The girls are back!
It was a sad day last Thursday when one of the girls passed away just five short weeks after release from the battery pens. She was one of the weaker birds and enjoyed her time of freedom before succumbing to a fermenting crop. She was a little unwell the day before so I moved her to a quiet shed in the warm with fresh water and food. I spoke to fellow chicken keepers and had had much advice given. In the morning, she seemed to perk up and I thought she would be around for a long time. Sadly, by 12 noon she had rolled onto her side. I went to see how she was I am sure she winked at me, as if to say thank you, before drawing her last breath. At 12.02, kebab, as the youngsters named her, was in chicken land, wherever that is.
The rest of the girls knew something was wrong, suddenly appearing outside the shed. They made no noise, just peered in, fluffed up their feathers before walking off. Kebab is buried under a tree she took such a fancy too when I first let them all out to explore the garden.
What is great is the way the girls have really filled out, are laying four eggs a day and will now feed from visitors hands. If you have space and time to devote to taking ex battery hens, get them into your garden or back yard for a better life for both of you. Just one word of warning – watch your garden plants.
June 16th, 2008 at 4:50 am
I just wanted to say how great it is that you took on some ex batts.
I don’t have any hens myself currently, as we are in a flat, but once the opportunity arises we will be getting ex batts ourselves.
I have had many arguments with people about keeping ex bat hens, them saying their stupid and hard work. It is true, they don’t know how to fend for themselves or forage at first, but with a little time and patience, they can recover and lead the life they deserve as free(-ish) range hens.
Well done you!
Bright blessings
Madam Salami
June 16th, 2008 at 6:04 am
Thank you for your kind comments…as for the girls being stupid! well I have met many a person with far less nouce than the girls. They do take a little time to get used to their new home but I can tell you that within an hour of arrival in their new coop they were doing things that free chickens do. They did need a little help to get use to pecking for slugs and the like but once shown - watch out! Guard you flower beds too. All in all they are great fun and now provide an egg a day each as a thank you. I will always go for ex-batts as they are hardy and do welcome the chance to have freedom after a time in confind space.
My very best wishes
July 9th, 2008 at 7:35 am
Dear Green Ghost,
Its not the garden you need to keep them away from its the strawberry patch. They will demolish it in seconds. Mind you, its quite funny to wacth them running away with a plump prized possession.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Dear Greenghost,
How are the hens doing? Isn’t it time to update us on thir latest exploits.