The most beautiful view of all

I went on a beautiful walk this morning. I saw stunning stately homes situated in acres of rolling green pasture and park land.

I enjoyed bird song as I walked the old bridle path, not meeting another person on my entire journey.

I delighted in the far reaching views ahead and wondered what secrets the old walled garden in front of me kept locked inside it's walls.

I saw sparkling cascades and rivers that flowed through stunning woodland.

I crossed the bridge over the river and it felt like I was entering another kingdom.

Because that was when I saw the most beautiful view of all. Well over 1000 little hens enjoying the spring sunshine.

To see these little hens enjoying freedom was so wonderful, I just wish all the hens in the world could live like this.

A new experience

We can all remember how excited we were as children when the first snow appeared. The other day my little ex-battery hens experienced snow for the first time in their young lives. It was so entertaining to watch them trying to work out what this cold white stuff was. Luckily for them, Blodwyn and Bethan soon showed them what to do.

'What on earth is that?'
'Duno, doesn't taste that great'

'It's snow! You don't eat it, you scratch until you find what is underneath'

'The secret is to just have one foot at a time on the ground, that way you won't feel the cold so much'

'Like this?'

'Whooh, this is fun, I like snow!'

'If I run really fast, I won't feel the cold'

' I shall just fly over it.'


Several hours later . . .

'Oooh my feet are cold now, I think I'm getting chilblains'

'Come on, time to go in and get warm'

'That's better, my feet feel all warm and tingly now. That was so much fun!

Glad it's out there and not inside our coop though.'

Other people's rubbish

Isn't it odd how some folk are absolutely fascinated in other people's rubbish?

My girls had a whole day to free range in the sunny garden but were more interested in what I was throwing away.

Happy little hens

It's been a wonderful time for my new little ex-battery hens. The weather has been mild and so they have been out in the garden every day enjoying their new found freedom. It's amazing how they are coming on in appearance and also their behaviour. I had them feeding out of my hand the other day, just as Blodwyn and Bethan do. It's as though the old girls are actually teaching their new sisters how to act.

The wonderful thing is that they all seem to be getting on with each other too and enjoy posing for the camera!

Happy Christmas!

Hi everyone, I knew he wouldn't forget my little girls at Christmas, and it feels even more special as today is my 100 post on Inside the Chicken Coop.

Wishing you all a magical Christmas and wonderful 2012.

Di

xx

Moving to the big house

After two weeks of getting my little ex battery hens, I am thrilled to report on their progress. I had a few weeks of worry before collecting them as apparently some do not make it due to the dramatic change of life style. Thankfully, Faith, Hope and Charity are enjoying their new life and seem to be thriving in their surroundings.

I introduced them last week to Blodwyn and Bethan and was very happy with how it went. I let them meet through some netting first then took the plunge and put them into the large run all together. Bethan puffed herself out and swamped the poor little things but it wasn't too aggressive and soon they were all free ranging together. Tiny little Charity pictured below is the smallest of the three but was happy to scoff some lunch while the old girls sussed her out. The sweet thing is, she has now latched on to them just like a little sister and follows them around. I think they are showing her the ropes as she was the first to come out and scratch around with them and is already using the proper water container to drink from. Prior to this they were actually paddling in their water container then standing on the edge to tip it over. I was replacing it constantly so this is a great result that they are all following the experts and learning how to live.

It was always my plan to introduce them as soon as possible, as Bethan and Blodwyn have a huge coop with plenty of room and it didn't seem right to keep three young hens in a little coop. The good thing is I can use that now for a nursery pen and it will be great when I get some more as I hope to in the future.

The most touching sight was to see these little hens scratching around and taking their new world in. Pictured above is Hope enjoying her new surroundings, though she is still a bit confused with it all and retreats back into the safety of the coop every so often. They seem to love just being inside the coop too as there is so much room for them and plenty of things to stimulate them. I dragged some large branches in the other day for them to perch on also some old logs that are full of interesting things for them to peck at.

I was thrilled when I finally put them all into the 'Big house' all together, they ate a light supper and took themselves to bed without any problems and next morning there were not too many ruffled feathers, which makes me hope that they are getting on.

It's great to watch their progress and see them learn how to free range, enjoying life inside and out of their new chicken coop.

Faith, Hope and Charity

I went to pick up some ex-battery hens today. It was a very moving experience as when I got to the pick-up point, I met many people carrying hens away in all sorts of containers to start a new and happy life.

Within minutes of completing the paperwork, I was presented with my three little girls, who only this morning would have been living a very different life to the one they are now.

I sat with them on the journey home, peeping at them often to make sure they were ok. I even ensured we had relaxing music for them as we drove along.

It was amazing to watch as I pulled the cover gently from the top, they all moved towards the corner of the box to be bathed in the sparkling sunshine that beamed through the car window. Maybe their first experience of sunlight.

On reaching home, we lifted them into their new coop and very soon they started to eat, drink and explore their new home and by dusk they obediently let me put them to bed.

So, this is a new life for Faith, Hope and Charity. In the months to follow they will join the existing team and show a different side of life inside the chicken coop.