The Chicken thread

[y2blade]

I got 2 FOC ex-battery hens yesterday (we have had chickens before, but none in the last year)
they have settled in very quickly and have had 2 eggs from them now already (one last night and another had been layed by lunchtime today)

they look a bit scraggly (but in good condition health wise)
give them a couple of weeks and they will look a lot better (we have had some very good looking ex-battery hens in the past)






they are great to watch, both of them are very friendly, no bothered at all by me or the dog getting in amongst them

Got Chickens?
show us yours please

[y2blade]

no one else has Chickens on here?

[tenex]

My squad.Totally free range and lay everywhere.
(The dogs are good at finding the eggs.)

[thenewf]

I have two ex batterys. Loads of character and I love them. Only one laying now though.

[y2blade]

tenex said:

My squad.Totally free range and lay everywhere.
(The dogs are good at finding the eggs.)

good looking birds you have there

[tenex]

y2blade said:

tenex said:

My squad.Totally free range and lay everywhere.
(The dogs are good at finding the eggs.)

good looking birds you have there

In actual fact the rooster is totally neurotic! But they are all big and "streetwise". This is essential here for survival.
Unfortunately ex-batts can't cope.(tried it twice).
I think they are Neiderherrin(speeling)/Light Sussex crosses and half of them were reared by a wild pheasant!!!
You had a pretty fine bunch too.

[y2blade]

thanks

I'd forgotten how nice they are to just sit and watch...was out in the garden early with a brew and the dog for about half an hour before heading to work just taking in the silence and watching the girls scratch around



I think I'm getting old

[y2blade]

I've had a busy afternoon in the garden....the girls love their new home

[pistonchris]

That is a lovley size run i would love one that big for my rabbits.

[Japveesix]

That's a beast of a run y2blade, you could fit about 15 more recharged batteries in there

Nice black and white chooks up there as well, don't recognise the breed (are they light Sussex?)

Here's my folks three hens. They live very happily in a fairly little urban garden (tried to make the run as varied and interesting as possible, including enrichment feeders etc ) and most of the time we get 3 eggs a day

I miss them since I've moved away, great to have around when lazing or eating in the garden in the evenings and weekends:

Bonnie (Rhode Rock), Cilla (Silver Sussex) and Dusty (Blue Bell)


They are best friends with the old cat...




Generally free roam the whole garden whenever anyone is about. Think they'd love a bigger garden and a load more chickens (ideally Ex-bats) but not going to happen any time soon

[y2blade]

good looking Birds you have there mate

I might treat myself to a couple of "nice looking" ones, I really like those of yours

[tenex]

Japveesix said:

Nice black and white chooks up there as well, don't recognise the breed (are they light Sussex?)

I didn't get it quite right last time.
They are Neiderrhiner/ light Sussex crosses.
Current status is one has gone broody somewhere in about 5 acres of gorse/bracken.
I've seen her twice in the last 3 weeks. She is now "overdue". If she doesn't appear soon I'll have to go looking with the dogs.(trained gundogs so no harm will befall her.)
She's probably ok. There's plenty wild food about at this time of year.
Will post pics if/when she appears.

[tenex]

Interesting few days with the chooks.

One went missing 3 weeks ago presumed dead.
She re-appeared on Sunday.



With 12 chicks.

Last night there was torrential rain and the smallest one must have been pushed out of the box. I picked it up 'dead' this morning but felt its toes flex as it was going in the bin.
Change of plan. Into a fan oven at 40c. It tried to lift its head after about 15 mins. So I got the camera.


15mins.

It got stronger and after an hour transferred it to a mixing bowl.It was still weak.It was gaping slightly and still couldn't open its eyes. I put some water down its throat with a dropper.


1 hour.

Progress was now rapid and after 2hours was ready to go back to mum.



That was all first thing this morning. Another pic taken a few minutes ago.



Tough little bird. (It's the one bottom right.)

I hope this has brightened up your Tuesday. It has mine.

[Jasandjules]

That has put a smile on my face.

[Karyn]

A story interesting enough to have had the other half's attention during the football start! Well, anthems...



Good work, OP! Let there be life!

[Mubby]

i dont personally have chookies but a friend does, here are some pics for the chookie fans!

asleep lol








yes that is a giant bunny lol

[sunbeam alpine]

That's the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog!

[Japveesix]

Tenex, do you actually keep a rooster yourself or did your chicken just wander off and find one for herself?

What do you plan on doing with all the chicks once they get chicken sized?

Nice pics and a nice little story

[y2blade]

tenex said:

Interesting few days with the chooks.

One went missing 3 weeks ago presumed dead.
She re-appeared on Sunday.



With 12 chicks.

Last night there was torrential rain and the smallest one must have been pushed out of the box. I picked it up 'dead' this morning but felt its toes flex as it was going in the bin.
Change of plan. Into a fan oven at 40c. It tried to lift its head after about 15 mins. So I got the camera.


15mins.

It got stronger and after an hour transferred it to a mixing bowl.It was still weak.It was gaping slightly and still couldn't open its eyes. I put some water down its throat with a dropper.


1 hour.

Progress was now rapid and after 2hours was ready to go back to mum.



That was all first thing this morning. Another pic taken a few minutes ago.



Tough little bird. (It's the one bottom right.)

I hope this has brightened up your Tuesday. It has mine.

wow, excellent

[theshrew]

My mate has 4 ex battery hens they give him 3-4 eggs per day all year round he was telling me apparently the eggs are really nice to.