do I or dont I

[Eco-Chic]

Just posting this thread means that Tick's mind was 99% made up

I mean you don't come to this forum mentioning ex-batts needing rehoming and offhandedly mention a spare ark with integral run and expect people to say "Whoa. Think on Lady" do you?

What names are you thinking of Tick?

[petal]

From my past experience, ex batts need to be eased into freerange lifestyle very slowly, they will be frightened to start with and need security, so an enclosed run with more space than an A4 piece of paper per hen seems ideal.!

[frias]

From my past experience, ex batts need to be eased into freerange lifestyle very slowly, they will be frightened to start with and need security, so an enclosed run with more space than an A4 piece of paper per hen seems ideal.!

That's true. Mine were quite happy in a small run for about 2 weeks. In fact some were almost agoraphobic. Then they discovered free ranging and destroying the garden. I am back to containing them now within a big run but if I leave the door ajar when I go in they are off and digging up the garden.

[beulah59]

we're in the Plymouth area ... do any of the hens still need somewhere to go?

[HayleyB]

Well that's tick sorted, how many you getting then and maybe beulah can have the rest

[tlck9]

Well that's tick sorted, how many you getting then and maybe beulah can have the rest

Well, I'm almost there....

I'm just worried about the home they will have for the next couple of months until the big run gets completed, and also I have to go away for 4 days in December and I'm worried if there are any issues while i'm away

we're in the Plymouth area ... do any of the hens still need somewhere to go?

Beulah, there are some still in camelford and I understand there are more to come.

[its hilly]

Go on your little ark will be cosy and have way more room than they're used to. They'll feather up and strengthen up nicely in there. It'll be fine for a couple of months, just move it a bit if you need to.
As for four days away, well could you keep them seperate until you are back? Give them time to settle in a bit before you introduce them to the others? Or if its late in December they should be settled by then hopefully.

[tlck9]

Well, I've Made my decision, I'm going to see 3 rescue chickens tomorrow, they have been held back as they have limps....and wouldnt go out in the normal run

however they are fully feathered which has disappointed by OH as he was wanting to see them in woolly jumpers

Just got to make sure they will be okay with getting up and down the ramp to the ark until the bigger run is sorted

[Eco-Chic]

What! Mr. Tick hasn't built them a stairlift?

Poor lil girls. Gonna have to slum it aren't they?

[tlck9]

What! Mr. Tick hasn't built them a stairlift?

Poor lil girls. Gonna have to slum it aren't they?

Crumbs a stairlift I hadnt thought of that one....wonder if he can knock that up tomorrow

Now you must have been speaking to the others on the allotment, they all say that my chucks are spoiled rotten....and they are right

Secretly though its my OH that does all the spoiling

[tlck9]

Christmas will be early this year for the 3 little battery chucks being rescued a few days before christmas and coming to live at Hotel Chicken, Cornwall !!!

[Eco-Chic]

Sweet! They've had a rotten early life and now are about to discover being a chicken is lovely