Chicken bald back

[BeckyBoo]

Well, as barn dancers they were going to be called barn dancer type names, but the children had other ideas, so we have Miley, Lilly, Dolly Duke and George (small boys idea )

 

They came out of their barn this morning and I was told they could be in better condition than our old ex-batts. Well, they're not. They're in terrible condition. I don't know how a farmer can face the "rescuers" and not hang his head in shame. Bald, terrified, enormous overgrown combs that flop to one side. But anyway, they're here now and as there are apparently an extra 100 that don't have homes yet I'm thinking of going back for 2 more.

 

They're still out even though it's dark but as they're actively eating and drinking and seemed very hungry I'm giving them an extra half hour before I put them away - they'll bnot be used to evenings and dark from the barns I guess. They're already been eating corn, found the mash and the water and stared incredulously at an overhead plane! George also turns out to be the gobby one and shouted relentlessly at my poor cat, who is SO used to being treated with contempt by the hens that he looked very confused!!

 

Here's Lilly - first out, first making a mess with the mash!

 

Here's George - the gobby one!

 

And four featherless bottoms!

 

Miley actually looks quite young as she has a very small comb and Dolly is well feathered and also looks in quite good condition and younger than the first two.

 

We're SO happy to have them!!

 

BeckyBoo

[Ness3103]

awww bless them, it must be so confusing and scary for them. well done for rescuing them

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Well I can't tell the difference between a battery hen and a barn one either

 

Good on you Becky...if I had a spare house I'd come along with you & get some too

 

I hope these newbies distract you and your little one from your poorly bugs & you get well soon

 

{{{hugs}}} to you all.and the bemused pusscat !!

 

Sha x

[Kit]

Well done Becky and I'm glad that you posted these pics...just proves barn hens are living in conditions no better than battery hens

[Leicester_H]

Well done for rescuing them. They should recover nicely in your care.

 

Did you get an extra eglu escpecially for them ??!!

I thought that you were waiting for spring - or am I confusing you with someone else ??

 

ENJOY, H

[Falkor]

Good on you Becky...if I had a spare house I'd come along with you & get some too

 

Sha x

 

What about the little wooden number!?

 

Well done Becky!! They are lucky lucky hens!

[BeckyBoo]

Lydia very kindly leant us a green Eglu so they're starting life in comfort! As we have clear skies here and two are particularly bald I've shut but not locked the door shut. They took themselves to bed all on their own which I was very impressed with

 

BeckyBoo

[coco]

Well done for rescuing them. At least they have a good home now and will get lots of TLC

[docsquid]

Oh bless the poor little things! At least now they will get love and care. Fantastic that you could help these little hens.

[Tutti Frutti]

Ooh Becky, well done you. I'm just shocked at their condition. Nope, I can't tell them apart from ex-Batts either

 

Becky, do you mind if I ask where did you get them from? We're not far from you and would love to get 2 (or 3!!) asap, as it's now been 8 days since our Penny died and we don't want the two hooligans to get used to being a pair!!! And I've nearly finished knitting my first CardigHen in preparation!

 

Thank you

Edited November 15, 2009 by Guest

[Space Chick]

They will soon settle in and get into good condition.

 

I was appalled when I found out that the barn hens are allowed a stocking density of 9 hens per 1 metre squared. Particularly when the advice we share on the forum is 1 metre squared per hen

[Lewis]

Well done for rescuing them

 

I'm sure they'll have much better lives with you!

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

Well thanks for the education Becky Boo & Space Chick. We used to buy barn eggs when we couldn't get free-range before we had chickens because we thought they had a better quality lif

 

Well done for rescuing them.

[BeckyBoo]

Well thanks for the education Becky Boo & Space Chick. We used to buy barn eggs when we couldn't get free-range before we had chickens because we thought they had a better quality lif

 

Well done for rescuing them.

 

 

Yes I didn't expect them to look quite this bad either. I always thought of barn as better than cage and I suppose it kind of is, but they've still never seen daylight, which I knew, I just didn't expect them to be so bald!

 

And Tutti Frutti (love the name btw) they're through the Battery Hen Welfare Trust. I can pm you the lady's e mail address if you like - they had 150 left over as the farmer sprung an extra 100 on them at no notice and of course they just took them. I picked them up from just outside Guildford

 

BeckyBoo

[Tutti Frutti]

And Tutti Frutti (love the name btw)

 

Why thanks Can you tell, I love the sweets - although I may be showing my age here as I don't know if you can still get them!

 

I can pm you the lady's e mail address if you like

 

Ooh yes please!!! Frantically knitting here

[BeckyBoo]

pm sent Tutti Frutti!

 

BeckyBoo

[Chicken Shirl]

Just back from my wanderings in England and checking you all out. I am flabbergasted that Barn hens should be in such an awful state.

 

Well done for saving them, I hope you get the others soon. I am wishing that we had a system here in Tenerife to rescue hens. I must look into what happens to the poor darlings.

 

xx

[Valkyrie]

I agree with Chicken Shirl - had to show OH the photos. Disgraceful way to treat animals. Now I am cross (really, biting tongue cross).

So glad you rescued them.

[Barkisland]

Oh, the poor, sweet things! So happy you have given them a lovely new home

They will come on in leaps and bounds now.

[Egluntyne]

Well done for rescuing them.

 

They are in far worse condition than my recent 4 rescued battery girls, which is a surprise.

 

They will thrive with you in charge.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Congratulations and well done . Poor girls, I'm sure they'll thrive under your tlc .

[Lavenders_Blue]

Well I am not surprised that barn hens come out in poor condition, but your photos really have me shocked.

 

Your poor girls are in FAR worse condition than my batties were when they were rescued. At least with your love and care they will lead a happy life from now on. Well done you for giving these lovely girls a second chance.

[sandyhas3chucks]

sorry to shock you all some more but some FREERANGE are coming out looking like this and worse.

It all just beggars belief!

Becki, did you get from Tracy?

Well done, maybe I can visit you next weekend?

[sparkysmum]

Becky, I'm shocked too and feeling dreadful now as I have on occassion bought Willow Farm chickens from T****'s. I genuinely thought that barn chickens were well looked after and that pecking etc wasn't an issue. How wrong could I be

 

Thank you so much for taking them, I'm sure they will blossom now.

[Chook n Boo Mum]

You & me both A when no FR available ...never again, FR or none from here on..........

 

Sha x