Unspeakable

[MarkN]

Shocking, absolutely shocking

[its hilly]

Poor little beggers, well done to you Sue for giving them a new life.

[chris]

they actually look sad

[Suechooks]

2 eggs yesterday just dropped where they stood.
2 eggs today in the straw nest in a nice dark corner of the coop! They're getting the hang of it!
Went to bed last night with full crops - they're so bald you can see the whole crop and almost make out the contents!
Already they've learned to scratch in the straw for their bedtime corn.
You have to admire their resilience. I noticed a few new quills coming through too. Onward and upward!

[Polly Fouracre]

How can that be a "good welfare" label for eggs? Please send your pictures to all the major supermarkets

Would they care? I think even if you pushed the photos under shoppers noses at least 50% would shut their minds to it
The poor little things look absolutely defeated but a week or so of good food and sunshine wil put a gleam in their eyes and a sheen on their feathers!

[Hans Mum]

well done to you for rescuing the poor things, my girlies have come so far since the day I rescued them & these will too. Even if the weather is poor with you at the moment I'm sure they're enjoying the freedom theyve got with you.

[coreopsis]

Most of the eggs I buy come from the honesty boxes in neighbouring villages.Never ever from the supermarket.Poor things,hope they'll get a better life...

[sewer rat]

Supermarkets really don't give a damn about animal welfare - barn hens are only marginally better than battery and to be honest a lot of what is classed as free-range, is nothing more than a battery sytem with an hour in the exercise yard for good behaviour.

[Suechooks]

And then there were three

Sadly I have had to have one of the new girls PTS this afternoon. She wouldn't come out of the coop this morning and just stood huddled in a corner. I brought her home for some TLC and warmth under a gentle heat-lamp. She hardly moved all morning and was really pale. Her comb was almost white.
The vet thinks it could have been a tumour or possibly a massive parasite infestation. I treated them all on arrival so nothing visible alive on her. I don't think she'd have lasted the night so we put her to sleep there and then. Poor little soul just lay in my arms with her head resting on me while the vet put in the injection.
At least she did get to feel the sun on her back and to scratch about in the straw and have a dust bath. It's even sadder because her feathers were starting to come through on her back

[Nicos]

Aww...that's sad.

At least she died gracefully- rather than in a heap in the corner of a cramped shed.
Which chook was she??

[Suechooks]

Aww...that's sad.

At least she died gracefully- rather than in a heap in the corner of a cramped shed.
Which chook was she??

The one on the left in first picture. And yes she did at least die with a some dignity.

[elizajay]

So sad she had such a short good end to her life. RIP. I hope the others recover to live longer in peace.

[pauco]

Sooo sad, but she died knowing someone cared for her! Well done Sue.


paul.

[polo]

That's so sad Sue. I'm glad you were there to care for her xx

[SuzyB]

Aww thats so sad. Look at their little faces, bless them.

Well done you, makes me wish I hadnt promised the OH I wouldnt get any more.

I had our last ex batt Nutmeg put to sleep at weekend. After posting about her comb colour she just slowed right down, she was eating and drinking but only if it she was right next to the feeder/drinker because she was struggling to waddle. Didnt want her to slowly starve...

When I took her to the vets they discovered she had a deformed keel, vet said more than likely from her year as a battery hen. She agreed it was the kindest thing to do. Least I know she had 2 cracking years with us.