said 3 but if you had an extra then I would happily take 4 to which they said yes :) They had rescued more than they thought so I was well happy. The girls were really quiet on the way home and I was almost in a panic after 35 minutes of silence but when I got home there were a few clucks so knew they were ok. Popped them in the cube (first time holding a chicken was an experience!) and let them settle. Opened the door, sat and watched, all I could see were startled faces and after 15 minutes of watching and no movement from them I thought I would leave them to it. 5 minutes later I could not wait and went back up to watch again!! Still all in the same positions so wondered if I had got statues!! After 40 minutes and just the odd look out of the door I thought I may need to give them a helping hand. So I opened the top of the cube and started to herd them to the door. Not the easiest job when leaning over the top! A couple of light pushes and the first one was on the top step. This made the other girls curious and then also had a look. After a couple of minutes of sitting I heard a flapping and she did the most awesome tumble off the ladder but was on the ground. The other girls slowly followed (with a little more help from me) and all four were in the run. Took another 5 minutes for them to find the Glug but as soon as one started the others followed and they must have been thirsty as they didn’t stop for ages! I then was starting to stress that they were not eating but thought that after the journey them may be too stressed and remembered reading here that they may not eat after getting them home (funnily though the dust bath got a good pecking and I think that there must have been something good in there!! After a few hours I tried some sweetcorn (tinned) and I can say that they like that!! Put them to bed at 8pm (the run needs a bigger door as getting in is a pain).

 

Sunday:

 

Got up at 7.30 to let them out and on the roosting bars was our first egg! Within an hour 3 of them were out and as the cats were not allowed out when they arrived I thought it was time to let them see the hens. As I was telling the cats to be good (I looked away for 3 seconds) another egg appeared in the run!! Was shocked at the speed of delivery! Hens made it clear that cats are to stay at a distance!! Never heard so much noise and early in the morning not the best time. Cats shooed away calm was with us again so I went back in the house. I checked every half hour to see if all was OK and at 11am there was another egg in the run. Still only 3 of them out so opened the cube to help the last one out and guess what, another egg!! So all of them had left me a thank you present for rescuing them. Had to pick up the last hen and put her in the run. Much drinking and eating was going on by all so was happy :) Wife got home in the afternoon after being away for the weekend and she then sat with them for a couple of hours, we then named them, and then we put them to bed at 8pm.

 

Monday:

 

Two made it out no problems this morning and by the time we left for work the other two were out so have left them in peace to enjoy the day :)

 

 

Pictures to follow when I get home tonight unless Mrs Slats can post some today.

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abwsco Feathery Fanatic

abwsco

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Congratulations on getting your exbatts. We've had ours since the 26th April and they are giving us all so much pleasure. Although one is a bit "off colour" at the moment so some worry as well. Looking forward to seeing the photo's :)

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Lovemychooks All Knowing Superchicken

Lovemychooks

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I'm due to get my 4th lot of ex-batts from the Surrey rescue (i'm hoping that there are two rescues) because I was told that I was on the list for the rescue in May but I still haven't heard anything.....*must remember that patience is a virtue !*

 

Enjoy them, they are the loveliest hens... :D

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Mrs Slats Chicken Eggspert

Mrs Slats

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Here are the pics of our girls first day.

 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=102755&id=728890600

 

We tried the torch trick to get them to bed last night. They instantly knew where they were supposed to be heading, although getting onto the ladder proved too much of a challenge and lift up was required. Very cute though.

 

Dixie still lethargic and timid so she's getting some extra tlc and porridge tonight.

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