Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Shadrach]

"Meh, the soils all damp."

Henry doesn't seem to mind. In fact, he had a great time. He was mumbling away to himself and had at one point, two of the Ex Battery hens cleaning that spot where the comb joins the head.

It's not that the hens didn't want to bathe.

Of course, this rooster prefering slightly damp soil to bathe in is complete nonsense.

 

[Shadrach]

I can check over about half the hens while they are on the ground now. I can even mite spray and do their legs with some.
Not great pictures. I must have tried to take thirty! These are the best of them.
This one is done. SLM is just starting.

This is me caoting another using my finger.

This one can't even be bothered to get up.

This one is complaining all the dust is sticking to her legs.

 

[Shadrach]

Out and about.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Out and about.
View attachment 3193899View attachment 3193900View attachment 3193901View attachment 3193902

Most if not all look pretty darn healthy these days.

 

[ManueB]

I can check over about half the hens while they are on the ground now. I can even mite spray and do their legs with some.
Not great pictures. I must have tried to take thirty! These are the best of them.
This one is done. SLM is just starting.
View attachment 3193872
This is me caoting another using my finger.
View attachment 3193873
This one can't even be bothered to get up.
View attachment 3193875View attachment 3193877View attachment 3193879
This one is complaining all the dust is sticking to her legs.
View attachment 3193881

There is something about your body attitude, or the chicken's trust, or a bit of both, to be able to take care of hens like this.

I spend a lot more time with the hens than my partner and I do most of the feeding and cleaning. However when we have to hold one, most will stay on my partner, but not on me. (No, I'm not jealous . )

We had to handle a bit Caramel when she was sick (gave her a dewormer for five days with a syringe). She was already a bit skittish, but now both of us can barely touch her.

 

[Perris]

I spent yesterday at the Royal Welsh Show; no poultry because of continuing AI restrictions but I saw this and thought of @ManueB

and I know it's not a chicken but I have to share a photo of the star of the show, the winning Welsh Cob stallion >6 years old

and finally something for @Shadrach to show his fellow allotment holders:

 

[micstrachan]

got the supermoon last night: it was pretty tooView attachment 3186809

Thanks everyone. My aunt usually does the picking up/holding when we need to examine or treat anyone. I would love to see a pic of one of you holding a LF chicken in that manner (sometimes what I read and what I picture don’t jive). Although I end up with chickens on me often, it is usually through their free will of jumping on my lap or arm. Lol.

Also, now that I will have my own flock in the yard, would you all suggest a nightly or weekly exam at roost? If I can get the last soffit predator proofed today or tomorrow, the girls will move in right after.

For me, it depends on the chicken! I mostly hold them with my right arm loosely around them and same hand cradling their breast below the crop with my elbow sort of around the bum. My left arm is lightly around their breast. I only loosely secure the wings. Some do better with more wing securing than others. Then there’s Minnie, who cannot be held without squatting in my arms and dies better standing on me. And there is Flo, who demands to be picked up on a regular basis, and I just put one hand around each wing with my thimbs over her back and fingers under her breast. Then I either set her in my lap or cradle her as described above. Then there is Flash, who muat have her wings secured until I bend over and curl my torso over her, creating sort of a cave. Then she immediately melts and calms down.

Edited to add: I think I replied to the wrong post. This was meant to address the how to hold a chicken conversation.

 

[Perris]

So, I put a few in there this evening; eight to be exact, two of which came straight back out.

look on the bright side: 6 stayed in!

 

[ManueB]

I spent yesterday at the Royal Welsh Show; no poultry because of continuing AI restrictions but I saw this and thought of @ManueB
View attachment 3194187

Ah, the infamous thermal wheelbarrow . I believe I never shared a picture of ours. It's far less glamorous !

and I know it's not a chicken but I have to share a photo of the star of the show, the winning Welsh Cob stallion >6 years old
View attachment 3194188

A beautiful sturdy Welsh cob! We have quite a few smaller Welsh mountains and sport ponies in France, but not so many cobs, they are still much a confidential breeders thing.

Tax : spot the cat ? She's become friends with the chicks now, one predator less!

 

[Perris]

Tax for the show trash: Chirk is positively glowing in the morning sunshine