Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Ladies-Eight]

Matilda has gone as have two Legbars (not Fret) and two of the larger Ex Battery hens. I have seen some pictures of where they've gone and from what little I can see it looks okay.

Removing the top hen from the group is not the way I would go about it. The remaining hens were much more aggressive than usual and I had to break up a couple of fights. Henry was a bit subdued I thought.

Didn't get above freezing. C has broken the water containor I assume by smashing the ice. The allotment tap is frozen solid. Feed all over the ground. Rats running under the pallet C chucked in there.
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Slightly more acceptable.


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As a reminder to the reader and myself I need to make something clear. What you have seen in the pictures of the chickens is two or three hours of their day.
The other twentyone hours they are bored, often hungry, trying to keep out of the wind and generally not leading the life you've seen in the pictures.

Just about everything bad I had always thought about coop and run chicken keeping has happened here. It's been a vivid illustration of how a few simple word can change the welfare of the chicken.

Livestock: suddenly there is no individual chicken and for many the welfare of their livestock falls far below the welfare of their pets.

exbatts: worn out has beens that we are doing a favour for by taking them in.

They are all just as lovely and just as interesting as any other chickens I've met.
There is no way C can or it seems even willing to give the chickens adequate care.
I've made a difference, but not enough of a difference to state that they wouldn't be better off elsewhere.
I would like for chicken to never again be kept at the allotments while C holds the licence or has anything to do with the running of it.

I will miss seeing Matilda, I hope she took her chair.

I understand what you are telling all of us, but we don't have to like it.

Please keep us updated on the happenings.

I don't cry very often but I'm near to tears after reading this and trying to write about it.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Ex Batts good evening one and all!

I will be missing Matilda and the others.

53 clear 69% humidity feels like 53 rain 0%.

It was a beautiful day while we were out today.

Have a great day!

 

[micstrachan]

Matilda has gone as have two Legbars (not Fret) and two of the larger Ex Battery hens. I have seen some pictures of where they've gone and from what little I can see it looks okay.

Removing the top hen from the group is not the way I would go about it. The remaining hens were much more aggressive than usual and I had to break up a couple of fights. Henry was a bit subdued I thought.

Didn't get above freezing. C has broken the water containor I assume by smashing the ice. The allotment tap is frozen solid. Feed all over the ground. Rats running under the pallet C chucked in there.
View attachment 3351422
View attachment 3351424View attachment 3351421
Slightly more acceptable.
View attachment 3351419

Good grief. Poor chickens, especially Henry. It chokes me up what they are going through. You have done wonders for them.

 

[micstrachan]

As a reminder to the reader and myself I need to make something clear. What you have seen in the pictures of the chickens is two or three hours of their day.
The other twentyone hours they are bored, often hungry, trying to keep out of the wind and generally not leading the life you've seen in the pictures.

Just about everything bad I had always thought about coop and run chicken keeping has happened here. It's been a vivid illustration of how a few simple word can change the welfare of the chicken.

Livestock: suddenly there is no individual chicken and for many the welfare of their livestock falls far below the welfare of their pets.

exbatts: worn out has beens that we are doing a favour for by taking them in.

They are all just as lovely and just as interesting as any other chickens I've met.
There is no way C can or it seems even willing to give the chickens adequate care.
I've made a difference, but not enough of a difference to state that they wouldn't be better off elsewhere.
I would like for chicken to never again be kept at the allotments while C holds the licence or has anything to do with the running of it.

Understood, Shad. Well said. It still saddens me that their tribe us breaking up, but such is life.

 

[micstrachan]

I clicked like but I feel like crying.

Me, too.

 

[micstrachan]

I will miss seeing Matilda, I hope she took her chair.

I understand what you are telling all of us, but we don't have to like it.

Please keep us updated on the happenings.

I don't cry very often but I'm near to tears after reading this and trying to write about it.

Yep.

I will be missing Matilda and the others.

Same here.

 

[Sequel]

Most times people would eliminate predators and have an outdoor dog to guard the livestock.. nowadays most people can't do either legally

And they would be there working around the place. Or someone would be if the man had to walk 12 miles to the sawmill for his 12 hour shift. Uphill both ways!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Hey all gave to say I still do not name the chickens but for my rooster Smudge.
We made a agreement at least I talked to them. Your job is to lay eggs, Smudge has to be a good rooster to you all. He is..
We have talked recently about being soup, empty threat.

 

[ManueB]

Matilda has gone as have two Legbars (not Fret) and two of the larger Ex Battery hens. I have seen some pictures of where they've gone and from what little I can see it looks okay.

I also hope the improvement of their housing make up for the separation. Do you know if they will integrate an existing flock or just be on their own ?

I'm so sad for Henry and Mathilda. And worried for Henry .

Henry and Matilda.

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They are all just as lovely and just as interesting as any other chickens I've met

Well, they have won you over then because I remember a debate about them not being real chickens.

I also wish that no chickens would be kept in such conditions. Don't underestimate what you did for them. I agree it's not enough, but last year they were dropping dead regularly at that time of year.

 

[ManueB]

And they would be there working around the place. Or someone would be if the man had to walk 12 miles to the sawmill for his 12 hour shift. Uphill both ways!

It makes a world of difference for me to be at home all day with the chickens. In a way, it compensates the fact that I'm not very good learning about their health and biology, because I can see anything wrong on the spot. Our main predators are raptors and our constant presence is the only reason no chickens have been killed yet.