TAJ Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 (edited) Edit - new video on page 3 - 2 months on. 26th Feb 2012 I am collecting 4 rescued hens this Thursday from Bristol - anyone else getting some at the ssame time? Despite my current 16 chickens I have never had rescued hens before and having an empty eglu I couldn't say no! Tracy Edited February 26, 2012 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 fabulous!! look forward to the pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 You won't regret it. They are so affectionate and funny and make you feel so proud as they have been through such a lot and yet are so amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 OOooo, how eggciting. Look forward to seeing them tomorrow. I hope the weather is not too horrible for you tomorrow too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 4, 2012 Author Share Posted January 4, 2012 OOooo, how eggciting.Look forward to seeing them tomorrow. I hope the weather is not too horrible for you tomorrow too. I hope it isn't too far for them from the farm, as it will be pretty windy on the back of a trailer - but then into my car and a nice sheltered Eglu. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 5, 2012 Author Share Posted January 5, 2012 They are safley in the Eglu for the night - will take photos in the morning. They are rather short on feathers - one is an 'oven ready' with no feathers on her back at all. I put them in the Eglu and sprinkled some mash in the doorway before going back to work for 3 hours. I came back and all that mash was gone. Tonight I have taken them out of Eglu one at a time and put them in the run end and dipped each ones beak in the water (as I do with day old chicks) to encourage them to drink, so I now know they have all had a drink & eaten - they then all took themselves back to the Eglu so know where bed is as well - cleever little girls. Their combs were almost white they were so pale, but even in 5 hours of being here they are getting pinker. Brave little girls! Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissMoo Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 You won't regret it. They are so affectionate and funny and make you feel so proud as they have been through such a lot and yet are so amazing. This is so very true, I rescued some ex batts 3 weeks ago, and they are so funny Well done for rescuing them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share Posted January 6, 2012 They all survived a frosty night and came out to eat and drink when I opened the Eglu at 7am - by 7.30 this morning I had 4 large brown eggs , only one was laid in the run, clever little girlies I cannot believe how their combs are less floppy and redder so quickly I promise to get the camera out when it is fully light - I may even get as far as a You Tube video if you are luck. ...still considering names, my daughter has 24hrs and if not named I will do it. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubababe Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Yay way to go ladies. It must be such a wonderful experience knowing you have given them a 'life'. Well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share Posted January 6, 2012 I do apologies for only having photo links - I can never get the size correct - so if anyone can add any of these in for me feel free to do so! http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii49/TAJchicks/P1000483.jpg 1st morning photo shoot http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii49/TAJchicks/P1000484.jpg http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii49/TAJchicks/P1000488.jpg Out and about (I just shut them out in run for photos) This one is pretty well feathered, but look at that trimmed beak http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii49/TAJchicks/P1000490.jpg ..This one is a bit short on the feather front - her back is bare http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii49/TAJchicks/P1000494.jpg Finding food & water http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii49/TAJchicks/P1000492.jpg All four waiting to be let back in! (then they were all back eating when I let them in) http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii49/TAJchicks/P1000495.jpg Plus there eggs - so big for these little darlings. http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii49/TAJchicks/P1000496.jpg Apart from feathers they do look pretty healthy and are learning quickly. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 They look lovely well done for giving them a home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazzy73 Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 wow lovley piccys and they look so happy,love the picture of all four in the run and the one looking from under the perch really made me chuckle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Aww, well done for rehoming them! Do you know which system they were from - old battery, new enriched, barn, FR etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share Posted January 6, 2012 Aww, well done for rehoming them! Do you know which system they were from - old battery, new enriched, barn, FR etc? I was told before Christmas they were the last of the old battery - I didn't check on the day. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 They look lovely and look like they are enjoying their new found freedom. Well done for giving them a lovely home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share Posted January 6, 2012 Here is the video link: Not well edited, but stick with it! As well as my commentary you will hear wild birds, my cockerels and the cat. You will see the early apprehension over feeders/water containers, then more confidence. Also a bit of my other hens in the garden. Enjoy! Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Love the video. It's brill. I thought one of them sounded like it was trying to sing some of the theme tune from Ivor the Engine. Very sweet. Showing my age now though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Brilliant Love it & all your hens. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Aw they are so innocent, lucky girls coming to your flock. Golly what a flock you have, quite a mix love the goldtop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share Posted January 6, 2012 , quite a mix love the goldtop Who do you mean? Mr Silkie 2, or the homebreed crosses (mum Bantie Plymouth Rock & dad = Mr Silkie 1) - there are 5 of those girls - I just love their hair do and feathery legs! Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 They all look quite perky Tracy, enjoy them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 , quite a mix love the goldtop Who do you mean? Mr Silkie 2, or the homebreed crosses (mum Bantie Plymouth Rock & dad = Mr Silkie 1) - there are 5 of those girls - I just love their hair do and feathery legs! Tracy Buff girls with quiff so must be your homebreed crosses. lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share Posted January 6, 2012 Buff girls with quiff so must be your homebreed crosses. lovely Yes they were all from the same hatch - I do love the 5 of them - they have all the silkie features of comb, extra toe and feathered legs, some also have the black skin, however they all have the colour and 'normal' feathers of their mum. I think they do not look like other breeds that exist p prehaps I should hatch some more Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 Another 4 eggs this morning! They obviously are enjoying freedom and the journey hasn't upset them too much. (I hope my 14 pure breeds hens who haven't laid for a week our listening!) Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Lovely girls. looking ofrward to seeing more photos as they re-feather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
