Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Curious Georgina]

In April 2021 I returned to the UK having spent the last ten years living with and studying various groups of chickens on a small holding In Catalonia Spain.

Some of you may have read some of my posts and seen pictures of what I call The Tribes, in my house and free ranging on the land. I’ve written a number of articles here on BYC based on my observations of these tribes and there is an as yet unpublished book that deals with the lives of these chickens and what I have learned from a decade of observing them and the experience of helping out with the care of free range chickens on my uncles farm in my youth.

I had decided even before leaving Catalonia that should I have to leave the tribes and my home what I would like to do was look after ex battery chickens and rescues given the opportunity. That opportunity arose in September of this year 2021.

A family member, knowing how much I miss the Tribes, mentioned that she though she knew where there were some chickens and one evening when out walking we visited the site. There was a rather old and partially illegible sign on the notice board at the entrance to the site asking for someone who would be prepared to help looking after the chickens. I contacted the person concerned and this thread is in part a record of the subsequent events.

The sign.
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That’s wonderful. I’d love to read your work. I’m going to look for articles. I went to college in Bristol.

 

[Shadrach]

Hello Curious Georgina.
Let me save you a search.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/members/shadrach.521413/#ams_articles

Do you live in Bristol?

 

[Perris]

Hello Curious Georgina.
Let me save you a search.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/members/shadrach.521413/#ams_articles

Do you live in Bristol?

I didn't realize you'd written so many! That'll keep me busy for a while

 

[Shadrach]

I didn't realize you'd written so many! That'll keep me busy for a while

I've got a couple more cooking.

 

[Perris]

I've got a couple more cooking.

oh good!

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Broody transport. She's given up going at my hand like a woodpecker. Shame she hasn't given up on being broody. Early days I suppose.View attachment 3178868View attachment 3178869
Matilda.View attachment 3178871View attachment 3178872View attachment 3178875
One of the lap sitters or rather standers in this case.View attachment 3178874

She really has a lot of confidence.

She's saying I dare you to try to move me.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Bit of a sad day here today, 3x 15 week cockerels off to their date with dinner. I've kept one, in the hopes we move to our larger property before 2 roosters on a smallish property becomes an issue. That's the outcome of hatching chickens though, and they go to feed a family. The entire flock goes on high alert when they see me coming with my net! I try to get the catching and boxing done as quickly and efficiently as possible and return to my usual non threatening, net-free, food-lady status.
Here is the lucky cockerel who gets to stay a bit longer, with his not so lucky brother behind him.
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Beautiful!

 

[Ladies-Eight]

The look on this one's face!

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Don't try me!

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Ex Batts good afternoon one and all!

91 with rain off and on.

All the pictures are great.

Have a great day!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Good morning X Batts. We seem to have made it to Summer..
Boys in a stand off for Tax.