It has been a bit of a rush this morning, I received a phone call from work desperate for me to do a day shift rather then a night shift tonight. I said I couldn't do the whole day but I could work the afternoon and early evening, so I am grabbing my morning coffee and blog before I sort the animals out then I will be off.The battery hens are starting to take a little more interest in their surroundings after 48 hours TLC. They remain silent and still and are typical examples of the "frozen awareness" that you often see in abused animals and damaged children.
Last night I caught three of the little ones sat outside their run and this morning a couple of them shuffled their sad ways into the sunshine of the hen house door to take in the dawn sunshine.
Look closely on the hen on the right, her beak is completely crossed, giving her the look of someone with a cleft palate.
One hen remains very unsteady on her feet, and all still look hunched, frightened and unhappy.
The other hens on the field have found these strange little birds terrifying. From time to time several of them have crept up to the wire to give the strangers the once over, but look wary and unsure of the new hens...
They'll realise soon how much better off they are with you & that lovely smile! xxx
ReplyDeletesarcastic cow
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I have no doubt that you'll have those hens completely transformed into pictures of health and happiness in no time!
ReplyDeletePoor little things! that last photo is nice. The hen looks to be saying, "wow...we have a door!"
ReplyDeleteI don't know, John, you sure you can eat them? Poor sweet dears.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing as Sharon. Are you going to be able to eat them after you get them healthy both physically and mentally?
ReplyDeleteYou are such a good mother!
These hens are going to be dinner? Right... Seems that people don't have much faith in you being able to raise meat birds and actually eat them. Well, you could always sell them and let someone else eat them. lol The saga of these birds will be an interesting one to follow.
ReplyDeleteRe: smell of Skunk spray
I'm sure that their spray smells differently to each person, but to me it smells (this is at some distance, not close at all) initially like being next to a huge, huge pile of burning coffee beans with an eye burning and choking scent. There is also a burning oil smell something like being next to a burning oil well or burning tires. Mixed in with all this are some other smells that are very unpleasant... very pungent. The smell at a distance, say driving by in a car or coming in the house window makes your eyes water, nose burn, you cough, choke, have trouble breathing... well I do. Some people smell rotten eggs. I don't smell the rotten eggs, but there is a potent sulphur odor. I can't really describe the smell, but take it from me, you don't want to experience skunk spray up close.
I'm one of those people who like barnyard smells and I find I don't mind the skunk smell if it is far, far away and not strong. But if it is close enough to burn my nose then it is time to make tracks or at least close the windows.
Kristine suggested that we try to find a place the skunk has sprayed, rub the spot with some old rags and send them to you. You could then hang strips of the skunk cloth in the bushes around the chicken area to warn off the fox. Poor fox would be confused. Of course the scent might drive you and the dogs away too. hee, hee
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skunk
wiki has some info about the thiol compounds the skunk smell is mostly made of... you with your science background would understand a lot more about than I do.
Be glad you don't have skunks. Trying to get skunk smell off dogs is not a fun experience. I'm very glad Morgan stays away from the skunks.
Poor little souls, I expect they'll soon start to settle in their new environment though. I do so sympathise with you about the dog, my dog has gone missing just once or twice over the ten years I've had her, and I know that panic feeling only too well. Glad he turned up safe and well though
ReplyDeleteI was taught to cull the excess roosters last year by old poultry farmer Bob....
ReplyDeletesee old blog
http://disasterfilm.blogspot.com/2009/09/lesson-one.html
I probably will have second thoughts about killing all of these little chaps when bigger, even though I have resolved myself to do so...
I may breed some more meat/egg hens from a couple of the hens!!!
pscallie thanks for the reply
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For however long these chickens live, their lives have been transformed.
ReplyDeletethe poor things. So glad they found their way to you.
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