Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[ManueB]

Then your chickens do free range. The term is very misleading. The UK regs - which are still the same as the EU ones - are given on pp. 33-34 of this document. https://assets.publishing.service.g...f-practice-welfare-of-laying-hens-pullets.pdf
Basically the term means the birds have access to the outside, in theory. In practice the popholes may be few and far between (at least 2 metres' length per 1,000 birds!), the 'range' outside a bit of threadbare grass, and some hens probably never leave the shed.

I didn't answer the recent poll on free ranging precisely because i wasn't sure whether I'd consider that my chickens do or not. I believe the fact that they are contained makes a huge difference. But, being outside at almost all time in a natural environment has given them many free ranging benefits and skills.

I'm interested by this document. In France our president still hasn't banned cages for laying hens. Approximately one third of layer hens are in cages and several animal rights organization have recently seized our administrative juridiction against the state on that subject. Granted, being outside in the conditions you describe is maybe not much better but I think it's still different from being in an individual cage all life.

on dustbathing: I've just been down to the corner of the garden where the spa is and most of the flock were hanging out there. By the time I got back with the camera, most of the girls had got up, but the 3 boys who'd been sunbathing together were still down. More preening than dustbathing, but they're doing it together, on dry earth.
View attachment 3129348

I won't engage on the controversial issue of whether there's dustbathing going or not but I find your chickens really beautiful and colorful. And I'm happy to spot a wheelbarrow in the corner .

 

[ManueB]

She's mite free. Just unwell.
It was a local village hall event. There were other speakers most of whome were better prepared.

Maybe those other speakers didn't have to handle a coop delivery during their preparation .
Getting questions is a certain sign you got people interested. Nobody makes someone they find boring keep on talking.

 

[Perris]

I wasn't going to bother but...
They're not dust bathing really are they. They're sitting on an undug piece of ground grooming. You write as much yourself.

yep. Fair cop.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Ex Batts good morning one and all!

71 and cloudy.

Have a great day!

 

[fuentemoon]

My three chickens are constantly sneaking into the house to eat cat food.

 

[no fly zone]

Laserbeak keeps sneaking into the nesting box to lay eggs where Sky is. Skeksis has been using one of the upper level boxes.

 

[ManueB]

I am getting slightly anxious about broody Chipie.
She certainly checks all the usual symptoms of a broody I've read about : puffed up, screaming like death, clucking and running like mad when she comes out.
But, I'm worried about her eyes. It seems something dark, ancient and evil is lurking in there.
Should I rename her Nyarlathotep ?

 

[pennyJo1960]

Happy Memorial Day to all.

 

[no fly zone]

Happy Memorial Day to all.

Faux pas. You don't say "merry funeral!" at someone's wake.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Your right there my Faux pas.. My Dad was ww 2.
He would say happy to be home for it.