Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Mother of Chaos]

…I've started looking at the local advertisements for unwanted chickens and made contact with a couple of Ex Battery rescue centers.

What a wonderful idea.

 

[BDutch]

And Shad, of course, sorry you had to lose Fret too soon.
You have improved her life at the allotment so much, and have given her the opportunity to hatch and teach several chicks.

 

[RoyalChick]

Three hours today. Grey with drizzle.
C euthanized Fret today.
I've written a t various points in this thread that trying to ensure Henry had a better life in his senior years was my main objective. I made a wonderful friend and buried him.

I don't think Fret got over Henry's death which made the neurological problems more difficult to deal with. Having fits and wry neck is one thing, not eating any solids for three days after eating not enough from the moment she first sat to hatch just made things worse. Barking Bracket with similar symptoms ate like a horse when she wasn't rolling around or star gazing and was young enough to have the stamina to keep up with the tribe and to the casual onlooker, lead a normal life.

I'm devastatingly sad about what happened to Fret and will always wonder if I should have done things I didn't. I think the feeling is common for many of us.

Now there are two and two isn't enough.
I've rejected the idea of taking a cockerel and even a hen with him from my friend who keeps Light Sussex chickens. I want to be able to provide whatever comes to the field with a better life than they life, or death, they would have with their current keepers. That means rescues and/or Ex Battery hens.

A further practical and moral problem is many heritage breeds are artificial and the breed is only kept going for the backyard keeper. The vast majority of these breeds would have died out years ago, but instead they been isolated, bred to produce more eggs, or more meat and while an extreme view perhaps, being turned into more colourful production hens. I don't want to be part of that. There are good breeders but very few.

I've started looking at the local advertisements for unwanted chickens and made contact with a couple of Ex Battery rescue centers.
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[Ribh]

Three hours today. Grey with drizzle.
C euthanized Fret today.
I've written a t various points in this thread that trying to ensure Henry had a better life in his senior years was my main objective. I made a wonderful friend and buried him.

I don't think Fret got over Henry's death which made the neurological problems more difficult to deal with. Having fits and wry neck is one thing, not eating any solids for three days after eating not enough from the moment she first sat to hatch just made things worse. Barking Bracket with similar symptoms ate like a horse when she wasn't rolling around or star gazing and was young enough to have the stamina to keep up with the tribe and to the casual onlooker, lead a normal life.

I'm devastatingly sad about what happened to Fret and will always wonder if I should have done things I didn't. I think the feeling is common for many of us.

Now there are two and two isn't enough.
I've rejected the idea of taking a cockerel and even a hen with him from my friend who keeps Light Sussex chickens. I want to be able to provide whatever comes to the field with a better life than they life, or death, they would have with their current keepers. That means rescues and/or Ex Battery hens.

A further practical and moral problem is many heritage breeds are artificial and the breed is only kept going for the backyard keeper. The vast majority of these breeds would have died out years ago, but instead they been isolated, bred to produce more eggs, or more meat and while an extreme view perhaps, being turned into more colourful production hens. I don't want to be part of that. There are good breeders but very few.

I've started looking at the local advertisements for unwanted chickens and made contact with a couple of Ex Battery rescue centers.
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I'm so sorry about Fret. She was a pretty lady & one of my favourites.

 

[Ribh]

I've started looking at the local advertisements for unwanted chickens and made contact with a couple of Ex Battery rescue centers.

You sure about this Shad? You know as well as I do that rescues are likely to have issues sooner rather than later & have shorter lives. You are probably emotionally stronger than I was. I found rescuing devastating.

 

[Perris]

I'm devastatingly sad about what happened to Fret

I can imagine that you're gutted. Try to resist the 'what if' thoughts. Her passing wasn't your fault; most chickens don't live to 7+ years.

I want to be able to provide whatever comes to the field with a better life than they life, or death, they would have with their current keepers. That means rescues and/or Ex Battery hens.

A laudable ambition.

I've started looking at the local advertisements for unwanted chickens and made contact with a couple of Ex Battery rescue centers.

What will you do about quarantine? Will the new fenced area work for that?

 

[Shadrach]

You sure about this Shad?

Yes I'm sure. I know the Ex Battery hens don't live long and that is in part why I'm leaning towards keeping them. I'm 70 and probably won't manage another ten years at the field.
For Ex Battery hens just the coop and run would be a vast improvement on their past keeping circumstances. Out in the extended run will be paradise compared to before.
Another advantage with Ex Battery hens is they are usually disease free so quarantine doesn't need to be as strict.
I really enjoyed looking after the Ex Battery hens that were at the field; When they die it's usually fast which is easier on my heart.

 

[Shadrach]

I can imagine that you're gutted. Try to resist the 'what if' thoughts. Her passing wasn't your fault; most chickens don't live to 7+ years.

A laudable ambition.

What will you do about quarantine? Will the new fenced area work for that?

I have the cage in the extended run which I plan to grow fruit bushes in. At this time of year a simple shelter for a couple of hens is easy to do. The cage is the most secure place at the field. It's chainlink with chicken wire and it's got a chainlink roof.

 

[fuzzi]

I have the cage in the extended run which I plan to grow fruit bushes in. At this time of year a simple shelter for a couple of hens is easy to do. The cage is the most secure place at the field. It's chainlink with chicken wire and it's got a chainlink roof.

And that will give everyone a chance to get acquainted.

 

[HiEverybirdy]

So very sorry about Fret. What a dynamic lady she was. Nice to think she's somewhere foraging with her Carbon twin and Tull, or wearing Henry as a hat. Peaceful journey to her.