Remember this sad little girl, she came to us on the 18th April and we named her Angel.
An ex-battery hen that had been rescued from slaughter and then dumped by her 'rescuers' over the fence in the dead of night at our local poultry selling folk's house Mother Hen's Poultry. They put out an appeal on Facebook and I jumped at the chance to give her a home.
She had bald and sore bits where no girl should ever have bald and sore bits. She had absolutely no meat on her poor little bones and if it wasn't for a mischievous glint in her eye and a healthy comb I would have expected the worst.
Well here she is just over a month later.
She's had no real special treatment, just good food, freedom to roam safely and the companionship of our other girls. She's learnt to avoid the geese when they're in 'bossy mode' and keep out of the cockerels way when he's feeling over amorous. She's learnt that "chook, chook, chook", means Mum's here with the corn ration or with tasty goodies from the Veggie Patch, and she's learnt that it's nice to cuddle up with your friends in the Eglu at night, safe and secure in the knowledge that the good life will still be there in the morning.
She's also learnt that if you keep running, pesky folk with cameras can't get a good shot of you ....
... and if someone steps in the way to try and slow you down ....
...you niftily swerve around them .....
... and make your way back to your friends.
Life's so much better for this lovely little girl now, I'm so pleased she's settled in with us, and she even rewards us with an egg or two each week, something we totally did not expect. I wanted to finish with a photo of her face but no chance, she was too quick for me!!
The sun is shining here and us, and the chickens are looking forward to another day of tidying this place up, and trying to keep under control some of the weeds that are loving this topsy turvy weather.
I hope you're all enjoying the weekend.
Sue xx
I love this,my huge cat came to me in a similar way..now she is a giant fluffty.
ReplyDeleteWOw, what a difference in the right conditions a month can make. Looks like shes settled in just nicely. Well done for taking her on. :o)
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this as I have a longing to keep chickens - I would never have thought that scruffy little birdie could turn into a princess in just one month - she must be so very happy - no wonder she gives eggs. Betty
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to see her looking so healthy and happy. She's definitely arrived in the right place :)
ReplyDeleteThat post made us smile - what a happy little chook you now have. Nice to see her out in the sunshine enjoying herself.
ReplyDeleteJulie Q
How wonderful. She was in a sorry state when she came to you but blossoming now. Eggs too - that's fantastic !
ReplyDeleteThat is a very nice, happy chicken rescue story. In th words of the Beatles - All you need is love! I'm sure she'll have a great life with you and reward you with lots more eggs along the way. She's where all chookies belong - outside!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Joolz xx
Fantastic- we have rehomed 12 ex batt hens over the years and they are such rewarding little girls. They start out not being hen-like at all but soon rally, grow feathers, peck and dust bathe. I love our hens xxx
ReplyDeletethere's something very special about the ex-bats isn't there?
ReplyDeleteThey seem to have a will of iron and the cheekiest personalities.
Yesterday Joan came back down the henhouse ramp when Mark went to close them up for the night. He shouted "go back to bed Joan" and she turned around and went straight back up!
xx
The best 'treatments' are TLC and the right food ! bless you for saving her life.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story! Good on you for giving her a wonderful home. What a difference just one month can make!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what love can do.
ReplyDeleteJane x
Happy story! x
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story. So lovely to see her running around happy and carefree.
ReplyDeleteIts wonderful to see her fully feathered and enjoying the freedom.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see some good news sue x
ReplyDeleteWell done. Good food, fresh air, sunshine and freedom is a winning combination!
ReplyDeleteAwww loved this. Nothing beats a fresh egg from a happy hen xxxx LOVE our hens xxx all snug as a bug now xxxx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story and such a happy ending.
ReplyDeleteBruised and battered and disposed of in the dead of night
I looked a retch, a terrible fright.
But then someone loved me, gave me food and friends
and now my name is Angel, and i will reward them till my end.
Such a change - well done :-) Ex commercial hens are always extra special :-)
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to see her doing so well, bless :)
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing tribute to what proper care can do. It seems extraordinary that not all hens get this basic attention, especially when you see how quickly they respond to it. In our flock of ten we have two old girls who are now about five years old. They would have been culled long ago in a commercial flock but they are still laying about five eggs a week each for us.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased she's fluffed up, and hugely agreeing with lady above - two of our girls are four (they're French Morans), and still laying most days. But better than that, they're such funny little characters, and make us all laugh when they come to roost on our window ledges.
ReplyDeletegosh what a difference. How nice that she was able to come and live with you
ReplyDeleteI love reading your posts about your chicks, they really resonate with me. My chicks & cockeral are off to a new home soon & it's been so hard to arrange a collection day, love them like I never thought I would. They have so much character. Anyway at least I can still enjoy your posts! Xx
ReplyDelete