This afternoon I recieved a phone call from a guy who said he had 10 hens he wanted to rehome. He made some generalised excuses about his dog being a threat to his birds and sounded so in need of "getting rid" that I agreed to drive over to his village immediately to see what I could do.
As it turned out, the young bog standard hybrids were a gift to a child, who had all but lost interest in them, and I very nearly lost my temper when I crept into a "converted "wendy house" that had doubled as a make shift hen house. Inside ten skinny birds crowded around me like tame puppies. They were tame because they were starving and wanted food, and not because they had been hand reared..and I was quick to note that the house had no water or food laid out for them. There were no perches, straw filled nest boxes or even any sawdust in the shed...and the floor was three inches deep in wet , shit impregnated shavings which looked remarkably like porridge. The whole place was disgusting.
The man noticed my face and thinking that I was not impressed with the birds rather than their surroundings he asked if I would take the hens off his hands.........looking at the scruffy bunch, I decided to not to get angry and simply said " yes, I will take the lot!"
It took 30 seconds to catch the hens and put them into Constance's cage in the back of the car. Within half an hour I had fed them properly ( 4 bowls of corn and pellets!!!! I couldn't literally pour the feed quick enough) then bedded them down snugly- 6 in the runner duck house ( the three remaining ducks will be housed with the older ducks) and the remaining 4 in the large hen house with the gentle young purebreeds ..........
I have nicknamed the new girls The Belles of St. Trinian's as their scruffy appearance reminds me of the the 1954 unkempt schoolgirls (above) I think they will do fine...........
I am now up to 100 animals!!!
I despise when people take on animals without the commitment to actually care for them. Those are some lucky ladies.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I am just as disgusted as you, what deplorable conditions for any living creature! I would have taken them myself and you know, I'm not allowed to take anything.
ReplyDeleteWell, the Belles will probably eat you out of house and home for a while, till they get some meat on their bones.
Bless you, John!
Ooh, how I used to love watching that series, the name is so fitting for 'the girls' :)
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I work with animals everyday in the veterinary field, I could literally write a book on the mistreatment of animals, mostly by loving owners pphff !
Anyhow, you'll bring them up to par with your knowledge and devotion, of that I'm sure.
Good on ya lad !
Oh John, what a good man you are. Virtual hugs coming from NZ! I bet those girls are thanking their lucky stars at their good luck in being rescued. No doubt they will transform from skinny schoolgirls to smart beautiful matrons under your tender care.
ReplyDeleteYou may be up to 100 animals, but how many husbands are you down now?
ReplyDeleteHave you ever seen the show 'Green Acres'?
You are a GOOD MAN!!! THank you for giving these hens a happy life and another chance!
ReplyDeleteThe previous 'owner' is lucky he hadn't been reported to the RSPCA - Lucky chooks to have someone like you around to rescue them.
ReplyDeleteWill they be accepted immediately by the others or will pecking order take place?
Take care
Cathy
just the one husband david!!
ReplyDeleteand cathy
thesehens could be bullied terribly, but being free range, they have space to escape if they need to
x
Oh bless you, John, and curse that bastard who could be arsed to look after a few living creatures. For God's sake, the lest he could do was feed and water them. Continuing good luck to the Belles - they have now received it.
ReplyDelete* n't
ReplyDelete*least
Please ammend. X
Some people should be permanently banned from having animals. I wonder what state his daughter was in if they regarded animals with so much disdain!
ReplyDeleteWord is 'out there' John. And how lucky for them and you. You do such a good job with these critters. I am proud to know you sir.
ReplyDeleteJim
It's strange you should say that.
ReplyDeleteI rescued 4 ducks recently from a man who looked a bit like Eric Morecambe.
The ducks were being impeccably kept - but were being starved of exposure to the Beatles.
I have them on a luxury diet of "Love Me Do" at the moment and they seem to be doing fine.
apparantly you are now teaching them klingon!
ReplyDeletex
that was just plain cruelty what that guy was doing.
ReplyDeleteYou are going to be named the Saint of Chickens soon!!
Gill in Canada
I am sure those chickens you rescued will bless you with wonderful eggs!
ReplyDeleteGood on you.
God bless. ♥
John you are a wonderful person. I absolutely can not stand people who neglect and abuse animals. What morons! I have turned more than one sorry ass into Humane Society and Animal Protection Services. Don't even get me started on this subject.
ReplyDeleteThank you for caring!
I think it very commendable that you took these birds, and I am happy that they will have a good life with someone who knows how to care for animals properly.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading and enjiying your blog. I do love the animal stories.
I guess Chris will be delighted with the news of extra hens BUT you just had to do it and well done to you sir! Sounds as if the previous owner richly deserved a visit from the RSPCA or a bloody good kicking from an angry ostrich.
ReplyDeleteOh, those poor creatures!
ReplyDeleteBless you John.
You are a good man!
ReplyDeleteArg. I will never understand why people have animals and don't take care of them. At least he found an excellent home for them. Arg.
ReplyDeleteJohn...as I said before you have a BIG heart. Those little girls are very lucky that the fellow called you as now they'll know what it's like to be well cared for and loved. Shame on that fellow for raising them in that filth!! ....and good for you for your act of kindness towards these sweet birds. I hope you have a sunny Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteMaura :)
You're an angel John...a Christmas Angel.
ReplyDeleteJohn, you have the biggest heart of gold. I bet it was hard not to let him have it. Those chickens needed you so badly and I bet they are sleeping tonight with full bellies in a warm stash of hay. Bless you John G Sheffield!
ReplyDeleteAmy
It must cost you a fortune to feed all those animals?
ReplyDeleteSue
Thanks for your comments but I think the guy was more "unthinking" rather than merely cruel.
ReplyDeleteI thing with hens, that I have come across sometimes, is that people literally forget that they are animals.... that sounds wierd, but because they are so cheap, ( and almost clone-like)a great number of people think they will be ok just "left to themselves"
and keep them with the minimum of thought and effort...
Believe me I was not being overly angelic in my decision to take them.....10 , young and potentially healthy hybrids means 7 extra eggs a a day, when I get them back on their feet!!!!!!!
ps forgive the typos
ReplyDeleteconstance is sitting on my lap
Oh bless their little hearts and your big heart for rescuing them.
ReplyDeleteI love their collective name but you'd better watch out... you know what tricks those naughty girls got up to !
You are such a good animal daddy! Hats off to you.
ReplyDeleteI always was and am against giving animals as gift, because it is such a long time commitment that you force somebody else to take on that is not really ready for it. God bless you.....we just had four donkeys come back to the farm because the Foster Farm's girl didn't show any interest in them. They had a good life there for the years they have been there, and I am glad they are back to get the love and attention they deserve. Moving around is so hard on animals, but people don't think like that. Way to go John!
Well, I know you said your next farm pet would be a GOAT but it's really nice of you to take in the Belles!! There is a lot of that going on around here too - with people not wanting to care for the pets that they got in the Spring. The Belles will be very happy with you, John! xxxx oooo
ReplyDeleteyou are a chicken's hero!! great story and sooo glad you wrenched them loose from the squallar! way to go! they look like rhode island reds. glad they have a good home now and look forward to future chicken updates!
ReplyDeleteJohn, I'm late getting to your blog (I'm in between patients) and have to say that you have such a kind heart to take these hens in--I know you will be rewarded by them (and from above!) for your compassion and finding 'room at the inn' for these girls!
ReplyDeleteWhat is with people... I understand not everyone totally pampers their animals but my goodness basic needs should be met!
ReplyDeleteWell these girls landed in the right place, they could not have asked to land better.
Bless you, John! It should be illegal for some people to have animals...or children, for that matter!
ReplyDeleteThank you for saving them! After reading you for a short time...I knew it was something that you would do.
ReplyDeleteJohn -- Amazing how some people just don't understand... I'm so glad these hens found you!
ReplyDelete