Got us some ex commercial hens. <3

[AntiqueB]

I wish we could adopt ex-batts in the US.

 

[ChikaInu]

It surprises me that you buy so much delicious food for the chickens. I would have thought the hotel has enough leftovers to dive into to take some treats out for the chickens.

I could probably get some fresh berries from the breakfast buffé, but that's about it.
I also don't buy these treats specifically for the chickens, they are for my spolied pheasants and the hens get to devour whatever the fancy ones don't finish off.

Not to mention how much fun it is to see what treat they appreciate most!

 

[ChikaInu]

I wish we could adopt ex-batts in the US.

I'm sure you can! Maybe it depends on your location but I am sure there are rescues in the US too.

 

[BDutch]

further to the last, there is currently a consultation open on changing the rules to allow some things currently banned. Not sure it will affect Scotland (devolved issue), where I think these rescues are, and it still prohibits kitchen waste if I remember aright, but anyway here's a link to a post I made about it, with a link to the consultation
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/uk-member-please-say-hi.655508/post-28392909

It is forbidden to collect kitchen waste and distribute it as animal food for pigs, chickens, etc. in my country. This has a reason. If it’s collected and stored for distribution the food can easily moult and rot.

As far as I know it is allowed to use (your own) fresh leftovers. At least if you have no commercial farm (250+ chickens). Nothing wrong with fresh leftovers as long as they aren’t fat or salty and chickens can choose what they want to eat.

 

[ChikaInu]

The chickens are chickening and just doing great! We now get an egg a day from both hens and ducks and they look amazing!

Here they are going bonkers over some corn on the cob. Not the best photo but look at them!

 

[ChikaInu]

Duckies are lined up for their treats! A lot more polite.

 

[townchicks]

I wish we could adopt ex-batts in the US.

I do think you can, it probably is a question if there is a commercial egg factory near you. There are rescues around as well, I adopted 3 hens this fall from a farm animal rescue group. They were not exbatts but they still needed a home. Try looking for chicken or farm animal rescues on the net.

 

[ChikaInu]

The chickens are chickening and just doing great! We now get an egg a day from both hens and ducks and they look amazing!

Here they are going bonkers over some corn on the cob. Not the best photo but look at them!
View attachment 4090053

Just the colour ot their combs and the silver in the feathers on their hoods. Every single one is beautiful!

I think I had around eight people coming in to see them while I was feeding them their treats this afternoon. Some wanted to hold one, some didn't... but quite a few simply didn't want to leave. None of them had chickens at home.

 

[BDutch]

I see your hens and ducks walk on chopped wood. Just want to warn you to be careful with it. Bc it can cause bumble foot by my knowledge. Better make part of the run with sand/ and not chopped wood everywhere they go.

 

[ChikaInu]

I see your hens and ducks walk on chopped wood. Just want to warn you to be careful with it. Bc it can cause bumble foot by my knowledge. Better make part of the run with sand/ and not chopped wood everywhere they go.

I understand the concern and would personally prefer dirt and sand as a substrate for them (my pheasants are on a dirt surface) but again this isn't something I can change.

I can make a suggestion for sure, but they tend to use the same woodchips that we get in for heating and it gets a new surface a couple of times a year or so. Not changed, just new stuff put on top. Underneath it is actually quite a rich mulch. The amount of worms you'll find in there is surprising!
Also there hasn't been a single case of bumble in the more than ten years they've kept chickens at the hotel.
To be honest I've never seen it IRL at all. Thank goodness!