Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Perris]

Here's hoping that the folklore about candlemas is correct, as it's really cold and grey here today!

(If candlemas be mild and bright, winter's due a second bite. If candlemas be cold and grey, winter's surely gone away. And check your stacks on candlemas day: you still need half your straw and half your hay.)

 

[BDutch]

What I've enjoyed most at the allotments has been caring for the Ex Battery hens. There is just nothing like watching these poor creatures learn that there is more to chicken life than bare floors. feed trays and early death. My heart wants to go back to keeping Ex Battery hens, preferably with a Red Sex Link rooster that has ranged. There are a few around. I know where I could pick one up tomorrow if I wished.

Yes I've improved the lives of Henry, Fret and Carbon and Mow and Dig could have hatched into much worse circumstances. Yes I care for them deeply, but thinking about Lima and the wonderfull transformation she underwent at the allotments and many of the others who tend to come to mind when I think of that time, the satsfaction and feeling that I have given rather than taken has so far been unmatched.

Ex Battery chickens are not for everyone. Many try and end up saying never again, it was all too heartbreaking. I'm still standing and the allotments with me getting them out for a few hours makes a massive difference to their last years.
There you have it. A manwho feels he may have lost his direction.

Maybe it’s time to search for something else then? Choose the direction where your heart goes?.
Would working in a ex battery rescue organisation be more your cup of tea?

Maybe search for new volunteers who like to set up a new rescue plot at the allotment or maybe even somewhere else?

There are so many ‘pensionado’s’ as we call them. Not real old but active 55+ people that don’t work in a regular job anymore. Who love chickens and do have the commitment to participate in something worthwhile. I bet you’re not the only one in your district who has no garden/land but loves chickens.

 

[ManueB]

My friend who keeps Light Sussex chickens called me up and said he was coming to Bristol to do a bit of shopping and asked if I was going to be at the allotments. He doesn't come to Bristol often but when he does we try to meet up.
We got chatting about chickens and he mentioned that I didn't seem particularly pleased with the current set up. I've known him a long time and I told him what was and is on my mind that I haven't mentioned to anyone else.
I'm not sure I've done the right thing with the chickens.
I've done the free range bit with heritage breeds and mixes. I love it under the right circumstances but that's not what I'm dealing with at the allotments.
I am completely against the coop and run chicken keeping model.
Getting them out for a few hours each day helps, but it just isn't the same as dawn to dusk ranging on a large property.
What I've enjoyed most at the allotments has been caring for the Ex Battery hens. There is just nothing like watching these poor creatures learn that there is more to chicken life than bare floors. feed trays and early death. My heart wants to go back to keeping Ex Battery hens, preferably with a Red Sex Link rooster that has ranged. There are a few around. I know where I could pick one up tomorrow if I wished.

Yes I've improved the lives of Henry, Fret and Carbon and Mow and Dig could have hatched into much worse circumstances. Yes I care for them deeply, but thinking about Lima and the wonderfull transformation she underwent at the allotments and many of the others who tend to come to mind when I think of that time, the satsfaction and feeling that I have given rather than taken has so far been unmatched.

Ex Battery chickens are not for everyone. Many try and end up saying never again, it was all too heartbreaking. I'm still standing and the allotments with me getting them out for a few hours makes a massive difference to their last years.
There you have it. A manwho feels he may have lost his direction.

I was under the impression that before Fret sat, you had tried searching for ex-battery hens, but that every place you found compromised biosecurity.

 

[Molpet]

Here's hoping that the folklore about candlemas is correct, as it's really cold and grey here today!

(If candlemas be mild and bright, winter's due a second bite. If candlemas be cold and grey, winter's surely gone away. And check your stacks on candlemas day: you still need half your straw and half your hay.)

We have ground hog day today. If he sees his shadow 6 more weeks of winter. If he doesn't, spring is on its way.
Cloudy today and yesterday 55f was close to record high temperature. Meteorologist saying next few weeks warmer than normal. Above freezing.

 

[HiEverybirdy]

We have ground hog day today. If he sees his shadow 6 more weeks of winter. If he doesn't, spring is on its way.
Cloudy today and yesterday 55f was close to record high temperature. Meteorologist saying next few weeks warmer than normal. Above freezing.

The breaking news is that Punxutawny Phil didn't see his shadow this morning, so he's in agreement with candlemas. Early spring it is. Wonder if they agree every year.

 

[Perris]

Punxutawny Phil

who?

 

[Molpet]

who?

Phil is the name of the ground hog on the east coast of USA.
Woodstock Willie is the name of the ground hog they use by me in the middle of USA


https://wgntv.com/celebratingskilli...7a9xNVjt3NeTiEReBCXeFu9fItvizrbpvyelo7xAv7uAE

 

[Perris]

And how does 'the' groundhog get chosen? Is it a sort of Dali Lama of groundhogs (of which there are really quite a lot in the USA if memory serves correct)? Or am I taking the whole thing far too seriously?

 

[Sally PB]

There you have it. A manwho feels he may have lost his direction.

It's still there, in your heart.

Sometimes I've found my way forward by looking back at where I've been.

 

[Molpet]

And how does 'the' groundhog get chosen? Is it a sort of Dali Lama of groundhogs (of which there are really quite a lot in the USA if memory serves correct)? Or am I taking the whole thing far too seriously?

Basically yes like the Dali llama , only it's in fun . well not fun for the ground hog.
Seems like most states have a prognosticating ground hog that they wake up and shove in front of a crowd and cameras. A few years ago in the state of Wisconsin, the ground hog bit the Mayor's ear . He was supposed to whisper the forecast. . Most places have a scroll that's read.