There's an actual chicken board???????

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

Hiiiiiiiiiiii guys!

Where has this section been hiding???

First time chicken keeper here! Well...nearly! We are going to pick up four girls from the BHWT on Sunday!

So...a heads up, please? What sort of state will they be in? Apparantly they've been rescued from a caged environment, so I'm expecting baldness...I just want to prepare the kids, who are about as sensitive as me!

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

Is it against MN rules to share my blog post on here? I've started writing their story...?

[TheFillijonk]

Congratulations on your new girls. Chickens are the best.

Are you feeding them on layers mash? That's what they will have been fed on the farm. Please don't feed any scraps from your kitchen unless your kitchen is and has always been vegan - it is against the law. Chickens really don't need any extras anyway.

[AlakazamAlakazoom]

Ooh how exciting, how are they getting on now? We have 3 from BHWT, and after laying initially on arrival, they all then had a few weeks where they stopped, which we guess was during the intense feather re-growing period, plus when they were most bullied by our existing flock, who were most put out at the new arrivals. Once they were back to their glossy feathered selves & became more established they’ve been great layers, 3 a day. And a variety of personalities. Lovely to see them learning to scratch & run after scraps - when they first arrived they didn’t respond at all & now they fight over them with the most dominant hens. Will only ever have rescues from now on - they’re great!

[Ihaventgottimeforthis]

I have various thoughts on 'free range eggs' too - would be interested in seeing any articles. Hen behaviour and building design (and weather) can all conspire to ensure that some 'free range' hens may venture outside only on an occasional basis!
To be honest the whole industrial poultry sector leaves me a bit

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

Time did you see the article a few years ago on so called "Free Range" eggs?

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

HA!!!

Something I can't stand is people who try to force their views on people? Like I'm vegan (I have an egg/dairy alergy, and I don't like the taste of meat- so its a piece of pisd! The animal welfare stuff came afterwards iyswim) but I would never bang on about it! That's why I was so paranoid about answering the questions! 😂

They're getting their oen blog...they've inspired me to build a bloody site and get writing again! 😂😂😂😂

[Ihaventgottimeforthis]

Hens in 'enriched' cages are still battery hens, to all intents and purposes, I agree with you OP.
The fact people will still buy those eggs really disappoints me, but then people disappoint me all the time!
Well done for rescuing these, we've done it too and it's fab x

[Aprilshouldhavebeenmyname]

You are now officially a crazy chicken lady and are excused anything!!. Except your love of gherkins.
not envy.

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

Ohyes I'll try...I'm no expert, and can I apologize in advance, please? I never want toforce my views down anyone's throat, and this thread was not about that, I promise. If everyone on this thread is eating big macs for lunch, cool! Save me a gherkin 😂😂

Battery cages have been replaced by "enriched" cages since (I think) 2012. The new cages give each hen about a postcard-sized more space than before. They're still crammed in IMO.
But it really IS just MO.

How many times can you excuse yourself on one post? 😂😂😂

[PumpkinParent]

Big thumbs up from here too. My parents rehome a crate of ex-chicken farm hens every so often when the farm rotates its stock. It is really sad to see the birds when they first arrive but they come good in the end. To watch them tentatively peek out of their shed for the first time and then learn to scrat is quite beautiful. Humans have a responsibility to treat animals well and I wish the world didn't have such intensive farming methods.
So good on you and the family OP.

[Ohyesiam]

Just watched your video, they are very sweet. You will see their combs stand up and darken over the next few weeks as they get healthier.
They are lucky ladies.
Can I ask about the caged environment? I thought there were no longer batteries on the uk, although barn reared is quite grim enough, and free tang seems open to interpretation.
We got ex free range and they were quite bald warrens. Soon perked up though, and are now happy layers.

[Ohyesiam]

I thought the knitting thing was now a no no? Don’t know why though. They shouldn’t be cold at this time of year.
Ours get layers pellets and lots of foliage to rummage about in.
Be prepared to keep one separate if she is getting too pecked. Has only happened one on several lots with us though.

[Aprilshouldhavebeenmyname]

Wow they must be happy!! We got 12 neglected ones years ago that took a few days to lay!!
We have cats +dogs but nothing beats owning chickens imo!!
In times of stress they are thoroughly relaxing, just sitting having a chat!!

[Mountainsoutofmolehills]

Thank you. I love what you are doing. Really amazing.

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

Well we have three eggs this morning- didn't expect that!!!

[shiklah]

I have 6 rescues in my flock. They lay well but are foul tempered - which I like. Lovely girls.

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

The baldest one is Cousin It...obviously! 😂

[Aprilshouldhavebeenmyname]

Ah what lucky ladies!!
Have you named them yet?

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

They're HEEEEEEERE!!!!!!!

www.youtube.com/channel/UCB4QCYA968TqFuCFgtFwaag

[Murinae]

Love the names!

[Murinae]

I don’t use straw I use aubiose or easychick in the coop.

[Aprilshouldhavebeenmyname]

Wouldn't worry too much about cats, my 2 were scared of our chickens!!
Once our rottweiler got in the front garden where they lived, ran close ish and swerved at the last minute!! The chickens didn't flinch!! Knew she wouldn't catch one, though made sure it didn't happen again! My nerves couldn't have stood it!

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

Ohhhhh!!!!!!

Ours are Warrens...

Or they're all named Warren...

One of the above!

We've chosen names!!!!!!!

Motherclucker (MC for short)
Cluckamoose (Moose)
Cluckit (Kit)
Aaaaand...

Whothecluckisalice (Alice)

😂😂😂😂

[Murinae]

Don’t forget we want a photo! I was rung by the cat rescue people this week as they had rescued a chicken and didn’t know what to do with it so now I have one more little one in my small flock. No idea what kind it is. It’s very small and black!

[AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley]

TWO MORE SLEEPS!!!!!

We have straw, purple stuff, feeders, water thingies...now I just want them here!