Ex-Battery Hens

[Darky]

Hullo!

I know a few people here keep chickens, so I was wondering if anyone here has ex-battery hens?

They're kept in awful, cramped conditions where every day they can hardly move as they fight for food and comfort, and they are basically egg-laying machines. At a mere 72 weeks old they are seen as useless and sent off to be killed. (Often put in cat and dog food, or pies and the like.)

So rescue places like Little Hen Rescue and Free At Last now rescue thousands upon thousands of ex-battery hens. They have to buy them from the farmers and then find homes for them, a bloody difficult and very admirable task.

My parents have wanted chickens for ages, so this seemed the best route to take. The majority of ex-bats continue to lay eggs and simply require space and a good home to grow and heal up.

Often they look very tatty with large amounts of feathers missing, sometimes with difficulties moving and keeping balance, but after love and care they end up looking like your average, healthy chicken!

My Dad has bought a lovely coop and built a run to attach to it and today we are going to pick up four ex-battery hen chickens. :'D

I'll be taking photos of their improvement, week by week, and am very excited! I love chooks.

[smudgley]

That's great news.

Plenty of photos please. :)

[calismum]

WHat a lovely idea. Look forward to lots of chook pics!

[angieh]

Excellent news that at least 4 battery hens will enjoy a far better life than before. Look forward to hearing how they get on Darky.

[dandysmom]

I already posted my pics request on your other thread. Those poor hens will feel as if they've gone to heaven after their previous awful life......

[Darky]

The dates got a bit mixed up and we're actually going today, not yesterday. XD

So expect lots of lovely chook photos this evening!

[smudgley]

The dates got a bit mixed up and we're actually going today, not yesterday. XD

So expect lots of lovely chook photos this evening!

I'll be waiting for those pictures :-D

[Darky]

Here are the four lovely ladies. ^_^

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l116/english_years/Chooks001.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l116/english_years/Chooks002.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l116/english_years/Chooks003.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l116/english_years/Chooks001.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l116/english_years/Chooks015.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l116/english_years/Chooks016.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l116/english_years/Chooks017.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l116/english_years/Chooks018.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l116/english_years/Chooks019.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l116/english_years/Chooks020.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l116/english_years/Chooks021.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l116/english_years/Chooks022.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l116/english_years/Chooks023.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l116/english_years/Chooks024.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l116/english_years/Chooks025.jpg

[dandysmom]

Poor things, they do look a bit tattered, and a little bewildered at their new surroundings! It must be wonderful to be able to move around freely and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine after their previous life. Well done you for rescuing them. Oh, I thought you were getting four? Have you named them yet?

[Darky]

There are four. XD

One is hiding in the first few photos, and in the photos of the three laying together.. The fourth is the last one in the nesting box. XD

We've only named two so far, Hatty and Limpet - still not sure what to call the other two.

[Mags]

Well done for rescuing them, they'll be so much happier in their new surroundings...

[alexgirl73]

oh bless 'em :D Mind you, they aren't as 'oven ready' as some I've seen, which is good.

[dandysmom]

There are four. XD

One is hiding in the first few photos, and in the photos of the three laying together.. The fourth is the last one in the nesting box. XD

We've only named two so far, Hatty and Limpet - still not sure what to call the other two.

Henrietta? Penelope?

[random]

Oh they look lovely! I have been wanting to do this for some time too. Do you know of any places in the north east?

[Darky]

Not sure to be honest!

Someone is bound to be able to tell you on the Ex-Battery Hen forum, though. C: http://exbatteryhens.com/index/



alexgirl73, my parents said they were going to call one of the hens 'Ovenready' - I protested. XD

[alexgirl73]

lol!! I have known it to be done, along with Korma, Jalfezi etc :lol:

[Leesy]

Awwww bless the poor little things they do lok all tatty, can`t wait to see there progress pics in weeks to come.
I certainly like the names for the hens that Alex has come up with;) :lol:

[angieh]

I am so pleased these ladies are going to have a lovely home once they are settled. Although their feathers are a bit tatty, I have seen much worse ex-battery. They don't look as if they have been de-beaked.

What about Eliza or Guinevere?

[random]

Thanks for that Darky, ill have a look tomorrow, all the best with your lovely ladies!

[Darky]

Thank you! C:

Got up this morning, and my Mother has named the other two. XD

Twiggy is the sweet girl with nearly no fail feathers and is very bald under her wings and on her legs, and 'Gabby' is... Well, who everyone says is gobby. XD

[calismum]

Poor girls look a tad bewildered but I'm sure they'll waste no time in getting to know their surroundings. Look forward to lots of pics showing their progress.

Love the names by the way.