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Would anyone like to sponsor an ex batt ?

Posted: 26 May 2013, 12:02
by Annie
Some of you may recall a rehoming centre in the Scottish Borders called Homes4Hens who have posted here once or twice asking for help with rehoming ex battery hens and I know some of you also know H4H through Facebook.
Its run by a big hearted young lady and her husband more or less single handedly and between them they have now managed to rescue and find homes for in excess of 4000 hens.
They collect the hens and take them back to their cottage and check them for any injury and illness, segregating the poor ones to hopefully nurse back to health and letting the better ones into the meadow for a taste of grass and freedom for the first time in their lives.
When they are happy with the condition of the hens and they have been wormed and dusted for lice, then they are free to go to their new homes.
Recently, they have found 3 people to help them with rehoming in different areas in Scotland so extending the possibilites of rehoming even more hens.
I haven't the room in my garden to offer to help H4H in this way but have been speaking to Kathryn (the young lady from H4H) to find other ways to help raise awareness of the plight of these hens and also help to try to raise some funds to enable her to continue her tireless work.
At the moment I am putting flyers in as many places as I can think to promote H4H and next Saturday I have a stand at a local agricultural show which I am hopeful,excited and nervous about all at the same time.
Now to the point of the title, another way in which H4H would like to try to raise money is by using the sponsor a hen idea, much the same as other animal charities use the system when a creature is unsuitable for rehoming. Obviously with hens it will probably be for a much shorter time span but we all know there is no shortage of these poor birds so always one needing that something extra.
It will be an annual donation of £5 each hen, which will see a birthday and Christmas card and an update being sent to the recipient and of course a picture of the chosen hen as well.
Are there any members of the DTL pages that would like to help this cause ? Maybe you are unable to rehome ex batts yourself at this time but would like to help them, if so this would be a really good way and Kathryn and her husband would be so thankful.
Enquiries can come through me, just pm me and I can take the details and start with the organising of the sponsorship.
I am going to start a new page with the chosen hens details immediately following this post. Thank you in anticipation x

Re: Would anyone like to sponsor an ex batt ?

Posted: 26 May 2013, 12:22
by Annie
OK so these are the three special birds that H4H have chosen to put up initially in there sponsor a hen campaign.
Sorry no pics just at the moment,having a problem with downloading but as soon as sorted I will post them for you to see.

Floppy's story
Its hard to believe looking at her picture ( :oops: ) that Floppy was once a scraggy, feather bare hen with a comb so pale and droopy it flopped over her eyes, giving rise to her name. A name that no longer suits but has stuck with her for her 4 years at H4H. She plays an important role here, showing the new arrivals how things work. Once top of the pecking order, she is now enjoying her elderly years watching the antics of the others from her favourite dust bathing spot.

Minnie's story
This little lady is a new comer to the happy family. Rescued along with 120 of her friends from a 'Free Range' farm on the 16th May 2013. She is a little girl with few feathers and needs the kind of TLC that she will get at H4H if she is going to make the most of her retirement. Within 3 weeks her feathers will start to grow back and in 6 months she will be her beautiful feathered self. Minnie walks in a peculiar way, lifting her legs up high to her body, without her feathers she looks like a dinosaur in miniature.

Now one for anyone who would really like a cockerel but like me knows there is no possibility of that.
Limpy's story
Limpy hatched with oddsstacked against him, firstly because he is male and secondly because he hatched with severe deformities in legs and feet. H4H were willing to give him a chance and he has proved to be a fighter with a lust for life. Limpy can normally be found 100 yards away from the rest of the flock as he struggles to keep up and often stops for a rest. When he is on his feet his rolling limp is legs and wings all over the place but he can move fast when he wants to, especially when the treats are out! He clearly enjoys life, sun bathing, free ranging and impressing the ladies with his peculiar dance style.

( I have met Limpy and he is a gorgeous boy)

Re: Would anyone like to sponsor an ex batt ?

Posted: 26 May 2013, 13:28
by perchy
Kathryn is lovely we have quite a banter on fb, the hens eat better than me!!

They certainly seem to be getting along really well, adding some volunteers, bless them all and bless the dear little ladies they rescue, I know they have had some real baldies lately.

Great idea about adoption, makes a nice present for someone, and the stories and heartwarming as are the pics.

Good Luck with this )t'

Re: Would anyone like to sponsor an ex batt ?

Posted: 26 May 2013, 14:45
by MissEllie
I'm signing up for one of these lovely chooks, and would encourage others to do it too if they can afford to.

good on you for raising awareness of H4H Annie {hug}

Re: Would anyone like to sponsor an ex batt ?

Posted: 26 May 2013, 20:32
by Richard
What a good idea, thinking of my Grandchildren but if there's only five, I don't want to nab two of them.

Richard )t' )t'

Re: Would anyone like to sponsor an ex batt ?

Posted: 26 May 2013, 21:09
by Annie
Richard wrote:What a good idea, thinking of my Grandchildren but if there's only five, I don't want to nab two of them.

Richard )t' )t'


Ok, although I did a long post I neglected to explain how the sponsorship works for anyone who has never gone down this route before.
There is no limit on how many people can sponsor each hen, they will still get the package of cards and update at the appropriate time (birthday). The money raised is spread around all the hens Kathryn cares for, its not just used to provide care for the chosen hen. Just think of these 3 birds, Floppy, Minnie and Limpy as being the representatives for the whole organisation.

Pics should be on tomorrow to help you choose, so please feel free Richard.

Re: Would anyone like to sponsor an ex batt ?

Posted: 26 May 2013, 21:14
by tamk23
MissEllie wrote:I'm signing up for one of these lovely chooks, and would encourage others to do it too if they can afford to.

good on you for raising awareness of H4H Annie {hug}


)t' I'm going to sign up to

Re: Would anyone like to sponsor an ex batt ?

Posted: 26 May 2013, 21:17
by Richard
Will do but in Tunbridge Wells all week and it's a bad spot for mobile broadband, but definitely put me down for two if I don't manage to get online.

Richard )t' )t'

Re: Would anyone like to sponsor an ex batt ?

Posted: 26 May 2013, 21:25
by Linda S
Wil you put me down for one please Annie )t'
Its a great idea and these people who do these rescuse deserve all the help they can get, good on you Annie for getting involved {hug}
Is this the thing you were looking for those fluffy ribbon things for a couple of wks ago(im so nosey arnt i) {rofwl} Lindaxx

Re: Would anyone like to sponsor an ex batt ?

Posted: 26 May 2013, 21:55
by Luna
What a fantastic idea. We'll sponsor at least one. I'll talk to kids tomorrow and see which one they'd like.... I'll pm you when they've chosen... It's always good to hear about people who go that extra mile for creatures and its lovely to think we'd play a small part in their good work.

Good luck at the agricultural show Annie.

Re: Would anyone like to sponsor an ex batt ?

Posted: 26 May 2013, 22:20
by Annie
Thank you so much everyone, I can't wait to tell Kathryn, that you have got the ball rolling, its going to mean so much to her.
Promise pics tomorrow , then pm me with your choice and birthday dates etc, might take a couple of pm's to sort it out as I am learning as I go along.

thank you thank you thank you.


the fluffy things were for the show btw, a little box of them if kiddies put some pennies in the bucket.

Re: Would anyone like to sponsor an ex batt ?

Posted: 26 May 2013, 23:12
by jemberelli
I will sponsor one as well, will pm details next week. What a lovely idea, good on you Annie {hug}

Re: Would anyone like to sponsor an ex batt ?

Posted: 27 May 2013, 18:35
by aceface
annie you know I love the boys I would love to sponsor a little boy if they have gone no probs I will sponsor a girl xx

always happy to help a little feathered friend >ch< >ch<

I shall do it for my dads birthday as he would have loved the hens ,I miss dad and it will be a nice memory for mum too {hug}

and well done annie for helping this lady rescue more little hens and cockerels

Re: Would anyone like to sponsor an ex batt ?

Posted: 27 May 2013, 20:35
by Annie
aceface wrote:annie you know I love the boys I would love to sponsor a little boy if they have gone no probs I will sponsor a girl xx

always happy to help a little feathered friend >ch< >ch<

I shall do it for my dads birthday as he would have loved the hens ,I miss dad and it will be a nice memory for mum too {hug}

and well done annie for helping this lady rescue more little hens and cockerels


Ace,
The girl from H4H has chosen 3 of her special cases to represent ALL of the rescued hens.
I am trying to get the pics up, so people can choose.
They don't 'go' when somebody choses one to sponsor, 100 people could sponsor Limpy the cockerel and he would still be there for another 100 people (wouldn't that be amazing , high hopes hahaha)

Re: Would anyone like to sponsor an ex batt ?

Posted: 27 May 2013, 21:06
by aceface
its a very kind gesture of you Annie to sponsor and back this lady and spread the word ,her cause is defianatley one I am happy to pass my five pounds to {hug} {hug}