Edge Wife Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I give up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I withdrew my earlier posts because I felt I was indirectly referred to as not having my feet on the ground. I know I am sentimental about my animals, I always have been. But I feel what I have done has a moderate effect for the girls rather then the extreme one that other people seem to be suggesting. At least this way it is tried and tested and in the same way that other people express their views on how chickens fare if you let them get on with it you can have some facts from the other side of the fence too. Whoah (or however you spell it - like a cowbow trying to stop a horse) Slow down a bit please. Chill (or whatever the hip youngsters say) - or perhpas thats not appropriate given the topic I'm really sorry if you have taken my postings to be critisisissisisms of your attitude towards your animals. Please don't get offended - I put forward my views freely and am quite happy to be shot down or whatever. I appreciate what you do for your animals, and that you do it for the best. I maybe don't believe that it is necessary, but hey, thats only my opinion and its worth no more than yours. So I apologise for any offence, please don't take anything personally, and if you have any spare snugglesnfleafes or whatever they are, my missus would love them - I don't allow her any extra heating either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Richard, I think some of what Edgeman and Edgewife have said is aimed at me too, as roosting up trees, health and hardiness were comments I made earlier in this thread and these have been referred to. I certainly did not mean any offence and was only giving my opinion and view of things as the question was 'Do chickens feel the cold?'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Well said Richard - you're far more ...articulululated ... clever...than me This forum offers a wealth of opinions and information, most of it personal. As with any other repository (woo, get me.. ) of information on the internet; it's up to the reader to take on board what they choose, and what suits their situation best. None of us hold ourselves up to be any authority, we just learn what suits us best from our experiences, and are happy to share that knowledge with others. we don't mean any offence. This is like Scrabble, Richard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Well said Richard - you're far more ...articulululated ... clever...than me ! Well, if it comes to clever, I know for a fact it can't be true, But hang on, if you really mean articulated , I think that could be very wrong. Isn't that something to do with joints, and mine are totally shot! Perhaps articulate is the word you are looking for - still not true, but I appreciate the compliment. have a good weekend - its going to be cold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 It''s blumming freezing here already too Have a good one yourself Guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Im the Snugglesafe lady and I would have got here earlier however i got issued a new laptop and all hell has broken loose since then but im here now. OK from what i can gather the question was 'Do chickens feel the cold?' Lets set the scene. When i first got my ex-battery girls it was early November last year and the four girls i picked up were in a shocking state, very featherless, thin and looked traumatised. I thought the feathers would start to grow back really quickly however a month on and they didnt look much different and as the temperature was dropping i decided to invest in two Snugglesafes. I popped these under the roosting bars at night and felt they did (and do) a good job of giving the chooks a little extra heat that they would otherwise generate themselves if they had feathers. Flump was the most badly off in the feather department - none on her wings, chest or back and i was fed up of seeing her cold and miserable so i knitted her a jumper which she wore for a short time over the winter period. This is Flump in her jumper I like the Snugglesafes and think they do a great job, having said that chickens can roost in trees and be perfectly ok, you can leave the eglu door open in the winter and the chooks will be just fine. Chooks can be very hardy creatures and will adapt to most living conditions either in an eglu (with or without a snugglesafe) or up a tree. It really is a personal choice and what you feel is best for your chooks. Personally as all my girls are ex-battery babies i tend to pamper them a little as i think they need it. The rough start in life has knocked them about (and it shows) and if i can do something to make them a little more comfortable then i will. If that means I pop a little heating pad under the roosting bars when they are thin and featherless then i will do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Oh wow - the jumper is just awesome. I've just finished a pair of wellie socks and my PA (fairly new) was just gobsmacked to see my knitting in my briefcase. I thought all women (now I'm going to be really non PC) learnt to knit from their Mums but it seems that isn't the case. I am helping my son's partner to learn to knit. Anyway, the chicken coat is brilliant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I seem to recall that the former Bishop of Leicester was a keen knitter! He found it whiled away time on journeys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Personally as all my girls are ex-battery babies i tend to pamper them a little as i think they need it. The rough start in life has knocked them about (and it shows) and if i can do something to make them a little more comfortable then i will. If that means I pop a little heating pad under the roosting bars when they are thin and featherless then i will do it I'm not usually very serious, but I do have a lot of admiration for those of you who rescue the ex battery hens. I have a bit of a problem with rescue as I think, like greyhound rescue, that if you aren't careful it sort of legitimises the people who keep animals like this - you know ' oh its OK. 'cos there are people who rescue the hens so we don't have to bother'. but actually I think you do a fantastic job. I'm really happy with my well fed, georgeous looking, Orpingtons who have had a lovely life from day one. Everyone says how cute they are and all the rest and I bask in the reflected admiration - you guys take the poor hens who have had a really poor life and aren't pretty etc. 'cos they've got no feathers, and you give them a bit of love and a bit of a good time. Fair play to you all - brilliant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 .... - you guys take the poor hens who have had a really poor life and aren't pretty etc. 'cos they've got no feathers, and you give them a bit of love and a bit of a good time. OY! Dont say that in front of my girls or they will peck at your toes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 .... - OY! Dont say that in front of my girls or they will peck at your toes! Oh dear, I knew I shouldn't have got into this. SORRY. Beauty isn't just feather deep, or something like that ... Sorry sorry Sorry sorry Sorry sorry Sorry sorry Sorry sorry Sorry sorry Sorry sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I have a bit of a problem with rescue as I think, like greyhound rescue, that if you aren't careful it sort of legitimises the people who keep animals like this - you know ' oh its OK. 'cos there are people who rescue the hens so we don't have to bother'. Unfortunately, I doubt if they really care whether they are rescued or sent to slaughter. I'm really happy with my well fed, georgeous looking, Orpingtons who have had a lovely life from day one. Everyone says how cute they are and all the rest and I bask in the reflected admiration Oooh you are so shallow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Nice one! Beauty isnt feather deep! Honestly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 [Oooh you are so shallow Yep, thats me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Richard wrote: I have a bit of a problem with rescue as I think, like greyhound rescue, that if you aren't careful it sort of legitimises the people who keep animals like this - you know ' oh its OK. 'cos there are people who rescue the hens so we don't have to bother'. I can see why you might think that but the BHWT and the rest of us ex batt fans are working toward change and educating people. Other organisations too are working towards the end of the battery cage. Rescuing the girls in no way legitimises the battery industry IMO, in fact it makes more people aware of what a cruel industry it is because they get to see the end result. In the meantime these poor girls need somewhere to go and my garden is better than inhumane (which it mostly is) slaughter. Can't speak for the greyhounds I'm afraid or the race horses or the countless other animals that are abused in our name then cast aside when they're no longer useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Nice one! Beauty isnt feather deep! Honestly! I'm in love with Jean Reno so I don't think looks hold much sway with me Then again, that voice! Sorry, totally off topic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 oh emma, i've just seen your photo and want to pick her and give her a big cuddle, poor little thing. She looks so tragic but how lovely of you to knit her a jumper! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
