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

[amateurkeeper]

....we collected our ex-batts from the BHWT.

 

We went around 2pm to Jo Parker & Friends just outside of Kings Lynn, and they were lovely. We collected our 3 hens and made our way back home to their new hen house and fenced-off bit of garden. We put them straight in the house and there they stayed for a while. We did take them out briefly to clip their wings, but they went straight back in. The other chickens knew there was something going on, and they haven't stopped squawking since!! They share a fence with the new ladies, so you can imagine the looks/noises they are getting - the ex-batts just ignore them!

 

The new hens have since ventured out, and are now exploring their new home, stretching their little legs and having a flap every now and again. They seem happy enough - we've given them extra food and water bowls, and they've even had some mealworms I've just put some cut tomatos, cucumber and courgette in there too in a little tub but they haven't found it yet.

 

With regard to names - one has a bald bum so has been (ever so originally ) named "Baldy Bum", one hs a bald neck so we've called her "Trigger" after one of the vultures from Robin Hood and we're yet to think of a name for the 3rd - maybe Del Boy or Rodney???

 

Pics will follow (damn camera battery is flat again) just wanted to share that the girls we "rescued" are doing well so far and that we're very pleased we were able to give them a happy life here

Edited August 21, 2010 by Guest

[Mollie333]

Well done you!

Sure you will be happy with them! Will watch this space for photos

[Plum]

Congratulations on the rescue.

[chicken bark]

As I have said on another thread today - well done for giving these hens a home they deserve.

 

BTW I have 3 chicks called Della (Delboy), Rosie (Rodney) and Marlene. Incidentally the original Della actually turned out to be a Delboy!

 

If you don't mind I'll refer to Baldy-bum as BB.

[amateurkeeper]

Hehe we've actually re-named - My sister informed me that there are 2 in Robin Hood so they are Nutsy, Trigger and Rodney! (Other half moaned cause they a boy names but I like being different )

 

We've just had to rescue them from the downpour!! Went outside while it was hammering down with rain and put them in their house, they were soaked through bless 'em - just sitting there in the rain, broke my heart

[majuka]

Congratulations on your new arrivals!

[Purplemaniacs]

Well done. Look forward to seeing some photos.

 

Chrissie

[the-real-tinkerbell]

thats wonderfull hunny ,ive not had to clip the wings on my new girls as they dont have any flight feathers lol bless them but they seam to be settleing in well.

 

and i have a wonderfull warm feeling knowing that they are going to get to chill out for the rest of thier lives

[amateurkeeper]

Ok some photos for you all (Because I know you all love them..... )

 

Nusty & Rodney getting to know the neighbours while Trigger has a clean

 

All 3 ladies roaming around while Ruby looks on!

[beach chick]

oh bless them, they look so scraggy. sure they will look completely different in just a week though!! well done you.

[majuka]

Bless, they are lovely!

[LuckyChickenLover-]

Awww Well done you for rescuing them .

[amateurkeeper]

Thank you We've just been out to check on them now that it's dark, and they've found their way back into their coop - clever chickens!!

[hippy chick]

Well done for rescuing them

Seeing newly rescued girls never fails to bring tears to my eyes Thank god these lovely ladies will not be chicken soup

[Alis girls]

I feel I want to knit them a jacket - hopefully they will have more feathers before winter. How do you keep ex batts warm out of interest? poor little things - i will be interested to see thier progress in future weeks well done you

[amateurkeeper]

Believe it or not when I pick them up they feel warmer through their bare skin than through their feathers! I guess that's where they loose their heat. We're not too worried about them getting cold at the moment (so humid in our area) but they do tend to huddle up together, and they have plenty of woodshavings in the coop to help keep them warm

 

But yes, if it was winter I'd be getting them some little jackets

[chick wiggle]

Awww bless their hearts Well done you for saving them Cant wait to see their progress pics

[Plum]

Lucky hens, will be interesting to see how they change

[Marky D]

Wow, thats what ex-batts look like, poor little devils, certainly looks like they'll be well looked after now, well done you.

Feel guilty now for buying pure breeds from a farm

[Alis girls]

Stoopid question - can you get jackets for ex bats or do you cut the sleeves off a jumper or something. just interested thats all. Also are they likely to lay or are they "layed out" sorry interested for the future.

[amateurkeeper]

Alis Girls - I can't find anywhere that sells them after a quick google, but I have found a couple of sites with instructions/patterns for you to knit your own!! A couple of links for you:

 

http://littlehenrescue.co.uk/jumpers.aspx

 

http://tarviragusknits.blogspot.com/2009/03/battery-chicken-jacket.html

 

It would seem there are alot of kind people out there who knit a whole load of jumpers to send to the ex-batt charities. Makes you feel all warm inside (no pun intended!)

[amateurkeeper]

Wow, thats what ex-batts look like, poor little devils, certainly looks like they'll be well looked after now, well done you.

Feel guilty now for buying pure breeds from a farm

 

Don't feel guilty - every chicken deserves a good life, whether it's a pure breed or an ex-batt. We have 2 light sussex and 2 hybrid hens we bought from a farm, plus 3 orpington chicks so not 100% saintly

[scarlettohara]

They are lovely and will be very happy I'm sure, I have just applied to get mine and can't wait now

[jellykelly]

Well done you and bless their little hearts.

 

I will say that jumpers are actually not advised for ex batts. I know there were articles in the news recently, but they're not good for feather regrowth and they can also overheat as they have a higher body temperature then us.

 

I rescued mine in january right in the middle of the snow. They then had the snow in february and the minus temperatures but did just fine too. I think insulating the house with snug bedding is better then insulating and overheating the hen.

[amateurkeeper]

Well done you and bless their little hearts.

 

I will say that jumpers are actually not advised for ex batts. I know there were articles in the news recently, but they're not good for feather regrowth and they can also overheat as they have a higher body temperature then us.

 

I rescued mine in january right in the middle of the snow. They then had the snow in february and the minus temperatures but did just fine too. I think insulating the house with snug bedding is better then insulating and overheating the hen.

 

Thanks for that JellyKelly - I wouldn't use them myself as I can see it being a right faff to get them on/off!!

 

Also, quick update - one just dropped an egg as it was walking around the pen Plus we've had some fighting throught the fence with Murray (red hybrid). Managed to get him away but the poor ex-batt has a bit of a nick just above it's beak, so the other half and I are going to get some purple spray - and some leg rings so we can tell them apart!!