The Day Has Arrived; I got my rescue girls!

[Aerliss]

Got up early this morning to set up everything nice for them, put the food in the trough, fill the waterer, put up the parasol (shed sits in full sun for part of the day, but should be shaded next year by some willows). And then we went out and picked them up.

They've come from a free range system, apparently, but they're still pretty scratty looking. One girl has a very bare bottom. The run is currently quite small, as they were supposed to be from a cage system and I wanted to give them more space gradually, but hey ho. I'll just order the additions a bit earlier than planned, I guess.

There are four, but one made a beeline for the nesting boxes. Five minutes later two more were trying to get in with her. There are three box, ladies!

I've left them alone to settle. Three of them are out in the run now, and they're enjoying some wholesome FF and grass. If they seem quite happy I'll give them an hour of free ranging tonight.

 

[Aerliss]

Next door's cat is sitting on the shed roof. The ladies are not impressed. This cat hasn't got a clue. They'll eat your face, mate. Stick to running away from my rabbits.

 

[christwodog]

I'm sure they will be quite happy with their new setup! Good for you for taking them in!

 

[The Phantom]

I would check them over for mites just to be safe. I bet they are so much happier!

 

[Kusanar]

Just FYI, "free range" in the commercial word means that they are not in cages, have 1 square foot or more of space per bird, and have a chance to see the outdoors (could be 1 pop door opening into a 10x10 pen outside for 5,000 hens) so they likely have never actually free ranged and probably still haven't had much space to move.

 

[Aerliss]

I would check them over for mites just to be safe. I bet they are so much happier!

They've been with the rescue for a week, and had a vet check. They're all good on that front. Gonna let them have some time to themselves before I start familiarising myself with a daily body check. Two are quite adventurous, but one is still hiding in the nest boxes.

I think I've found my Michonne and Daryl XD

 

[Aerliss]

Just FYI, "free range" in the commercial word means that they are not in cages, have 1 square foot or more of space per bird, and have a chance to see the outdoors (could be 1 pop door opening into a 10x10 pen outside for 5,000 hens) so they likely have never actually free ranged and probably still haven't had much space to move.

These girls actually had woodland. Minimum space indoors in the UK is 6 to a square metre, true, but outdoor is much higher. Barn systems on the other hand are less spacious.

Edit.

Found it; 4m2 of outdoor space per hen.

 

[Unexpected chicken lover]

Eeeek!!!! Love the names! Will you continue with THE WALKING DEAD theme in names
So wonderful you rescued them!!

 

[The Phantom]

They've been with the rescue for a week, and had a vet check. They're all good on that front. Gonna let them have some time to themselves before I start familiarising myself with a daily body check. Two are quite adventurous, but one is still hiding in the nest boxes.

I think I've found my Michonne and Daryl XD

That's good!

 

[Aerliss]

Eeeek!!!! Love the names! Will you continue with THE WALKING DEAD theme in names
So wonderful you rescued them!!

Carol, Maggie, Michonne, and Daryl. Four ladies* who have been through Hell and come out the other side stronger. I was going to call one Everdeen but it just didn't seem to fit... so one is going to be Daryl.