Ex batts wanted (East Sussex)

den hen · Post by **den hen** » 17 Aug 2008, 23:10

Hi all, looking for 6 ex batts in the East Sussex area. Awaiting response from bhwt and signed up with northlondon rescue. Anyone aware of any available sooner (next rescue could be Oct for northlondon rescue). I could travel into Kent.

Lost my last little brownie earlier this month and the garden is too quiet now...

Post by **wendy** » 18 Aug 2008, 08:05

Hi
Welcome to the forum.
I am afraid we are governed by the farmers and have to wait for them to release the birds. October is not too long to wait. I waited from June until 31st October for my first girls and they were worth every single second of waiting.
Wendy

Post by **Richard** » 18 Aug 2008, 08:54

Hello,

It's a shame, but Wendy is right. The Kent Co-Ordinator arranged for a pick up day a couple of month's back, then the Farmer changed their mind and she had to phone around loads of people who were all excited about getting them that Weekend, especially their Kids !

I waited about 12 weeks for my last five. I only got them then because some of the people on their list couldn't wait and brought Hybrids instead.

Be assured they won't forget you. The South East has the least.

Richard

bluebell · Post by **bluebell** » 18 Aug 2008, 11:09

Hi Den Hen - a warm welcome to the forum, by the way.

Great news that you are wanting to take on some ex-battery hens, they may arrive a little thread-bare but they will soon blossom into the lovely ladies we know they are.

If you have your name down for NLHR and have completed the application form on the website:

www.northlondonhenrescue.org.uk

then don't worry you will be on waiting list. )t'

Post by **p.penn** » 28 Aug 2008, 15:09

Hi Hen den - I'm sure october seems a long time away but its september in a couple of days! So it will be here in a flash!

Having read the accounts of the last NLHR rescue and seen pics of the rescued girls, I am SURE it will be worth the short wait!

Good luck with your girls when you get them - I look forward to news on the forum. :-D

den hen · Post by **den hen** » 29 Aug 2008, 22:19

Hi
Thanks to you all for your warm welcome and comments. I will wait until some of the girls are available for me. It seems like everyone knows someone selling pullets at the moment but I'm going to hang on until some ex batts are available.
Having read more on the battery and barn produced eggs, its now costing me a fortune for free range although they still don't taste as good as your own fresh ones. Still, having said that, my last hen had given up on laying for the last year or so!

I will be patient and resist the pullets at the show I am going to next week. Will let you all know how it goes.

Thanks to you all.

Post by **wendy** » 29 Aug 2008, 22:26

Good for you den hen, you will never regret it. They are just the greatest little hens.
Wendy

bluebell · Post by **bluebell** » 30 Aug 2008, 08:48

Well done Den Hen! )t'

There are a lot of reasons why hen keeping is a great 'hobby' but I think getting ex-battery hens especially makes you enjoy keeping them because on the one side you are saving them and letting them live life as they should have been living it from being chicks - the other thing is that it is truly wonderful to see them develop from scrawny, bald looking things into the beauties we know them to be.

I am really happy for you! Of course when you do get them piccies would be nice (hint, hint). :-D