Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[fuzzi]

Reposting this from personal thread because I think you'll enjoy it:

It was bound to happen...this afternoon (Tuesday) the boys had a little...kerfuffle.

Zack is six weeks older than Silas. He was eating, head inside the port feeder when Silas came up and pecked him! Zack jumped backwards, startled, then started scratching the ground, like a proverbial toro. He fluffed up, puffed up, shook his torso, and flapped his wings. Within a minute Zack went back to the feeder, and Silas snuck up and pecked him again. This second time Zack reacted by going after Silas, trying to grab him by the neck, and pecking back. Silas ran away and Zack let him.


At that point Zack started furiously scratching the ground and going through a little display of puffing and flapping. He did not pursue Silas.

I'm very pleased with this display because Zack's sire, Samuel, was very aggressive, and I am hoping that Zack is not like his daddy in that trait.

I love watching them.

 

[Shadrach]

A dry and sunny but chilly afternoon at 9C with a stiff NE wind.
This month marks the end of my third year of attempting to improve the lives of the the chickens that have had a miserable life at the hands of those who belong to the field group.
One by one, I, with the help of our current treasurer, have removed from the field group those who stood by and did nothing knowing that the chickens were neglected, starved and abused. The last one bar C will lose their membership this year.
Henry and I are getting old. Both us are mainly interested in eating, sleeping and bathing in the weak Autumn sunshine. We did a bit of that today.
There is only Henry and Fret left out of the 26 chickens that I found there on my first day. I hope that those chickens that got to feel lush green grass under their feet, got to eat proper foraged food, found space to fly, made friends and perhaps enemies in the group will recall if such a thing is possible, the better years; I know I will.

There are now three generations of chickens at the field. None bought for pennies from some disgusting farm store bin or sent through the postal system never knowing their mother or father, or more often than not, their siblings; just product, not life.

 

[MaryJanet]

You've been good for that flock Shad. The improvements you've made are quite sweeping really, from basic needs like shelter, safety and food through to enabling family and relationships. And the other allotments people have had an opportunity to observe better husbandry (if they wanted to).

 

[Perris]

RIP Carbon.

 

[kcan2]

Celebrating 3 years of enjoying this thread, following Henry & his ladies, remembering Matilda, Carbon, and others, some drama, from both people + chickens (ahem, Dig)!

My chicken journey began when 2 lone cockerels began calling my yard home. When I think about all of the money, time, concern, effort, education, etc that has gone into what was initially a rescue effort, it comprehensively makes no sense, unless you're me, who would do it all again, anyway.

Cheers to BYC's resident Roosterist, Henry & Co, and a wonderful BYC thread of 3 years (and counting)!

 

[ManueB]

Gwynedd, Llandeilo, Oxwich, Rhondda and Tintern are 1 today! Tintern now looks very like his granddad Phoenix
View attachment 3941918
Can't wait to see that tail when he's finished moulting.

A belated happy hatch days ! Can we see more pictures of the four others ?
I need a family tree of your chickens. I love the local names but it's beginning to feel like the Tolkien elvish and dwarves family tree - I have to look up the index every time to even remember who is who, let alone who is someone's grandfather !

A dry and sunny but chilly afternoon at 9C with a stiff NE wind.
This month marks the end of my third year of attempting to improve the lives of the the chickens that have had a miserable life at the hands of those who belong to the field group.
One by one, I, with the help of our current treasurer, have removed from the field group those who stood by and did nothing knowing that the chickens were neglected, starved and abused. The last one bar C will lose their membership this year.
Henry and I are getting old. Both us are mainly interested in eating, sleeping and bathing in the weak Autumn sunshine. We did a bit of that today.
There is only Henry and Fret left out of the 26 chickens that I found there on my first day. I hope that those chickens that got to feel lush green grass under their feet, got to eat proper foraged food, found space to fly, made friends and perhaps enemies in the group will recall if such a thing is possible, the better years; I know I will.

There are now three generations of chickens at the field. None bought for pennies from some disgusting farm store bin or sent through the postal system never knowing their mother or father, or more often than not, their siblings; just product, not life.

View attachment 3942426View attachment 3942427View attachment 3942428View attachment 3942429View attachment 3942430

What a journey it's been, with some rough moments, and some happier ones now.
You can be proud of what your scottish stubbornness did for the chickens.

You were already an experienced chicken keeper and roosterist when this began, but in very different conditions. Do you feel like you learnt some new things ? Or maybe a different way to ask the same question: looking back now, is there anything you would have done differently?

The title of this thread isn't correct anymore, though I don't think it's possible to change it. It should now sound like Shadrach's and Henry's chicken family thread.

 

[BDutch]

A dry and sunny but chilly afternoon at 9C with a stiff NE wind.
This month marks the end of my third year of attempting to improve the lives of the the chickens that have had a miserable life at the hands of those who belong to the field group.
One by one, I, with the help of our current treasurer, have removed from the field group those who stood by and did nothing knowing that the chickens were neglected, starved and abused. The last one bar C will lose their membership this year.
Henry and I are getting old. Both us are mainly interested in eating, sleeping and bathing in the weak Autumn sunshine. We did a bit of that today.
There is only Henry and Fret left out of the 26 chickens that I found there on my first day. I hope that those chickens that got to feel lush green grass under their feet, got to eat proper foraged food, found space to fly, made friends and perhaps enemies in the group will recall if such a thing is possible, the better years; I know I will.

There are now three generations of chickens at the field. None bought for pennies from some disgusting farm store bin or sent through the postal system never knowing their mother or father, or more often than not, their siblings; just product, not life.

View attachment 3942426View attachment 3942427View attachment 3942428View attachment 3942429View attachment 3942430

A sad story in the first year
A good improvement in the continuing years
A wonderful chicken setup today thanks to you Shad.

I do hope you wil find a way to continue caring for this flock and get the help you need now and then. How is it going with your new help?

Whisky saying hello to you all!

 

[BDutch]

RIP Carbon.

So sorry to hear she is gone.
When did this happen?

 

[BDutch]

The title of this thread isn't correct anymore, though I don't think it's possible to change it. It should now sound like Shadrach's and Henry's chicken family thread.

Premium members can ask one of the managers to alter the title.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Ex Batts good morning one and all!

Tea is ready.

Temperature is in the 80s cloudy 83% chance of rain.

Have a great day!