zakjon-98 Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 She's lovely I would love ex-batts one day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted September 13, 2011 Author Share Posted September 13, 2011 Another video - taken when I got home from work: And some slightly better quality photos I'm so surprised at how tame she is already, I didn't even have any food on me and she hopped up on my lap, and then my shoulder, and then later on she hopped on my OH's back when he was trying to clear up the mess she'd made stomping in the cat bowls! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Potts Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 She looks lovely, Squiffs, in very good fettle. She looks very similar to our ex-battery hens and if so, she'll be a very good companion. (I always have my fingers crossed for chickens of fate whilst daughter is always praying for kittens/puppies/rabbits/dogs/cats of fate ... anything four legged that's a bit more lively than Buster, her hamster). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted September 13, 2011 Author Share Posted September 13, 2011 Thank you! I always thought the idea of an animal of fate very strange, what were the chances, etc. I'm willing to bet if I hadn't started keeping chickens, this little one would never have turned up on my driveway (that I'd have noticed). Strange how these things happen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken shack Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 She is now on your avatar. Your other girls will be getting jealous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Well, she looks used to people, I'd say you're both very lucky Your OH is being preened in one of those photos - I think she's taken to you both! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 She's certainly made herself at home! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 She is now on your avatar. Your other girls will be getting jealous. it's the best disgruntled chicken picture I've ever seen, so I couldn't not use it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 Yes I'm shocked at how calm she is around us, I definitely wasn't expecting her to start jumping up at us etc. Her favourite pasttimes at the moment are staring into the washing machine, and pecking her reflection on our bin. She's not too bothered by our presence, but doesn't like being held or caught, however if she's set on charging into the kitchen, she doesn't care if there are feet, hands, a cat, anything in the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Just look at that cheeky face! What a great update . She looks very well pleased with her new home and is obviously settling in nicely. None of mine have ever liked being held or picked up, and only Daisy would sit on my knee for a chat, so it sounds like Xena's a very typical ex-batt who's definitely found herself her little piece of paradise and there's nothing quite like an ex-batt for wheedling her way into your heart. Still waiting for my chicken of fate, but both Puddy and Tozi were cats of fate (wandered in from the garden at various times) so maybe I've had my share ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Blimey that is a floppy comb - why is that ? My new hen not an exbat has a pale comb and wattle compared to my other 2 and I told OH she wouldnt be laying yet - only to find she laid on the first day. What do I know? Nowt How many Omleteers have had "chcikens of fate?" - be intersting to know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Battery farms are very hot with all those little bodies packed in, so the combs get huge to try to lose heat and then flop over. My Alice's comb had flopped completely over her left eye, so she couldn't even see out of it when she arrived It will soon shrink and go red and come upright though - Alice's comb is now upright, but still leans a little to the left. It was really great to watch her discover the world through two eyes ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Thanks for that - have you got a battery farm near you Squiffs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Little poppet. She has a very upright tail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 She looks pretty healthy to me - they do lay soft eggs every now and again but she will probably lay a good one too. Everything just gets a bit worn out Rub some arnica gel on her legs and feet (as long as cuts are healed over) - it works wonders Well done for keeping her Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Alis girls ..I have not got a chicken of fate , but would love one to stray into my garden . My garden is small and my OH is in denial about having more chickens , 3 being enough (he is right of course ).. but if there was a chicken of fate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 Thanks for that - have you got a battery farm near you Squiffs? Do you know, I've never checked - I shall have a ferret around and see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 Arnica gel will now be on my shopping list, thanks for the tip scarlett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 She looks like a real character. What a lovely face and brill photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 Thanks! I had to delete a LOT of old pictures from my phone, I just couldn't stop, she's so funny and inquisitive. Her obsession with her bin reflection is very very amusing, a quite bokbokbok followed by a loud DING! When she gives the strange wobbly chicken a peck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Great pics She looks lovely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 Xena has received the all-clear from the vets - she is a 'very very recent ex-batt', had a broken wing a while ago but that's healed, did a bunch of checks and said she seems perfectly healthy and the cuts to her feet have healed beautifully! I also gave her a mite and lice powder massage last night, so she's ready to start settling in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Thats great news squiffs! I bet she thinks shes died and gone to heaven, i hope the intros go well. Thanks for sharing it all with us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 She looks gorgeous - well done you, I expect you are going to have a lot of fun with her Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 She wasn't eating her layers pellet ration as much as we'd like her to yesterday so I crumbled some homemade bread and she loved pecking that up - we've since sourced a bag of layers mash for her and she's liking that a lot I have a question though - we've bought a rabbit hutch with run attached for her to stay in during intros - the vet has said she's healthy, and she's very strong on her legs, so my OH is desperate to let her start seeing the other chickens - I'm unsure just yet, because of quarantining. I'm sure the vet knows her stuff, she's a dedicated poultry vet, however, may there be some issues which wouldn't present straight away? Do we need to keep her away a bit longer before starting the slow intro process? We can house her either way, but I guess I don't like restricting her time out of the coop and by association restricting my time supervising the others to free range. What would the wise omleteers do? My OH reckons she's got all the makings of a top chook in the pecking order, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
