North London Hen Rescue - hens coming out on 26-27 July

[bluebell]

Hoorah - One week and counting till next rescue by North London Hen Rescue. I'm really excited about helping next week, it's the thought of all those lovely ladies who will be 'free' this time next week.

I'm also thinking about the unlucky ones who will be left behind :cry:

Anyone getting their ladies next week via NLHR?

[teenee60]

Hi bluebell, we also get our girls next weekend,really frantic activity today!!!!The weather must have known we had a fair bit of work to do,and the sun is shineing.
Gary,(26yr old son with learning difficulties)is really buzzing,he is really excited,although he only wanted "proper"chickens,not ex-batts lol......goodness knows what his image of them are,he doesnt get the concept,even though he avidly watched HFW & J O.
i wonder if he thinks when i say they will have feathers missing and be scrawney,they look like the chickens we used to buy oven ready!!!
oh well the world acording to Gary can be interesting!!!
Tina

[wendy]

Hi Tina.
Some do look oven ready, with just a few head feathers.
I understand these chickens may not be as good as those we rescued in May.
I am sure you can pick the ones you want, so you can get the better feathered ones, so as not to worry Gary too much.
Wendy

[bluebell]

Hi Tina - are you collecting from Wendy, or someone else?

Good luck with the new ladies. I hope your Gary really likes them. One thing I can tell you is that they will, in a short period of time, wrap themselves around your hearts. Bless them - and bless you and your family for getting some ex-batts.

[teenee60]

Hi bluebell,from Joanne at Hellaby (sheffield)
Gary & Ian (hubby/dad) are as we speak putting the netting on the run,they are building the run on our patio,then taking it back down and re-assembling at the plot,no electric for drill,tools all here so it seems a bit of hassle at the moment but will be easier that way,they been at it all day!!But whilst the sun shines
Tina

[wendy]

It all adds to the excitement. Tina
Wendy

[Teasal]

I have asked for 12 girls from the North London Hen Rescue - I will be collecting them from Manchester next Sunday.

I have had two lots of ex battery hens recently, and they are all doing really well on my smallholding - free ranging with my other hens and menagerie. I know I am fortunate to have land for them to go on, but I keep adding to my little flock, and now have 20 hens, 2 RIR cockerels, and two 16 week old silkies ......!!!

[wendy]

Hello Teasal.
Welcome to the forum.
Your place sounds ideallic for the new ex battery girls.
You probably know, but keep the boys away for awhile. Their bones aren't strong enough to start with, for an amorous males attention.
Well done on getting them
Wendy

[bluebell]

Hi Tina -

Joanne is just 'down the road' from us. Hopefully we will get to meet up with her one day. Well, Tina, get those lads working while you can - cos don't know how long the weather is going to be like this - it's glorious today!

Hi Teasal - welcome to the forum. Great to hear you are also getting some ladies from Carly at North London Hen Rescue.

Hope to see some piccies soon from you lovely folk

[Teasal]

Yes, don't worry, I do keep them well away from the two Charlies for a few weeks. They are also unable to get on the perches for a while as well, but I was amazed at home quickly the last ex batts perked up once out in the sun. Its so nice to see them lay out in the field with their wings outstretched feeling the sun.

Sadly, when I let the first lot of girls out for the first time, one collapsed and died on the way out of the pop hole. I was so sad that it had never had the chance to go outside, but at least it had a couple of weeks being able to walk round a roomy hen shed, which was something.

[wendy]

That is sad, so near and yet so far. It breaks your heart doesn't it.
It is surprising what a bit of sunshine and fresh air does for them doesn't it.
Does us good to, to see them floursh so well.
Wendy

[Teasal]

I have had my Rehomer's Receipt for my 12 hens, and the address to collect them from next weekend, but it says the time and day is to be confirmed with the co ordinator. I have e mailed the address on the receipt, but my email was returned ....will the co ordinator contact me, do you think, before the weekend, as there was no phone number of the contact at my local rescue point?

[wendy]

Hiya.
Who was the co ordinator ?
Wendy

[Teasal]

Marianne, is the name of the lady who is the contact for the Manchester rescue point. I have the address where I am to go, but obviously I do not know which day or time - it just says late Saturday 26th or Sunday 27th.

[wendy]

I will see what I can find out for you.
Bear with me.
Wendy