Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[MTKitty]

.... I prefer to weed by hand if I want the area to stay reasonably clear.

I do this with my yard. I thought I was being weird. Glad to know there’s at least one more in the world.

Tax (hens and chicks, since we’re talking yardwork):

 

[MaryJanet]

I think they have to take classes for different sets of animals (or something like that). That's the reason my livestock vet won't do them either, even though she knows quite a few people that have mentioned looking for a poultry vet, because she's not qualified to practice on them

They do.

It's like when a human doctor decides to specialise.

The avian specialisation is an extra year in Australia.

 

[Shadrach]

I do this with my yard. I thought I was being weird. Glad to know there’s at least one more in the world.

Tax (hens and chicks, since we’re talking yardwork):
View attachment 2915489View attachment 2915491

I could just be weird as well.

 

[MaryJanet]

why is such a specific qualification needed? it's not as if there was some consequence for them for giving wrong/bad advice/treatment - that apparently happen a lot!

In Australia they can be kicked out of the profession for transgressing the code of conduct.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I could just be wierd as well.

Well. You are, but it has nothing to do with weeding. And trust me, it's what makes you so loved and useful around here. To both chickens and all of us loyal and eager taxpayers.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

In Australia they can be kicked out of the profession for transgressing the code of conduct.

And of course there are consequences. Namely, dead chickens and disgruntled owners.

 

[Sally PB]

This article explains it.

Very interesting. Thank you.

 

[Shadrach]

This ones in quite good condition. She's also one of the hens that jump onto my lap.

 

[MaryJanet]

I give live mealworms once or twice a year. Lettuce maybe twice a week, and we all share an apple most days.

Keeping the treats to a minimum makes sure the hens tank up on proper food.

There's been discussion about grains and pellets.

I don't want hens with fragile livers grazing selectively through grains, so they eat the highest protein pellet I can find on the market. It's available 24/7 in 4 different feed stations (one for each hen).

Once a day, before roosting, the hens are offered their usual pellets in a mash with the dietary supplements added.

This dietary routine wasn't easy to establish among hens who were used to tanking up on treats and snacking on grain. They weren't happy. I stayed tough and they adjusted over a long time.

Now they're healthy as can be.

Janet and Mary are 3 and a half, Peggy and Ivy are 2 and a half.

I forgot to mention the hens forage in the backyard for at least an hour every day, usually 3-4 hours. So they're eating bugs and weeds too.

 

[Sortacountrychicken]

None of my ex batts were/are lap sitters but I do have one that once sat on my shoulder. This was last fall and she has never done it since but I was lucky enough to catch a picture of it. She was in a pretty hard molt at the time and to be honest I was surprised she had enough flight feathers left to make it to my shoulder (of course I'm rather short so it's not all that great a feat).