I like the title of this post. It describes something positive, something happy and warming. It’s exactly how I felt yesterday, collecting our new rescue hens. Three little girls came home with us to start a new life, they’re a much-needed tonic for me and everything I can possibly give them will be a tonic for them too. I’m pouring every ounce of optimism and energy that I have left (after a very traumatic few weeks) into ‘fixing’ these lovely little hens. They truly are rays of sunshine.
They’re a bit hen-pecked I know, also very tired and extremely pale. One hen in particular is terrified of everything, including other hens, but she’ll come round once she realises she doesn’t have to hide or be afraid for her life anymore. I named her ‘Pumpkin’ because she travelled home on my lap wrapped in an orange blanket. The name just seemed to fit. It will take a little longer for her to adjust than the others (sometimes, as I watch Pumpkin pitifully trying to make herself invisible by crouching low to the floor or trying desperately to find somewhere to hide because another hen joined her at the feeder, I find myself drifting off and thinking about how awful her time in a cage must have really been).
Don’t allow their current appearance to mislead you, as sorry as they look they’re very interested in what this new life with us has to offer, adjusting to the new accommodation, environment, sounds, smells and us humans very quickly, they literally just get on with it and I’m always in awe of this reaction from newly rescued hens.
Just how long these dear little hens have left in this world is unknown, it could be months, it could be years. I don’t care about eggs, it’s not what they’re here for, whatever time they have it will be miles much better than they’ve previously known and hopefully I can put a ray of sunshine back into their lives too.
Quick edit: A little snippet video of Pumpkin, feeling the sunshine
Good for you! xx
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That is so heart warming. They’ll look happy and perky in no time! :)
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Oh wow, well done you for giving them a chance at a lovely life after all they have been through. Quite shocking to see the condition they are driven into by their lives as caged hens. I’m looking forward to seeing them getting better. So glad there are people like you to give them nice homes.
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It is shocking, sadly I’ve seen hens much worse. Thank you for your lovely comment CJ
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It’s a great thing you do!
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How wonderful…our girls were all rescue girls and it breaks your heart when you get them..no idea how to be chickens,makes you angry too but also makes you feel hope because you know their lives are now about to be what they should always have been!! look forward to seeing how they progress :) good for you and so happy to see them out of the hell hole thye came from :) Hugs Fozziemum xx
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This is a good thing to do! :-)
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Fair shout to you – I subscribe to your blog and so having read your last few weeks I hope the girls give you some solace whilst you give them a new life :)
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Many thanks Lisa
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I truly look forward to seeing the difference in them in a few weeks with their feathers nicely filled out, enjoying the sunshine and their combs perking up. I am sure you will bring them on in no time and the rest of the flock will be teaching them how to be real hens. i am going to send these pictures to everyone I know who buys their ruddy eggs from a supermarket. Good work Karen and anybody else who can give these poor girls a home!
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Well done! Let us hope that by rescuing them they have a happy time with you. You can help make up for the hell these farming systems put them through. How can it be legal to be so cruel?
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I hope these new chickens bring you much joy. :)
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What a great article, really heart warming stuff.
I too cant wait to see the improvement in these poor animals and well done for doing such a kind act – very insperational.
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That is wonderful you rescue animals and are giving this “pumpkin” a new home!
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Oh Karen, they look so pale having been shut away in cramped conditions. It’s sometimes difficult to recall what ex-bats look like when you first bring them home given how quickly they can improve their outward appearance. Our 3 have been with us almost 2 years and are now fully feathered, plumped up and wrecking the lawn! I hope they bring you much joy and laughs for as long as they’re with you.
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So unbelievably cute! I hope you’re all getting on well :)
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Wow. Your doing such a good thing!
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