Chicken bald back

[keyhole kate]

Well I picked up my first ever batties yesterday they are so small and weigh nothing they have floppy combs and little pale faces but ever so trusting and happy to be picked and cuddled I dread to think how bad they were on release day there's not much of them now

I let them FR separated from my motley crew with Omlet Netting and my girls completely ignored them so I gradually allowed them one by one to mix there has been the odd chase mostly from the feisty Pekins but they were all happy to go into the WIR together

 

The poorliest one managed the ladder and took herself off to bed her little friend was unsure of the ladder and the minute she see me she runs up to my feet taps on my croc as much to say I'm here pick me up I tried popping her in but quick as a flash she was back by my feet so what could I do but take her in for a snuggle until properly dark then back into the cube.

They made it down the ladder today we have named them poorliest one Nora as in Nora batty and little friend is Margot from the good life they are a joy real little characters and desperate for affection. I definitely have the Ex Batt bug.

[mollyripkim]

That's so lovely, they sound such dear little characters, lucky girls to have you. It will be interesting to see their transformation.

[gavclojak]

So pleased you took the plunge, they are lucky girls but I also think we are the lucky ones as we are privileged to watch them grow in to the girls they deserve to be

[Grandmashazzie]

Aw that's so sweet,aren't they so lucky.

[Millie-Annie]

I have one ex-batt left, Ivy, she has been with me for over 2 years and is still laying. She is a lovely girl and so friendly. I have to say my middle three were horrible girls, well Lyla wasn't so bad, but Veronica and Rene were awful. Horrible to each other, horrible to us, just horrible. I nearly didn't bother again. But the next four were great, like my first three so quite why two of the middle three were evil, who knows

[Luvachicken]

Keyhole Kate, they sound adorable and so affectionate too.

Well done you for taking them on and I hope they have a very long and happy life with you

[Valkyrie]

They sound well at home and it sounds like you are going to have to be on tap for Nora cuddles quite frequently! Well done and so pleased they've settled in and been accepted by the olduns too.

 

Glad the grumpy ratbag girls didn't put you off - maybe it was just the breeding. Our buff Sussex is a ratbag, although not quite as much with the other girls - more with us - seems to be a trait as I've heard several peeps say their buff Sussexes are similar grumps.

[Lavenders_Blue]

Awwwww, your new girls sound lovely! Especially little Nora I do think ex batts can vary in temperament. I've not had any grumpy ones, but my first 4 were super tame, the next 4 I had were quite aloof and uninterested in people (they were also the weakest of my ex batts and all died within 18 months of rescue) and the newest 3 are again very tame!

One of my newest girls, Adele, was a pathetic, scraggy, weak little s"Ooops, word censored!" when we got her. She barely had any feathers, stood around looking hunched and miserable all the time and would frequently be chased off the food (I had to sneak extra supplies out to her). Now she is one of my most beautiful girls, really well feathered, her comb has shrunk right back, she has colour in her face and a twinkle in her eye. Yesterday I caught her trying to fly over the garden fence so I think we can safely say that she's a proper cheeky chook now!

I hope this is the start of many more ex batts for you. They are addictive!

[paulad]

how wonderful - we love our ex bats to bits and wud only ever have exbats again

its amazing how quickly they plump and feather up - was only thinking today how big and healthy ours look

just a joy

 

enjoy yours xx

[Valkyrie]

Hubby has said that when we get our smallholding - and it is now definitely on the cards, but not for a couple more years though - he wants batties. Yayyy me too.

[Alis girls]

Lovely story Kate - how many was it you got a couple? or 4 - hee hee. Pictures would be nice

[Alis girls]

Sorry I have wrong thread I thought you were getting a couple AKA 4!!! silly me!

[redsunset]

So lovely to read this. May you get many hours of pleasure watching them blossom into normal chooks in the coming months. The wonder of normal chicken behaviour is inbuilt and in those cases any eggs are a bonus.

[keyhole kate]

Sorry I have wrong thread I thought you were getting a couple AKA 4!!! silly me!

 

I am waiting for a couple of barn hen blue egg layers from LHR which may or may not make four or erm six in total

[Chickabee]

I also got a "couple" when I got my ex bats (4)