Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[no fly zone]

I have the same issue… lots of predators. Bobcats are just one of many types.

I am in SW Florida.

 

[Shadrach]

Shad, I have an idea. Might there be a tree crew who would like to get rid of some wood chips? Maybe you could get wood chips for free for the run.

You don't get woodchip for free here.

 

[Shadrach]

An idea for you Shad, prompted by my current reading, and noticing fallen fence posts scattered across your site: some use willow wands for fence posts "as they take root instead of rotting and provide shade" - so that's a win-win, and they'd sop up a lot of the surplus water once established, so it all gets less muddy.

You might have something here Perris. I'm going to look into it.

 

[micstrachan]

You don't get woodchip for free here.

You don’t here, either, usually. But tree companies have to haul everything off site. I have heard they will sometimes offload wood chips for free, but have never looked into it.

 

[Shadrach]

I wondered what other research on chickens Bristol has supported and it seems they've been busy: https://research-information.bris.a...e&inferConcepts=true&searchBy=RelatedConcepts

don't be put off by the non-chicken topics on the list, keep going to the end.

I have already approached them.

 

[Shadrach]

How interesting. I wonder if Shad could offer his services and insights as they seem to have a department that is interested (though many of them are quite old).

Nottingham University is doing some interesting work currently.

 

[Shadrach]

The Legbars.

Forgot one.

 

[Shadrach]

It wasn't raining this afternoon so I got to sit for a bit. It wasn't long before I had company.

 

[Shadrach]

I've been in touch with a few other people who have taken Pear Tree Farm Ex Battery hens from them. One recurring complaint is there hasn't been any flexibility in which hens one can accept.
Depending on the state of the hens has quite a bearing on what keeping circumstances are most suitable.
If for example the hens a going to person who is happy just to have them as pets and don't have other chickens then perhaps the hens in the worst condition should be placed with such people who will hopefully have the time and resources to provide a greater degree of care.
Other hens that may just be wanted for their end of life laying capacity may suit other forms of keeping, perhaps something like the allotments.

 

[micstrachan]

Shad, this is very informative. I think I mentioned to you that I might be interested in rescuing ex-batts someday.