long wait

[raine]

Hi all, can i ask how long everyone waited for their ex-batts? here I am, red mite control in one hand and vermex in the other and I seem to have waited for aaages! How long do you think i will wait?

[Glutton4...]

Oooh, from memory the BHWT lady gave me a date that was about 6 or 8 weeks away, then I got a message saying ' next weekend' which was about 4 weeks earlier than expected. I know I'm not the only one that happened to, but it depends on when the expected release dates are in your area. Also, if the number of birds released are greater than they were expecting it moves everyone up the list a bit.

Fingers crossed for you, the waiting is the worst bit. Maybe they're keeping them in longer coz it's cold outside!

[Noodle]

Hi, it will depend as Glutton4 said how many they take in. It will also depend if the farmers new birds ae laying well, as if they're not he will keep the exisiting on for longer. This has just happened to Little Hen Rescue. We were supposed to pick up a load at the end of December, but it's been bumped to the end of January, we've all got our fingers crossed it will actually happen then!

I hope you don't hav to wait too long, but it will be worth it once your girlies are home!

[Nicos]

Oh dear..I have a lovely picture of you in my mind!

I imagine it feels a bit like waiting for Xmas when you were a small kid- but didn't understand about dates and numbers!!!!

..now down to basics...have you got your camera battery charged up????

Sounds like you'll make a caring mum!!

[Suechooks]

It all depends when the farmers renew their birds. I think it's become more popular since i had mine this time last year, but I waited from October till end of Jan. It's really better if you get them nearer the Spring unless you've got heat available as they're pretty bald and used to living in hot conditiond so the shock of coming into the real world can be too much for them.
They are worth waiting for! Good luck.

[raine]

Well, we did have a date of mid Jan but there's been no word and the funny thing is, Nicos that a got a new camera for christmas so I'm definitely on the starting blocks!

[Suechooks]

When I got mine, the co-ordinator phoned me on the Monday or Tuesday to say the birds were being released the next Saturday, so you may get quite short notice. Is it with BHWT? If so you could look on their web site as they have a calendar of release dates for Jan and Feb.
Get practising with the camera - you'll be able to compare how they're progressing - it's amazing! Good luck.

[vicky]

I put my name down with the BHWT in Jan and got a phone call the first week of march - when they predicted and a good time of year for baldy hens to come out!

[raine]

I am getting them through BHWT but when i checked their calendar there was no date given for our area. I don't like to phone the lady again in case she thinks I'm anxious or something!

[MaureenHall]

If you're already on the waiting list then that's a good start (The Great British Food Fight starts next week and if last year's anything to go by, the BHWT will be inundated with requests again). I'd be inclined to give them a ring just to confirm verbally that you're on the list (and maybe jog a memory), this lets them know that you're REALLY keen to get started sooner rather than later. Also ask if they've got any definite rescue dates yet, and if they have, have they had any cancellations that you could slot into.

Good luck when you do get your girls, it's a magical experience watching them see everything new for the first time. Well done too for choosing ex-batts, I've had my first lot a year next month and they never ever fail to delight me even though I think they've retired from this egg-laying lark now

[vicky]

If you are really keen you can put your name on the list for rescues anywhere in the country - it doesn't have to be your nearest one. There are other groups around that rescue battery hens too, eg Free at Last and North London Rescue
Ex Battery Hens | Give A Caged Hen A Chance Of Life

[raine]

Many thanks for your replies, i'm trying to be patient!