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Post by benjiesmum on Mar 31, 2008 9:47:49 GMT 1
Well I have had my six ex-bats for a few weeks now. They are laying about three or four eggs between them a day, but I have kept them in a run in the lambing shed because the weather has been far to windy, rainy and cold to walk about with no clothes on!!! Today, was their first day out on the field as the sun came out and I thought it would be nice for them to feel the warmth of the sun on their backs for a while. The first one peeped out of the door and wasn't too sure what to do next. There is a lot of mud round the lambing shed too, so they were picking up their feet and clucking a bit - not used to anything like mud on their toes! One of them then found a worm and the instinct was there straight away. She picked it up and ran back into the shed clutching it in her beak! She was so excited! I think she finally managed to eat it. They still are in a very sorry state but today, at least, they are now truly free-range chucks! They won't feather up properly until they moult but will get some new feathers soon, according to an article I read about them. I hope that you enjoy hearing about my ex-bats!
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Post by bramble on Apr 23, 2008 9:21:44 GMT 1
Another great set of photos Benjiesmum, What a great job your doing, I would love to do something similar but don't have a garden big enough.
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Ex-Bats
Apr 23, 2008 17:30:05 GMT 1
Post by bod on Apr 23, 2008 17:30:05 GMT 1
That's a really happy ending for them, hope they continue to enjoy their new life, wonder if they realise how lucky they are.
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Ex-Bats
Apr 23, 2008 22:34:16 GMT 1
Post by deltinglass on Apr 23, 2008 22:34:16 GMT 1
I am sure your hens are MUCH happier now benjiesmum - well done you for rescuing them
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Post by Fifi on Apr 24, 2008 8:45:45 GMT 1
Great stuff, Benji - nice to hear about how they're getting on.
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Ex-Bats
Apr 24, 2008 19:18:20 GMT 1
Post by benjiesmum on Apr 24, 2008 19:18:20 GMT 1
They go from strength to strength that's for sure! But one of them is so naked that she sits next to lambie (bottle fed) in the lambing shed and cuddles up to her. I left the heat lamp on for lambie originally, but have left it on all the time now for little chilly chuck! Apparently there is a waiting list for ex-bats now - such is the outrage of folk who saw that programme that I didn't watch because I haven't the stomach for upsetting stuff.
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Ex-Bats
Apr 24, 2008 19:44:40 GMT 1
Post by hampdenquilts on Apr 24, 2008 19:44:40 GMT 1
Forgive my ignorance, but what is an ex-bat? an ex-battery hen I figure, but why is it called that, and where did their dearie little feathers go? How did yoiu come to rescue them, BM? (sorry if I missed that part earlier)
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Ex-Bats
Apr 24, 2008 20:39:12 GMT 1
Post by benjiesmum on Apr 24, 2008 20:39:12 GMT 1
Forgive my ignorance, but what is an ex-bat? an ex-battery hen I figure, but why is it called that, and where did their dearie little feathers go? How did yoiu come to rescue them, BM? (sorry if I missed that part earlier) Yes hq - they are ex battery hens that I put my name down for from the Battery Hen Welfare Trust a charity that rehomes ex-bats, as I call them! Here they are: www.bhwt.org.uk/The feathers have all gone because they are kept in tiny cages where they only have the space of an A4 piece of paper so their feathers get knocked and rubbed until they have no feathers at all. Their feathers will grow back eventually! They stand up all their lives and never see the light of day until they are disposed of. I got mine so they could chubble about as nature intended! They are enjoying life but are a little bit cold at the moment in this inclement weather. But they have a heat lamp to stand under and plenty of food. They have to learn to be hens because they have never scratted about or dust-bathed or been outside in their lives. So, you see I am very happy that I have been able to take them in!!
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Post by hampdenquilts on Apr 25, 2008 0:26:32 GMT 1
That is really wonderful of you. How much pleasure you must get from them, and of course, their lives are ifinitely better. I am going to check out whether we have such a program here. My parents and granparents raised chickens (sold the eggs) by the hundreds. I can remember gathering the (darn) eggs when I was a kid. still have the scars to prove it!! And traveling with my grandfather in his truck delivering the eggs to his customers. I wouldn't want that many again, but to rescue some chickies?? That would be great!
Good job!
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Post by maree on Dec 12, 2008 0:57:04 GMT 1
Hampden quilts has been very quite lately.......did you ever find a rescue programme for chooks in your area?
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Post by benjiesmum on Dec 12, 2008 6:16:24 GMT 1
I was thinking that Maree! Shame I was hoping to hear if she'd managed to source any ex-bats too!
Mine are now all feathered up and look lovely. Not laying though!!
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Ex-Bats
Dec 28, 2008 17:53:37 GMT 1
Post by hampdenquilts on Dec 28, 2008 17:53:37 GMT 1
I had a rough year, but am trying to get back some normalcy. Or whatever counts as normal now. I looked for ex-bats and was astonished to find a whole rescue world that I knew nothing about. Lots of chicks, ponies, dogs, cats, etc. The chicks are pretty far away from me, but I am still hoping to rescue some. There is a waiting list here as well. Since there is so much interest, you would think the farmers (?) who do this to chicks would stop. I am now only eating free-range chicken and eggs, hormone free milk and milk products, including beef raised hormone-free. Thank you for opening my eyes to the bad things that exist. I am spreading the word to the people I know.
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Ex-Bats
Dec 29, 2008 18:24:25 GMT 1
Post by benjiesmum on Dec 29, 2008 18:24:25 GMT 1
Glad you are spreading the word! Yes, there is a waiting list here for ex-bats too! I waited months for mine. But it was worth the wait - they are the funniest chickens I have ever had. Not sure what they make of the cold at the moment but they are nicely feathered up now!
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Ex-Bats
Mar 17, 2009 17:27:36 GMT 1
Post by Fifi on Mar 17, 2009 17:27:36 GMT 1
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Ex-Bats
Mar 17, 2009 22:05:18 GMT 1
Post by benjiesmum on Mar 17, 2009 22:05:18 GMT 1
Yes, I heard this on the news today - thought it was so good!
Funny but a similar story was around at Christmas about a retirement home doing the same thing! Great colours that chicken is sporting too!
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