Cate in NZ Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 I've had a very busy weekend this weekend with BHWT rescues, and all the straggly hens really pull at my heartstrings. I'm such a softie Today we had some really excellent hens in great condition, not even debeaked and with lots of feathers, big girls too. But there were 2, who tucked themselves away in a corner, one was quite huddled and hunched and her mate had a protective wing around her . Honest, I even took a photo of them like that, it was such a lovely sight. Immie kept going back to check on them, but they hardly seemed to move all afternoon. So, at the end of the day there were about 10 hens left over. Sophie managed to persuade her Mum that they really needed another couple of hens with Jean's help and some ridiculously funny exploding hens tale, Fliss (another helper) got her arm ever so gently twisted and took 3 home. Well, faced with that kind of example I couldn't let the side down, so somehow the hunched hen and her caring friend found their way into a big cardboard box which is currently on my dining table I'm a little worried about hunched hen, I think she'll need some TLC, but her friend is in fabulous condition. They're going to be Edie (Edam) - that's hunched hen, and Red (Red Leicester) Had to stick with the cheese theme after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 Sounds great Kate. Congrats on the new arrivals! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 Oh well done Kate! I'm sure they will be fine with you. Great news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 Kate you are such a softy! Well done to you though - I feel really guilty now that I rejected Mike's suggestion that we take another one.... I also felt that bad that I let Layla choose all 3 - I should have made sure we picked one of the more featherless ones. But, most were in good condition, considering, weren't they? Will have a good look at ours tomorrow when its light. We were a bit worried about Cilla as she just sat down when we put her in with the others and she was very quiet on the way home. She soon perked up, but when we checked them before L went to bed she was already snuggling in one of the nest boxes, even though the torch was still on. AND - there was no poo in the boxes when we got them home! Phew no smells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 Well done....you'll be needing the Eglu Cube soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 Oh that made me go all wibbly Do we get to see the pic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 Oh Kate, that did make me laugh! You're so kind to take in Edie and Red as well as helping out with the rescues - fantastic work! Welcome to the newbies and our fingers are crossed here that Edie starts to feel a bit better soon. Sue & Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Congratulations Kate - what a thoughtful act. They will receive plenty of TLC and soon be in the best of health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted March 12, 2007 Author Share Posted March 12, 2007 Thanks for all the lovely comments. Oh that made me go all wibblyDo we get to see the pic? I'll definitely post the pics this evening, no time this morning. I've popped the new girls into the orange eglu this morning (they stayed in a cardboard box last night, to dark when we got home to start organising eglus for unexpected guests), and they're looking a bit bemused but scratching around and have worked out the peanuts. What a din from the big girls though, they're charging around the green eglu shouting out all sorts of chickeny threats. Just wait until they're let out to free range later, what's the betting they'll be like little sharks circling their victims Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted March 12, 2007 Author Share Posted March 12, 2007 Just thought I'd add a pic of my hugging hens at the rescue. Red is the hen with her wing protectively covering Edie (with her head down) Aren't they sweet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Aw that's so cute, Kate, no wonder you couldn't bear for them to be separated!! Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 They look in pretty good condition compared to the normal lot of Battery Hens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 No wonder you couldn't resist - they are sooo cute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harveypup Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Bless. What lucky chooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine C Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Lovely picture. Hopefully Red will protect Edie from the chookie 'sharks' E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Fantastic news and congratulations on the new additions - they look wonderful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Ahh! How lovely! Lucky you Kate - what a sweet pair they must be! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 They look lovely - well done Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Well done Kate How are they doing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Are they still cuddling? Or are they fighting like my lot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted March 13, 2007 Author Share Posted March 13, 2007 Fingers very tightly crossed as I reply to this , but so far, so good. Red is still being very caring around Edie, Edie is still not 100%, she's a little hunched and lethargic, but she's improving, is eating and drinking, and is beginning to scratch and dustbathe . The others are ignoring them after the initial hollering, and treat them with disdain. Roll on both groups free ranging together Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Kate - how long will you give it before you put them together? I am dreading going through the pecking order thing all over again. Didn't get it with the first 2. I was thinking of keeping them all apart until there chests are nicely feathered or is that too long (how long does it take to re-grow feathers?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted March 13, 2007 Author Share Posted March 13, 2007 I think the regrowing feathers depends a lot on the individual hens. Trying to remember back to my first lot of ex-batts we got them in May. Cam was probably fully feathered by July-ish, Tilly took ages to grow hers and I think we were well into Autumn before she was well covered, I remember worrying about her as the colder weather was just beginning to bite. Of course they were both eating the same and so on, so it was an individual hen thing. If I feel that Edie is strong enough, I'll let them out of their eglu run on Saturday when I'll be around working in the garden all day to supervise them. We're lucky in that my garden's fairly big, so then can all escape from each other and unfortunately I want to integrate them fairly quickly because I've got a holiday coming up . My MIL is moving in for chicken and cat duties, but I don't want her caring for sick hens or breaking up fights, so hopefully we'll manage the integration soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolinep Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 What lucky girls But does your MIL know about the newbies, Will it be or or Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
