Leanne Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 finally, after months of wanting and waiting, we collected our 3 rescue ex-bettery hens earlier. this was co ordinated by the BHWT and the RSPCA in Dorset. the rescue took place yesterday and they went to an RSPCA shelter overnight, we picked them up late this morning. they are poor little things, but i have high hopes and wishes that they'll all be ok. they are bigger than i expected and not as skinny, so i hope that'll go in their favour. they are all eating and pecking grass, but are very shy and jumpy. I will post photos soon but I dont want to upset them with a flashgun yet. All have semi bare breasts, a few peck injuries, one has a cropped beak, another a slightly twisted foot. all have shockingly tatty feathers although they are better covered with feathers than some there were. We have called them Libby, Shelley and Freda. It will be a while before they integrate with my other hens, once they are well and strong and have been treated for lice/mites etc. having seen these poor creatures, we are determined to give them a happy life from this point on and we are already planning to expand our little flock again and add a few more rescued birds in the near-ish future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqualiv Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 Well done you! I got my two ex battery hens on wednesday, and they are doing very well Olivia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 Well done you for rescuing those poor chickens, I,m sure they will soon be healthy in no time. I have a rablu no chickens, but am doing lots of homework as Iam considering getting some next spring! Would you recomend rescue chickens to a beginer? Is there a rescue centre in Cornwall? Any advise would be helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqualiv Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 I'm a complete beginner and I've got rescue hens. I got mine from a lady in Chard, Somerset. She has more, so let me know if you want her details. Olivia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 Leanne, congratulations on your new additions you must be really pleased! Glad to hear they are doing ok and appear to have settled quite well considering their last couple of days. Do keep us posted on how they are getting along! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 Congratulations on your new arrivals. I hope they settle in well. I'd like to rescue some-but we'd have no garden left with more hens. Do keep us updated and good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 Congratulations Leanne. It won't be long before they look as happy and healthy as your other girls. A little TLC works wonders for these poor ex-battery dears and you'll get so much pleasure watching them become healthy and strong. Good luck with them . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Fantastic Leanne they will soon settle in and realise what chickens are supposed to do karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leanne Posted October 23, 2006 Author Share Posted October 23, 2006 thanks everyone! i am very pleased with them today, already they look so much better than they did yesterday when they were stressed and bedraggled from the rain. a good nights sleep, a good feed, and a bit of preening when they dried off and they look so much better! they have got colour back in their combs, and have been scratching around in the run. they do have some bare patches, but some arent visible as they are hidden by other feathers. only a few areas look a bit sore, and i dont think it will take long for them to heal. I havent seen anything to really worry about. Shelley has a limp wing and Libby has a slightly twisted foot and doesnt put it down much. However she can, and when she does, she walks without problems on it, I am hoping the wing and the foot will improve as they get stronger and their muscles improve. (you can see these in the photos) They took a while to roost last night, hovering near the door of the eglu and peeping inside, but not going in for ages. I think all in all, these hens have been luckier than some in cages, i have seen photos of hens in much worse states, and it shouldnt take long to restore their full health. Once we've done that we are going to take on a few more! heres a few photos, the last one shows Dolly checking out the new girls. it wont be long before they look as good as she does! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Fantastic! Congratulations. They look like they are going to be fine hens! Lucky ladies to have such a great home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Leanne, those photos really brought a tear to my eye - your lucky girls in their eglu!!! They look great & I bet it will be no time at all until they are looking as healthy as your other hens Well done for taking them on - I am so squeamish that I am sure I could never do it, but think anyone who can is fab Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Leanne they look so at home in their eglu & run, you are obviously looking after them very well. Do keep us up to speed on their path back to being healthy, happy hens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamsin Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 What a lovely home these hens have found,Well done they do look happy in their eglu,with a bit of TLC they will look even more great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Cooks Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 I also had a tear in my eye. But these girls have landed with their bums in the butter...........well done you for taking them in. Please post some more photo's of their progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
