4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[dancing cloud]

I know I'm preaching to the converted here and thought I'd share photos of my ex-batts how they were two weeks ago when they arrived.

 

Hope

 

Joy

 

Dandelion

 

Daisy

 

Chance

 

Clover

 

Joy and Dandelion discover greens

 

In the two weeks I've had them, they have all put on weight and are all starting to regrow their feathers. Joy now looks particularly stubbly and in need of a shave rather than just bare

 

They are already exhibiting their own characters. Joy and Hope are very cuddly and like to sit with/on me. Daisy is boss-hen, the most talkative and the most grabby around food, but then she was much the thinnest. Chance is the one making apologetic noises at the bottom of the pecking order. Clover will eat out of my hand and still panics if I try to stroke her. Dandelion has a wider wheel-base than the others and walks like a sailor recently returned to dry land. Watching the smug look on her face as she waddled off with a whole grape in her beak was a sight to behold.

 

They lay 2-4 eggs a day and I am bringing them into work to sell, with all the proceeds going to BHWT. I sent the photos round to all my staff when telling them the eggs were on their way - I'm not opposed to a bit of emotional blackmail for a good cause! - and many of the ladies were quite upset, even one of my tougher members of staff.

 

I know ex-batts are not pretty to start off with, but can honestly say I am very glad I chose to have them and watching them develop is a real pleasure. As I have not had hens before, I had no preconceptions and have no idea if they behave differently from "normal" hens. They're cute, cuddly, funny and they all whistle in greeting and come running when they see me. OK, I know they're really just coming to see what nice things I've brought them to eat, but you take whatever love you can find in this world!

 

Thanks to all of you for the encouragement along the way.

[Laura & CTB]

What a lovely post and beautiful girls you have. It's so heartwarming to see the ex batts starting to love life.

 

Well done

[Egluntyne]

They look lovely. Well done.

[missuscluck]

Thankyou for posting your lovley pics. I hope they are enjoying their new found freedom.

[*mummy_hen*]

They are beautiful!

 

I think ex-batts are just the best. We collected ours just over two weeks ago too and are also doing fantastically.

 

It's amazing how quickly you bond with them isn't it? Ours come running as soon as they see me and follow me round everywhere!

[prettychic]

Congratulations x

[ChrisP]

Congratulations on your new girls

 

Its so sad to see them looking so rough and without many feathers, it makes me angry they are forced to live in those conditions

 

But you're giving those girls a lovely life from now on, and they will thank you with eggs, cuddles, and lots of laughs

 

Well done!

[Beauty-Box]

Your pictures are lovely! It's so nice to see them looking so happy in their new home. Well done!

[Cooks]

aww what cuties

[surferdog]

What lovely girls . Thanks for sharing the photos and well done for rescuing them.

[Tiggy]

congratulations, my surviving ex bat is now the top hen Saffy is now much bigger than the Omlet girls & keeps them in line but she is the one who is always wanting cuddles, she nearly died in a fox attack so is a very special girl, they do tug at your heart strings don't they

[Rhapsody]

Nice one, lovely girls living the life they should....

[daj198]

And so you should! They're lovely, well done you for rescuing them, I don't think ex-batts realise where they might have gone

[Chickvic]

What gorgeous pics they look very happy and settled.

[buffie]

How lovely, well done you

 

BBx

[Guest]

ex batts are our first chickens too.

 

It still shocks and upsets me to see the state they're in when they come out of the battery cages and leaving aside the 2012 ruling on enriched cages etc etc I'm still incredulous that this system is still currently allowed (by law) to go on.

 

However, it's lovely to see some more girls getting a chance at living the rest of their days being pampered and hopefully getting healthier and stronger day by day, if any chicken deserves to be spoilt, they do!

[MedusA]

For a moment there I thought Clover only had one leg!

 

What lovely girls. Congratulations. Do remember to post the "after" pics when they all get their lovely new feathers.

[frenchlayer]

Lovely pics. Good idea to sell the eggs in work.

 

Well done you, Looking forward to pics in a couple of months when they have regrown their feathers a bit. (does it take that long? no idea)