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

[HENthusiastic]

Hello. I rescued 3 ex batts in April. One of them got ill and after vets treatment, had to be put down. Another of them has been treated by the vet, got better and is now poorly again. Only one of them has stayed healthy and well.

 

Ive posted in chicken clinic for more specific advice, but what I'm wanting now is to know from you guys is whether this is bad luck, or are all ex-batts this flakey? Is this what its usually like?

 

I wont stop rescuing.......... but it feels hard right now.

[Lydia]

Hello there

 

I know exactly how you feel, it can be really really hard when they check out early.

 

Some are just too exhausted by their previous stressful life and do flake early on - I guess it's a bit like getting ill the minute you go on holiday because you've stopped the stress of work. However, not all of them keel over - we've rescued 10 ex-batts so far at different times and 7 are still going strong. 3 of those have been here well over a year now.

 

Even if they have only a short time, it's a much better life than they've ever known so every minute is worthwhile. Our Lucy only had 2 months with us but at least she felt the sun on her back and enjoyed a good few dust baths in that time.

 

I'm pleased you're carrying on. It's worthwhile and very rewarding to see them recover and develop little personalities.

[sandyhas3chucks]

yeh... & get spoilt & loved for however long we have them

[HENthusiastic]

I just read an old post that says with ex batts its a good strategy to expect the worse and hope for the best

[Egluntyne]

It is impossible to say really.

 

Experiences vary so widely.

 

I have had mine since April and they have gone from strength to strength, a friend rescued 4 a couple of years ago, and one died overnight and one a fortnight later, but the other 2 are going strong and she has since rescued more.

 

It really is the luck of the draw.

[Plum]

Admire you for doing it Henthusiastic. Its quality not quantity of life you give them. Doesn't make it any easier for you when you are attached.

[Dodge]

We rescued 4 ex batts in January this year. Since then we have lost 3 of them . It is very upsetting when they do keel over because they have had such a hard life, sometimes it just proves too much for them to cope.

 

The important thing to remember is that in the short time that they have been rescued, that they have felt the sun on their backs and have been able to scratch around and do all the normal things that a chicken should be able to do.

 

We have now rescued a couple of freerange EOL girls, and they are all doing great.

There is no feeling in the world like when you see your girls enjoying their freedom and developing their own little characters.

 

It is very satisfiying to see your girls enjoying their retirement, no matter how long that retirement may last.

 

Regards

 

Dodge

[Tiggy]

a fox killed 3 of my 4 exbats earlier this year, but Saffy is still going strong she is a real little character lays most days & keeps her omlet freinds in order

[HENthusiastic]

I'm back off to the vets on Thursday with her. If we loose her that will mean we've lost 2/3 in 7 months.

I know rescuing is a good thing to do. But its too painful

[mostin]

I hope all goes well at the vets, it must be so hard to get attached and then see them go . You have done a wonderful and brave thing by giving them the life of a real chicken, even for a short time. xxxx, big hugs xxxx

[Lydia]

Best of luck at the vets. Do report back.

[Plum]

Be brave. We are holding your hands. xxx

[HENthusiastic]

Thanks for being there for me guys.

 

for us at 2.30pm.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

You'll be at the vets by now . Fingers crossed for you . Let us know how you get on.

[HENthusiastic]

H

Matilda is back in her coop with her friends having had some injections and some medicine. I've put a full report in chicken clinic titled 'she's just not right'.

 

My new and postive view on battery hens is

you love them with all your heart ........ when they go you cry with all your heart............ then in time you just feel pleased for what you gave them.

Did I ever say it was too hard???? Shame on me.

Thanks guys, felt you with me all the way.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Great news .

[Dharma chick]

Glad that Matilda got on ok with the vet

 

I rescued eight ex-bats in march. They were in very poor condition when we got them and sadly we lost Blossom after five weeks - however she did have a lovely although very short life with us.

 

Myrtle has been very poorly ever since we had her and for the first six weeks she was always up the vet so we made the descion to let her have sleepovers with us in the evening and she returns to the flook first thing. A couple of the others have been ill and my nursing skills have come in very useful! It has been very hard at times, however i don't regret having them and i have fallen in love with their courage and will to survive

 

My sense is that these are special chickens and some of them need lots of love and care. I also use homeopathy with the girls which seem to work well. I must admit i do spoil them every morning they have a porridge of layers mash and warm water to set them up for the day and before they go bed.

 

Carry on with the good work. I know its hard at times but i can never forgot the first time that they lay in the sun or eat their first worm -its awe inspiring