[Roughlee Handled]

Got home last night to find that one ex bat had found where the muck heap was.  She seemed to like the taste of the mud underneath it, and she had dug a whole 5cm deep!!!!!! Legs covered in mud. Beak covered in mud.  Comb covered in mud from eating mud!!

[blulagoo]

AAAW! she's trying to make herself look more beautiful - mud packs are supposed to be good for you!

[Roughlee Handled]

She is a character and not sure if I should say this but here goes "she is Boootiful Bernard".

[Jellyhead]

Aaaah bless her. Mine loved the old horses muck heap. It is now flat and I go in sometimes with a fork and turn it over cos its full of worms :roll: the all go bonkers when they see me with a pitch fork now :shock:  :shock:

[compostqueen]

mud, mud, glorious mud
nothing quite like it for cooling the blood

full of insects I expect and it probably soothes itchy skin

[GrannieAnnie]

That's one happy chicken!!!!!  Something she's never been able to do before!!!!

[Roughlee Handled]

The missus wonders what I find fun about chickens but she is starting to come round, laughing at these ex batts.  They are becoming so adventurous.   One has taken to following me hoping for meal worms.

[GrannieAnnie]

Don't worry Roughlee, the missus will soon be as smitten as you are!!!!      

[Vember]

All my hens know what the spade is, no sooner have i picked it up then Im surrounded    

They'd follow me an the spade anywhere, but the muck heap is their favorite place  

[Aunt Sally]

How lovely Roughlee

But doesn't it just point out the cruelty of caged hens  :!:

[Roughlee Handled]

It does Aunty.   No animal that naturally roams should be caged, chicken definitely should not be caged.

[NormandyMary]

What a beautiful looking bird. She will be a stunner when she has all her feathers. Can we see a pic then too please?
Do you know what "make" she is?

[Roughlee Handled]

I do not know what make she is?

Does anyone know what breed an ex batt is?

May be an ISA.

[Aunt Sally]

Probably !

[Kate and her Ducks]

Just wonderful to see them doing what nature intended. Amazes me that anyone can argue that it isn't criminal to deny them this. Like the concept that ducks can be happy without water. Mine adore the compost heap too. Intending on keeping them in the veg patch over winter (all that lovely manure ) and of course the pond .