*mummy_hen* Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 (edited) Hi All, Thanks for the posts, wishing me luck for today....they are finally here! Set off from our house at 8.45 am, was in convoy with my mum and dad and our two friends who were also rescuing, stopped at little chef for a breakfast....then set off!! Arrived 35 mins early, had to hang around for about 5 and then they took us in. As soon as i saw them all i started shaking like an absolute leaf, i didn't know whether to cry, be angry or what, they were in such a terrible state. The two co-ordinators said it was the first time they had used this farm and it was appauling, they wouldnt even let them into the barn which tells them it was in an awful state - they had men carrying out 10 chickens each at a time by their feet, the poor darlings!! Ended up getting 5 instead of 4 Between us all we had an extra 4! There were some people that arrived just after us and when they saw them they said 'oh no, not having them' and left.....excuse my language on here but what total *****!!! Made me furious!! Anyway.....got them home, put them in their run and expected them to do nothing.....they had other ideas, there was one (florence) who was a cheeky madam right from the start, getting into everything....within an hour or so they were all pecking around, eating and drinking from their glug and grub....it was amazing to watch! Thelma and Henrietta are the least scruffy but the most nervous at the moment funnily enough, but they were eating out our hands by bed time. By 6pm tonight i had flo on my lap, they just love you to be with them, it's so cute! They had a little bowl of pasta which they loved, also gave them some tomatoes but they weren't too sure about them and they are eating both mash and pellets happily!! They are all so beautiful and all completely different. We have 2 dark red heads, too light gingers and 1 blondie!! Hehe! Putting them to bed upset me a little, they were good as gold but i'm just worrying that they will injur themselves or not settle or something (silly i know). They did spend 10 minutes standing on the perches (very low ones i might add) looking out their heart shaped perspex window at us....bless them! Anyway, sorry for the waffle, just on such a high, have taken sooo many pictures already and started a video diary of them which i will eventially get round to posting but for now, let me introduce you to my little darlings ..... Amy x Florence http://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo?album_id=47292151&photo_id=1690141423 Martha http://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo?album_id=47292151&photo_id=1690142563 http://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo?album_id=47292151&photo_id=1690142564 Edwina http://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo?album_id=47292151&photo_id=1690141425 Henrietta http://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo?album_id=47292151&photo_id=1690141421 Thelma http://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo?album_id=47292151&photo_id=1690141426 Us with Flo http://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo?album_id=47292151&photo_id=1690141422 http://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo?photo_id=1690141420&album_id=47292151 Edited May 23, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 oooh, lovely! I love photos! What a gorgeous collection, and they wont know themselves in that hen palace you have for them - they are such lucky chooks! Cant believe people took a look at some of the poor things and left without any.... Have fun this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Oh Amy they are so lovely! I was nearly in tears reading what happened! I would love some ex batts myself but OH not keen .. hoping we can add some to flock at later date. Wish you all the best ..such lucky chooks to find a lovely mum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 They will love that gorgeous house!! Hope you have a lovely time this Bank Hol weekend, watching them and having lots of cuddles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Congratulations. You will get such a kick out of watching them recover and feather up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted May 23, 2008 Author Share Posted May 23, 2008 Thanks I'm still a bit of a nervous wreck but loving having them. Haven't heard a peep out of them since about 15mins after they went to bed, so hopefully all is well in hen palace! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 They are soo lovely already - given a few weeks re-growth and they are going to be lovely looking hens - well done and I am glad to see the photos today. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daj198 Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Congratulations! They look lovely... especially Martha! I might have to steal that one, what a lovely chook she is! I can't believe people would not take them. If you're going to be like that, just get one's from a breeder. What do you expect when they've been in tiny cages for 18 months!? Some people! Well done for getting four more between you, hopefully that made up for the other people who didn't get theirs! Have fun this weekend, It'll probably feel a bit surreal when you first visit them in the mornings. I can remember seeing them out of the window and thinking "Chickens?!" and then a few moments later remembering that I was now a poultry farmer! (sort of) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted May 23, 2008 Author Share Posted May 23, 2008 I am so proud of them all They've coped so well bless them and considering their only human contact has been that of cold-heartedness they love our affection already! I know, i thought that was so mean....they are beautiful and will be even more so when their lovely new feathers come through. Personally, i love the fact we've rescued them! I can understand that - can't quite believe they are out there!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Congratulations, what a lovely story, I can hear the high in your voice. Thank goodness those hens will have a happy ending, it's amazing how trusting they are isn't it considering how appalling their only knowledge of humans has been so far. I wonder what on earth those other people were expecting when they went to the rescue then? Makes you wonder what sort of chicken mummy's they'll make in the end. Oh, and by the way, that hen house is FAB! Pink curtains in a hen house, Well done you two, look forward to your first eggs and hope you have a lovely weekend with your new girls. Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Amy Know what you mean. rescuing just feels so good does'nt it? Knowing you've done something right. The girls are lovely. Enjoy!! Troy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Congratulations Amy and OH!! You have done good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Congratulations on rescuing your girls You will love watching them develop their personalities and new feathers. Enjoy them Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Congratulations on getting your beautiful girls. Well done for giving them a second chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 well done I love the pictures especially Martha's cheeky look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beauty-Box Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Well done Amy! Your pictures are gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchlayer Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 awww, just looked at your lovely photos. You both look really proud. At last your lovely hen house occupied. I am sure they well appreciate it. I love mine after only 3 weeks. No idea whether you can rescue in France, scared to ask!! But well done for taking a few more. Have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted May 24, 2008 Author Share Posted May 24, 2008 Thanks all for your lovely replies.....yet another day spent with them and watching them in the garden. Really feel like they are settling in nicely though and they certainly are very effectionate. They have tried broccoli today (not keen) and sweetcorn which went down a treat.....definately a favourite. Also gave them a handful of mixed corn which they enjoyed far more than yesterday. Anyone thinking of getting ex-batts.....would 1 million percent recommend it, they are so fab!!! (can you tell i'm pleased with them?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Bless you they're lovely! I have 3 ex batts and am hoping for 5 more in June.... I really hope the people that walked away from the poor looking ex batts don't bother getting chickens at all. ...I don't think they deserve chickens of any sort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted May 24, 2008 Author Share Posted May 24, 2008 I agree - they don't deserve them anyway if that is their attitude. They don't know what they're missing out on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Lovely girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisaroo2 Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Well done and congratulations. Your girls have now got a lovely new home, the pics are fab, and will have a much better life from now on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 congratulations! i think it's so wonderful that you have rescued them - who knows what may have happend otherwise. keep us posted on thier progress! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 What gorgeous photos . They're very lucky girls to have ended up with you and that fantastic henhouse . It always brings a tear to my eye when I see newly rescued ex-batts with their pale combs and bare bits but it's so lovely to see their progress and hear how they recover so quickly . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted May 25, 2008 Author Share Posted May 25, 2008 Day 3 and all is still going well - had a bit of a nightmare over the shall we put them in shant we with the rain this morning but now all is calm again in hen palace. Currently sat watching them from the kitchen french doors, they are so cute! 2 of them are in the house.....finally sussing out the ladder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
