chicken rescue

Back during the hurricane prep we did a chicken rescue. As usual, when we are scurrying madly something else gets thrown into the mix. There were 15 chickens and a rooster that needed a home. We went to loom and the poor things were living in a 4x8 dog kennel.Many were missing feathers, one tipped over when it tries to walk, one had a runny eye, many looked good and one was a baby. We were worried they may be sick but were even more worried about their future if we didn't take them. So it began. We loaded them into a crate in the truck, took down the dog kennel, left the coop behind...yuck! They wanted us to take it...have you ever smelled rotting eggs 40 days old! We came home and everyone pitched in and helped erect the kennel, far from the other chickens, in the dark. We had to cover it for the hurricane and then moved them in. They stayed there for 2 weeks while we watched to be sure they were no sick. They were improving everyday...they just needed fresh air and a healthy environment. We let them into the new larger coop and fenced area we had made for our chickens for the winter. Then we let everyone out together, the first time the new girls have been pastured in their lives!! The new ones and original ones got along fine. We were worried we would have to re home the rooster but he is harmless. We think he is old and only crows in the morning 4 or 5 times before tiring! They all continue to improve and all have survived. The feathers are improving but we think some are geriatric. At least they will live out their lives happily here. They are getting very friendly, happy to have a good home i guess, even the rooster will follow us around. One chicken loves to be picked up and cuddled. We are getting lots of eggs each day including some blue ones since we now have some Americana's!

Some of the new flock.

The rooster