Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: webwahm on January 12, 2010, 18:34
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A short while ago I noticed my new ex-batts oven ready bits* were going black...omg, they're freezing from the cold before my very eyes :nowink:
Then I realised the black bits were prickly...new feathers!!!
Now, I'm afraid I have to admit that I found this a bit repulsive to look at in the beginning, but thrilled and amazed at the same time because it has happened so fast - and it's fascinating to watch how they grow, and how fast...you can now see the tops of little brown feathers starting to poke out of the long dark hard bits. Amazing. :D
*regarding 'oven ready', when I first came on here before I got the ex-batts I wasn't sure what that really meant, but when I brought them home I was shocked to discover that parts of my hens look exactly like a raw chicken with legs. Maybe not a shock to most, but it was to me. :wub:
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I was also amazed and delighted when I saw the ex-batt feathers grow. I never knew that was how they grew with the 'quill' showing first and the feather poking out the end like a magic trick!
Mine are two months in now and look wonderful and fully feathered.
The quiet, scared ones are now talkative and friendly and all their little characters are showing. I put some pics on here under 'Chooks in snow' if you want an idea of quick progress.
I didn't take enough pics early on as they changed so quickly I kind of missed the chance!
Enjoy them, webwahm, they're a delight!
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You must feel so proud, what an achievement to give the poor little things a second chance, well done theyre heart warming stories xx
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umm u have forgotten something web :tongue2: wheres the piccys
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OK, trying to add pics...
(http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs165.snc3/19254_283255213573_804913573_4679537_994349_n.jpg)
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right next step we need monthly pics to see thier progess :lol: :lol:
well done on getting ex batts in time they will become very friendly and they'll love u to bits an it wont take long for the feathers to start coming though either :D
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These are from the day I got them (few days before Christmas)...and I hadn't appreciated how much they have come on in just a few weeks, until I saw these.
Wish I'd been able to do some proper individual mug shots to really see their progress! :D
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I agree that it's just wonderful to see these new emerging feathers and how they develop to what looks like a woven piece of cloth as the feathers grow back. Mine were stripped of feathers by a fox and watching the new ones emerging was amazing
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They don't look too bad here, webwahm, and I'm sure they look much better even now :nowink:
I think the reading matter (shown in the second pic) is a jolly good idea - stop them getting bored :lol:!
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@webwahm Hi. What is that contraption on of the chickens has her head into? A feeder? Why the white wire bit? Thanks, n00by Neil
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:D ...it's the latest Practical Poultry - bit of self help reading, self-esteem building etc :D
They weren't half as bad as I expected - but you can't tell on the pics where they are naked...on their fronts from leaning over the cage to feed I expect, their 'behinds' and their backs, from being pecked in the cages?
@Neil - the white thing is a feeder yes, and I have no idea why they use the wire - maybe to try make things less of a free for all...doesn't work with mine though, they just flip it off and dive in!
It's just nice and compact for inside the coop, I use one of the traditional big round ones outside.
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The wire thing stops them sitting on the edge of the feeder and pooing into the food!
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...funny you should say that, because that's exactly what they had done this morning when I went in!!! :tongue2: