cd8jbr Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 A year ago tomorrow I was looking forward to getting my ex-batts and never having never had chickens before I was a little unsure of myself but I'd bought an eglu classic and WIR from an omlet seller who'd had 4 chickens in it, had got a supply of ex-batt food and was all ready to go. I went and collected my ex-batts all of whom are so small compared with my neighbours hens which is just as well as I was assured that 5 would be ''just fine in there'' as they had been given a number of additional hens and were trying to persuade people to take an extra one or two. Who was I to say no?! Well, despite one of the hens having a huge (about 1/2 an inch long) lump on her head near her eye which pulled her eyelid out of shape and prevented her from looking forward they weren't too bad - just baldy and with the usual long claws, mis-shaped beaks, weak legs and total lack of knowledge about the world around them but somehow we've made it together all of us through their first year of freedom. Even Dumpling, who had the huge lump on her head, is amazing now, I'd arranged for her to go to have it removed so she could use the eye when it started to disappear!!! I think it was stress that did it because there is now a very small lump on her head where the skin was stretched but she can see properly now and is a beautiful hen - as are the others. They spend their days wandering round the garden and their nights resting together in the eglu, they dig dust (or often mud) baths, they scatter the leaves I pile up (which is hilarious), chase the crows and generally they just have a ball rooting around or resting as they see fit....and I love them and am so glad they got their chance at a life in the sun - it's just a shame all hens don't get the same chance. Sorry I've gone on a bit but I'm just so chuffed they've all made it through the first year and seem so happy and healthy and I'd love to be able to rescue a few more - I guess I need a cube!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 How lovely! What a nice picture you paint. Congratulations on a year of freedom for all your girls and here's to many more happy chicken tales! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 That is a lovely story . Well done for giving them such a great life . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 i think this deserves 'before and after' pictures if you have them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 i think this deserves 'before and after' pictures if you have them Definitely! Lovely story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspersmum Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Wonderful story - congratulations!!! Piccies please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsatroy Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 That's such a nice happy story! Made me smile on this grey morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 That's such a nice happy story! Made me smile on this grey morning Ditto! Your girls sound very lucky Would love to see some pics too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 What a lovely story, made me smile too, what lucky girls, would love to see pictures too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 That's such a nice happy story! Made me smile on this grey morning Ditto! Your girls sound very lucky Would love to see some pics too Me too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 That story quite cheered me up. Thank you and well done you cd8jbr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 yay yay whoop whoop ... well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LottyJ1 Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 Such a lovely story - a whole year of freedom for some lucky hens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cd8jbr Posted October 27, 2012 Author Share Posted October 27, 2012 Thanks for all your kind messages. I'm working on getting some pictures together which will show how they have blossomed in the past year so....watch this space! Thanks again xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cd8jbr Posted November 3, 2012 Author Share Posted November 3, 2012 I've done it and put a load of pictures on Flickr!!! I think I've gone a bit overboard because there's quite a few up there. I would recommend looking at the sets of pictures which might make more sense than the disordered lot (I haven't figured how to use the site properly yet). Anyway - if you're interested this will get you there (I think): http://www.flickr.com/photos/89657319@N08/ Or you can search for the username Funky Chicken V (sorry - that was the best I could do). Enjoy! Regards Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspersmum Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 Fab pics!! Wow don't the girls look amazing now - they must be loving their new life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 Fantastic pics ..I looked through them all and loved the comb over pic and bottoms up ..Well done to you . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 Great photos . That growth was horrendous though . Poor girl . I love your dog, such a gorgeous little face . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 Those pictures are just lovely They show what chicken keeping is all about and why I love it so much - I just do rather wish OH would let me have 'real' chickens I particularly loved "Dumpling getting down and dirty" and "Nugget has a bath". They both look so delighted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 Lucky chickens. And I suppose we're quite lucky to have these lovely chickens too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 Sorry its a bit late but Happy Heniversary! Ive looked through all the pictures and what a credit they are to you! They look fantastic, your obviously doing everything right, they are thriving! Well done and congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dutchie Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 Congratulations! Lovely pictures, and lovely story. Although when I see pictures like the ones in your First Day Out set, I cant help and get angry about the poor conditions that exist for animals in our food production. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
