Leicester_H Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 So here is my new flock of 6 ex-batts from BHWT rescue at Allesley last Saturday. When we got home, we opened the boxes and carefully lifted them out – but one refused and just kept pecking us, so we carefully put box on its side and left her there. She seemed VERY traumatised by it all. We had a quick lunch and went back outside – they had all found the water and were busy drinking – so I was going to put some more water by her box, but as we counted them, there were all 6 drinking (which was a relief). The one who wouldn’t come out is the poorest one feather wise (her back is quite bare) Here is pic of 5 of them eating – as you can see, 2 look like slightly scruffy ‘normal’ chooks Notice the aubiose on the back of the one in the corner – she was pecking it up and putting on her own back ! The poorest one is mixing with the others Poor things ! This is one of the near perfectly OK ones Here they are, feeling the sun for the first time They found the food and grit but are only using the central water station(which they have knocked over twice already) – any ideas how to get them to use the other water Sources (the white container towards the back of the run)? And here is the poorest one, flopped down in the sun They are mostly going around as a flock of 6 (not been too much squabbling yet, fortunately) Most have bare necks Had 4 perfect eggs (and one funny one) – one was even in the nest box ! How do they know ? The first night we had to coax them into the eglus but the 2nd night, 5 of the 6 went to bed on their own - quick learners !! This shows the blinds on the end of the run (to keep wind and rain out) Side of run has temporary plastic (will have proper blinds soon) Eglus are not in final positions yet as we’re keeping everything low to prevent injuries (one eglu will probably go above the other) and there will be lots of branches etc. One problem is that the poorest one (who will be the trouble maker) keeps trying to jump onto the horizontal part of the run frame (I think she can’t see the wire mesh) and falling back. I have put an old Omlet shade over the bar so she can’t see it – but I can’t do this on all sides – will she learn eventually that she can’t perch on the run frame ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 They are lovely! So good to see the one with the most feather loss sun-bathing. Long may she enjoy the heat of the sun etc. As for learning, they can't perch on the run sides, I think they will get it quite soon. I've found my ex-bats the fastest to learn of all the chickens I've had. Well done for getting them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueandwhite Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Well done you, I bet they can't believe their luck. What a great set-up with blinds, good idea. Sorry can't help with your questions, but sure they will learn fast. They look well settled already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 What a lovely run you have for those lucky girls to live in. The poorest one looks like she is having the time of her life in the sunshine, and the others look very happy too. Well done on rescuing them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted May 20, 2013 Author Share Posted May 20, 2013 6 eggs today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What little troupers! H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Awww bless 'em Well done for rescuing some Batties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 What a lovely run. Lucky chickens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Well done you! When we got our latest 3 one was nearly bald and all the other hens tried to stop her from getting food, and she would sit in the cube for ages away for the others. I was worried she'd never hold her own, or be part of the flock. Fast forward a few months and she is the prettiest hen and out there with the rest. They will find their way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Oh well done you I just loved my ex batt ladies Best hens in the world Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 What lucky girls to have such a fantastic new home. 6 eggs Wow Well done H for giving them a new start. I loved my ex batts, just have Agnes left now. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suebee Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 ...... Lovely girls. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Beautiful and well done on the rescue! Hope you enjoy them for several more years.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Well done you for rescuing them What lucky girls they are to have such a very nice home. I'm sure a bit of sun on their backs and good food and space will soon bring them back to normal appearances. One thing though - now that battery cages are banned, how come commercial chickens are still featherless and so pale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Caged chickens still exist, it's just that they're in "enriched cage" systems instead. Much bigger cages, a nesting area and a scratch area, but only slightly more area per hen than battery cages. http://www.bhwt.org.uk/cms/enriched-cages-and-colony-eggs/ Always lovely to see rescue chickens learning to do chickeny things: I remember when one of my batts first realised that she could stand up straight and stretch her wings out. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShellNick Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Fantastic run - where did you get it from? x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peachachecha Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 They are lovely hens. It is so sad to see any animal that has been mistreated. Wonderful thing you have done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
