I always wondered if Little Maggie, from the last NLHR rescue, had been hatched in the battery. What do you think? She laid her first egg today, no bigger than my thumb nail (Point-of-Lay?) She has such tiny legs and feet, and is about half normal size, this is what made me first wonder. This is her...

My four new ones are from the July rescue and are looking scrummy now, a couple have Gentian Violet bottoms because of continuous pecking, but otherwise they are looking good. Even tiny Maggie has feathers now (she was the little bald one that I really thought we would lose) No pecking now either, a...

I like Silkies, but are the cockerels quiet?

I have always wanted a cockerel, are they ok with ex-batts though, ex-batts being quite fragile?

My OH won't be pleased, he likes being the only 'Boy' in the house!

Haven't been on for a few days, life got in the way again.

Well done Katt....they are brilliant, end Sept (when have a few pennies) will be buying some copper ones from you. I wish I had thought of it!!

Oh, my life! That was a bold brave step, well done you! Do keep asking questions it is the only way to get the right answers to give them the best care, do browse previous topics on this forum, especially on Poultry and Bird health, because we don't all have the answers, but someone will. I can't an...

That is so sad,but at least she had lots of love that last 2 weeks, how awful! Our Little Maggie is now doing well, she is very very small (not quite as small as Little Hen, luckily,) but happy and eating for Britain. I don't think she will ever be big enough to lay an egg, but she is georgeous and ...

As long as you have perches and space for them to sleep on leave them!
I have 2 squashed into each nesting box and two in a huddle on a perch, they like it, it is their choice.

I am very sorry, it's horrible when they go.
Lots of love from us,

xxxxxxx

Nettles and Yorkie

Mo...could it be where the humans fetch the ball?

Just kidding, someone give me a slap!

What a brilliant article, our first group of girls last year took just a few days to act like normal chickens. Our latest ones have taken 2 weeks and are in a far worse conditon.

Wendy, your tact and subtlety is amazing!!!!!

New ex-batts do tend to do that because they don't know what to do. In a few weeks they work out how to nest in it and they do it really neatly too!

We never had red mite until a few weeks ago, it's a nightmare and I do loathe the smell of Jeyes fluid and I hate the dust from the Powder even worse. But it does all work, eventually.

God, now I'm scratching....again!

Thanks you lot!!!

All six girlies are free ranging from dawn til dusk. The garden looks good because it is so rustic, but I can't have plants pots = dust baths, or any small delicate plants = for scratting! I'm pretty sure if I had a greenhouse they would want that too! And knowing how soft (stupid) I am, I would let...

Noticed the Hellmann's ad's? Theyv'e gone free range too!

I have emailed them to say well done as I have previously sent lots telling them otherwise.

Wendy....drip drip isn't just a theory! It's working!

I cannot believe I missed this post!

That's amazing, guess what I will be trying tomorrow?

4 new ex-batts with 2 older ex-batts, lots of scuffles, think you may have found an answer here.

That is just brilliant!!!