Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[dancing cloud]

Well done you!

 

It sounds exhausting and emotionally draining, but the very good new is that there are 2500 hens enjoying the sunshine today thanks to all of your efforts (including your own 2 soon-to-be-very-spoiled little girls!)

[Ms Marple]

Hello Mrs Allen. I collected my hens from just into Derbyshire on Sat, from Bugsworth near New Mills to be precise. The lady I collected from must have been working with you too. Her name was Mary!!

[poachedegg]

Well done mrsallen08, sounds like you did a fantastic job!

[tara]

Hi Everyone!

 

What a weekend! Thought I would give an update of what and how it all happened on Saturday!

 

We had to meet at the battery farm for 7.30am! Yes thats early. I am not allowed to go into details about the farm or where it is but you would never know from the road or nearby village that this was a battery farm. And the most amazing thing when you arrive, you can't hear any chickens. Not one.

 

There were volunteers from all over the country and the 2500 hens we rescued would be rehomed from Durham to Poole, Cardiff to Norfolk and everywhere in the middle! We were all briefed on what jobs we would like to do or not do. I was a runner, which meant when the hens were taken out of the cages I had to take them to the end of the 'aisle' where they were passed to be put in the crates. Sounds simple, but the fastest way to hold these birds is upside down. So the 'farmer' holds them by the feet and usually they just hang but somtimes, the more flighty ones will roll up and peck your hands. Sounds awful but apparently this is common practice in 'farming. Also they were only like this for 30-40 seconds before they were shown to the vet and put in the cages. It is a very fast process and the stronger could hold 4 hens at a time like this. Any poorly hens and a few cockerels we discovered were separated. The sick birds go to a rehomers home and given a lot of TLC and an expert eye before they can be rehomed on. There were 3-4 cockerels that we discovered, and there was all ready some rehomers that had said they would be happy to keep a cockerel!

 

 

Once they were in the crates they were carried down to where the vans would be loaded later. All hens were packed but left outside so that they would no overheat in the vans.

 

 

The way the vans are loaded is by who has the furthest to travel from the farm, they go first. etc etc. Hens are loaded in the back and then off to the local coordinator.

 

I was acting as a local coordinator too so when we loaded our van we went to our home where the rehomers were collecting from. We took 104 hens home and I am pleased/relieved that all were collected and rehomed with no problems. We have kept 2 extra hens too to increase our flock!

 

It is not nice visiting the farm but I know we will be back on the next rescue. Despite all the horrible things you see, when you know where the hens will end their day it makes all the difference.

 

http://www.henrehomers.net

 

 

Im waiting to hear if im a coordinator as yet for the bhwt so fingers crossed

Congratulations on getting that many out at once and for your brilliant work

[chick wiggle]

Fantastic! Hard work though, Well done

[Lewis]

Well done

 

I've emailed henrehomers about helping out collecting hens from the farms and clipping claws etc and not had a reply, BHWT don't need my help either :

 

Anyone local to Brum who needs volunteers to help with re-homing hens you know where to ask

[Kit]

Well done and thanks to all your hard work there will be lots of girls enjoying the sun with lots of fresh air.

 

Can just picture their happy faces!

 

Kit

[MedusA]

Thanks for the update. Well done for all your hard work and that of all the other volunteers and recipients.

[mrsallen08]

Awww thanks guys!

 

Still boring everyone I meet with the rescue news!

 

The next rescue is September and I will definately be on it again.

 

To those who have applied as a volunteer, you may not hear back immediately as everyone who works for henrehomers is a volunteer so may be a little busy but don't worry you will be contacted. The next rescue is September so just wait till nearer the time.

[sandyhas3chucks]

All sounds VERY organised.

Am impressed...

well done you I know how much hard work it has taken.