Bittersweet

[HayleyB]

Hi all

A mixed weekend, picked up the white Amber Links, they are sooooo pretty.

But we lost Hoppy Sat night/Sunday morning, DD got up early to check on them all and came in screaming and bawling. We buried her out the back.

We have some racist brownies and they are definitely forming their version of the Klu. I think they are jealous of how pretty the others are.

We've named a few, Jennifer as she's a bit like a white version of our Dawn, Choc Chip as she has brown dots on her back, Snowy, obviously, and dusty who looks just that with a fine sprinkles on her back.

Don't worry Bridie I will post some pics when I've got them off the camera.

[Birdie Wife]

Sorry to hear you lost one Hayley, was there any indication of how she died? Hope your other hens settle down together soon

[HayleyB]

No, she was similar to Babs who pulled around, she wasn't egg bound but I suppose she could have had organ failure which apparently is common with ex-batts. At least she had 6 weeks of freedom and happiness. We have another - Cocoa - who is unwell today, drinking lots but off food including mealworms. It could be kidney related will have to just see. Would have preferred it to be one of the unnamed brown racists.

[MaureenHall]

So sorry to hear about Hoppy love. Unfortunately, it does happen, and when you're least expecting it.

Glad you got your other girls, Becci texted me on Saturday saying "It's a white Christmas, all girls collected, well and happy" She was at Coventry really early and was there when they were still sorting things out so she was sorry she missed you

[Suechooks]

Sorry to read about Hoppy. I've lost 3 of my ex-batts. First Yolko who was only with us a week then Doris who had 5 weeks and went much like your girl. Then after 10 months QT looked unwell then recovered and had her last few weeks as an only hen here at home (the others are on my allotment). I think she had kidney probs too and eventually had her PTS. We gave her a course of Baytril which helped initially and gave her the extra few weeks. May be worth a try with your ailing one?

[di]

Sorry to hear about Hoppy,Hayley.& hugs to DD.....is she O.K now?.....I hate it when the kiddies come with me to let the girls out in the mornings...just in case Mr F has managed to get to them.(((fairy)))to you all & hope that Cocoa picks up!x

[HayleyB]

Hi all

Well DD is ok now but worried about cocoa, who has been eating again thankfully and produced an egg - still a bit low but better than yesterday.

Aunty Mo, I must have just missed Bec as I got there when they were hosing down the trailer after just finishing off loading. I was about 15 minutes before 12o/c. Shame I missed her would have got to meet Hollie and Lavender too.

The whites are terrified of the racists, Dawn and some of the others have been really good and Babs has been standing up for them but there are a couple of Klu members and they are real bullies - will give them a couple of more days and if they don't improve I'll take the bullies out.

I shooed the whites outside today as they are all agrophobic. For ex-batts they are pretty well and fatter than expected. Mollie did say that this farmer is better than most. Will have to sort out the pictures

[HayleyB]

Pictures

The brown was Hoppy on Saturday night

[T-lady]

White is beautiful - gorgeous photos Hayley. The new girls look like they'll grow big and strong - if there isn't too much midnight burnin' by the Klan.

Sorry to hear about your Hoppy though. As your thread says, mixed feelings.

[frias]

So sorry to hear about Hoppy. I am always so pleased when all 6 of my ex-batts come bursting out the pop hole in the morning. Thought I was going to lose one recently but fortunately she recovered.