daisyisarobot Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 It took my ex batt girls ages to master the ladder, to be honest they still are not keen. Have a look at my thread introducing my exbatt girls at long last and you can see what we had to do with the ladder. X Will do, thank you! Three out of the six can manage it now but it's still hit & miss! The smallest one comes leaping out in the morning so getting down isn't a problem! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisyisarobot Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 I loved reading this,your girls sound great and very spoilt I have had 10 ex-batts now and the one thing I would say to you is, be prepared to accept they don't live long. I got so attached to my first three, like you are and was heartbroken when they died. I have toughened up now, helped by the fact the next three we had were horrible bullies to each other and never endeared themselves to me. But this latest 4, of which we have 2 left have been nice girls. Enjoy and I now think however long they have is better than what they had before Awh thanks! Before we got them I mentally prepared myself for maybe one or two passing in the first few months & was OK with it. BUT now I know them & their individual quirky traits (voices!)...I'll be heartbroken when it happens to any of them! However, it definitely won't put me off rehoming more in future. When one passes we'll probably rehomed a couple more & keep the number around 6ish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisyisarobot Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 Update on my six favourite (baldish) ladies... 3/6 have made it up the ladder but it's still hit n miss. We stuck a plant pot at the bottom & a wooden box but they saw these as obstacles rather than a handy step Daft old bats! Good news * They now know when it's bed time & are eager to get into the Cube around half 8 although Bjork & Queenie fall asleep around 7. Perhaps they are a wee bit older? They are certainly the laziest! * They have become quite fond of us. Chasing us around and waiting at the gate even when they have food. It's very cute! * Gabrielle (also known as Claire BALDing), the smallest of the hens & baldest, has come out of her shell (pun not intended! ) Although, when we go to pick her up, she crouches and stomps. Scooping her up is no problem though! * Feathers are regrowing EVERYWHERE! The lead hen, Henrietta, looks almost normal now! Bad news * Eggs are still being eaten. We got in touch in BHWT & they said we've been a bit too nice and fewer treats plus pellets should toughen the eggs up. I'm going to look into supplements to harden the shells. We think the soft eggs are breaking & then they eat it rather than one of the girls breaking the eggs. Fingers crossed! Other news * Got home on Sunday & could hear them screaming, ran into the garden and there was the neighbour's golden retriever sitting at our front door. He wasn't bothered about them but the girls were NOT HAPPY! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisyisarobot Posted August 21, 2013 Author Share Posted August 21, 2013 All the ladies can manage the ladder now - hurrah! Although there is always a lazy one who hangs around for me lift her in. Cheeky mare! We're getting 4 eggs a day at the moment and the shells have improved. I have a feeling Bjork isn't laying. She sleeps a lot and takes herself off to bed around 7ish while the others head up for 8. We're getting up at 6am to let them out. Praying for Omlet to come out with an automatic opener! Whose lazy now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 Ah it's lovely to hear your news. You should terribly fond of your girls. It's funny one of my girls alana goes to bed about half an hour earlier than the other girls, she is the aloof one so maybe just likes to have a bit of 'me' time. Glad your enjoying it x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisyisarobot Posted October 28, 2013 Author Share Posted October 28, 2013 It's 3 months on since we brough the chooks home so I thought I'd write a little update. Firstly, all 6 are still with us! We read so many articles regarding battery hens passing fairly quickly once rehome so we have been prepared but they are hardy wee beasties! Secondly, half are still looking a bit shabby. I was perhaps under the illusion their feathers would grown quicker than they have! All 6 had 'naked' necks when they arrived & they all have feathers sprouting out a few centimetres now. The greediest hen, Luigi, has become the best looker. She lay terrilble eggs (mostly softies, if she lays at all) BUT she looks fantastic! The 2 smallest hens, Gabby & Bjork still have mostly bald backs but are in good shape. I remember the first time I picked up Gabby and I could feel every bone Now, she's a little fatty! Thirdly, today the Cube extension arrived (along with treats & a clear cover). The cube and the cube run sits within a larger WIR but I don't think it's fox proof and it's certianly not rat proof so my plan is to keep them within the Cube run during the weekdays. I work 9-5 but rarely do I leave at 5 and I don't like they thought of them being vunrable in the darkness so they will have 3 metres during the week and supervised free ranging at the weekend. Needs must! Fourthly, I flipping love the Cube! I has given me peace of mind (I don't think I slept without the help of Nytol when we had the wooden coop), looks great in the garden and the girls seem to like it too. Recently, 3 or sometime 4 bundle into the nest box to sleep. I know some people prefer they didn't but I don't mind. They've been through enough and a comfy bed isn't much to ask for when they have given us so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 That's lovely to hear - glad that you're enjoying your chickens, it's always nice to hear an update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 I think that your a confirmed besotted chicken keeper. Glad it's all going well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisyisarobot Posted October 28, 2013 Author Share Posted October 28, 2013 Thanks Quite sad to come home today and find them already tucked up. Tomorrow they will get extra mealworms! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Well done you are giving them a lovely life. By the way when I said they don't live long I didn't mean they go that quick Two years is my max, although Ivy is heading for two years Christmas and still laying well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 I really enjoyed reading your thread about your girls! Glad you are enjoying keeping chickens - they make such lovely pets and mine are spoilt rotten but I wouldn't change a thing My girls have been moulting for weeks and weeks and some still look awful and patchy But one had a bald patch for about 8 months because of pecking problems, and the area on her head only started growing back when she went into moult this year - so it may take time for your new ladies to get all feathers back. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
