Here Here to the BHWT! BHWT are great, and Marcella their vet has also given me advice and her number and even offered to see them if I could drive down. She's a star and really puts your mind at rest. As for the beaks well one of mine is a bit more mutilated than the rest, but she manages just fine...

Hi there and welcome to the forum You'll soon see that you'll be able to get lots of advice from people here, and they're really helpful. I also work similar hours to yourself, and keep my chickens in an outdoor run connected to their house. I would personally suggest that they have access to the ou...

I think it's each to their own, with what hens they choose, but personally ex-batteries are amazing.

They're cute, docile, funny, and when they get their first taste of the outdoors it brings a tear to your eye!!

I get daily eggs from mine, and they're lovely - what more could you ask for!!

Solihull is about 60 miles AnnaB - worth a trip if the current medication doesn't work out!!

Hi Melons When my girls were moulting, they were very lethargic and not that interested in food, so maybe she just needs a little time?? I don't know about you, but mine adore sweetcorn and raisins, regardless of whether they're feeling ill?? I know people use poultry spice to pep their chickens up,...

I'll have to post a picture of my hen bossy - after her moult in the winter, she took a while to grow back feathers near the base of the tail, and the others pecked. It turned into a bloddy mess - but I just separated her, put some vetzyme like powder on and it healed. She still has this bald patch ...

Bossy, Floppy Comb, Scraggy and The Other These were names I used to tell them apart in the beginning - but then they just stuck - they were supposed to have nice names like Amber and Hope - maybe next time!!!!! Thing is, I quite like Sausage, as when trying to hurry them along, that's what I call s...

Just had a look at the photos of your chicks!!! Bless them, they look great - makes me go all warm inside when people resuce ex-batts. I got 4 from BHWT also, and have had them for the past 1.5 years - they're fine although 2 are a bit poorly at the mo. Enjoy them, and I bet they love you for giving...

Hi all Thank you very much for your concern and well wishing. Well, I can tell you it's been a farcical nightmare!!! I will have to cut this long story short!!!! Went to see vet, didn't know anything, couldn't diagnose or treat - would advise after speaking to another vet, who also couldn't diagnose...

Thanks AnnaB, but they were terrible. I specifically asked for a vet that had experience with chickens, and he didn't. He didn't know what to do, and what was wrong, and said he'd have to speak to other vets in the area. I was still charged for a consultation though!! All is not lost though, as I em...

Very sad to hear your news Annab - trying hard not to cry. I have 4 ex-batteries, and Scraggy has just got a distended abdomen also. She's the little hop along of the group with dodgy hips, but is happy pottering about at her own pace. I know an organic free range chicken farmer, so he's given me so...