The Beastly Beasts

Six Weeks - Six Hens

posted by Chris at 14:48

I hadn't expected to do a post about Little; this one I had planned.

Back in Jan six new girls came to stay having been rescued from Leicestershire. They are called Uhura, Deanna, Kira, Jadzia, B'Elanna, and Kes; the Trekkies among you will instantly recognise the names. Thanks to a comment about the meaning of Uhura's name I did a bit of research, and it turns out they are all real names:

Uhrua

Uhrua
Uhrua: Freedom (derived from the Swahili word uhuru)

Deanna

Deanna
Deanna: Divine (Latin)

Kira

Kira
Kira: Dark Lady (Celtic)

Jadzia

Jadzia
Jadzia: Princess (Polish)

Kes

Kes
Kes: Chaste (An old proto-Indo-European word meaning to cut or divide, and is the root of our word chaste)

B'Elanna
B'Elanna: Sun Ray (Greek), Elanna being derived from Helen, and of course Helen of Troy ran off with Paris; one wonders if the creators of Voyager being a bit clever.

The first thing I noticed when they arrived was just how healthy the original girls looked; you kind of forget the state they were in when they first arrived.

The new girls ranged from B'Elanna who had a bald bum and neck, through Kes who while she had feathers was (still is) soooo tiny, through to Jadzia who apart from a pale comb and face looked perfect.

Kes I didn't think would make it. She seemed to spend so much time asleep. To give her a chance she came indoors for a few days. I'm glad to say she has made it.

As the weather was cold and we were due the snow I got the girls some coats, and special thanks to Maggie Turton and the other ladies at Blisworth WI for arranging them for me. Maybe the girls might have got by without them, but I'm sure they kept warmer with them during some bitterly cold days.

Kira

Kira

Kes

Uhura

Kira

Introducing new girls is an eye opener. Those placid friendly ladies you've had for a while turn into harpies bent on destruction. However, over the course of a couple of weeks things calmed down and now everyone gets on fine.

Kira, Deanna and Jadzia

B'Elanna in the Snow

At first the new girls would stay in the run under the coop. After a few days they ventured into the extension run and after about two weeks or so started exploring the area I have fenced off by netting. When the weather finally got better and I let them free range the old hands (wings?) were out like a shot; the new girls - despite having been able to see the garden would not pass the netting. Until that is they realised that treats are served on the lawn. Now everyone free ranges and races down the garden when the back door opens.

I get asked quite often how greyhounds and hens get on. I think this photo answers that question.

Troy and Jack with the girls

I have seen it with dogs, Monty, Troy and Rosie in particular, and it is just the same with ex-battery hens: seeing them become the creatures they were always supposed to be; watching them as they learn their natural ways and enjoy what it is they do and being what they are. There is a real pleasure in seeing chickens that have spent a year unable to stretch their wings lying out in the early spring sun wings outstretched and watching them scratch at the ground then inspect to see what they may have uncovered. If you have ever thought about having hens do get some ex-batts; they are brilliant.

B'Elanna

B'Ellana Sporting New Feathers

Little - RIP

posted by Chris at 14:18

Sad to say that Little has gone to great chicken coop.

Just before Christmas she went to the vet as she was very listless, however she seemed to recover from that. Yesterday, just before I took The Beasts out, I gave the girls their afternoon treats and noticed Little was missing; I found her hunched up in the coop. I took her indoors and gave her water and yoghurt, but sadly on returning from our walk she had died.

Little

Little when she arrived

Little was named because she was the smallest of the bunch and, as you can see, did not have too many feathers; she was also at the bottom of the pecking order and went out of her way to avoid everyone else.

Little

Little - a recent picture

But she turned into a beautiful golden coloured lady with dapples on her neck and became immeasurably more confident in herself and hung around with the others, Babs, Bunty, Ginger and Penny.

I'm glad she had 10 months of freedom.

Guess Where I Went Yesterday

posted by Troy at 12:19

Summink was goin' on; I had a bath on Wednesday, dad reckoned I 'ad to be spotless - for what?

For what? I'll tell yer for what. Cop yer peepers on this:

Special Dog Admission Ticket to Crufts

Yep, an admission ticket to Crufts for a Special Dog - that'll be me then. Me an'dad were there doin' a couple of stints on The Blue Cross stand.

Dad and me on The Blue Cross stand

Well, I fought I'd died an' gone 'eaven; tell yer wot, if you want a cuddle get yerself to Crufts. There are 'undreds, no fousands, of 'umans there an' pretty much every one of 'em stops and gives yer a cuddle.

'Course, we weren't there just so's I could have cuddles. We was there to tell people about the Children's Educational Program wot The Blue Cross run and The Beastly Beasts and loads of other dogs are part of. Loads of people fought that it was a great idea, and while they were finkin' about it they would give me a cuddle.

So me an' dad did two stints on the stand. When we pitched up Oskar was there with 'is 'umans. Oskar is a special guy 'coz he looks after 'is mum.

In between we went an' 'ad a gander round the show. OK, we've been to shows like the Gap Show, but this is bigger than them like as in it is 'uuuge!! And it goes on for four days!!

While we was 'avin' wander we bumped into Skye. He'd just got second place in a competition and we found out later on he got first in another - nice one Skye.

Dad of course 'ad to go an 'ave 'is Wolfhound fix an' we met a lovely lady who does wolfhound and greyhound rescue in Canada.

Then it was time for a bite to eat, but before that dad needed to go to the loo. Now, I know it sounds weird, but 'umans don't just 'ave a wee up fings, they go into special rooms to do it. Problem was I weren't allowed into the special room wiv dad, so we 'ad to get a security bloke to 'ang on to me so dad didn't 'ave to 'ang on if yer get my meaning.

Troy and security

Me Wiv Security

Then it was food. We both 'ad an 'ot dog each; tasty they were too. And I managed to blag extras off a couple of other people who weren't going to eat all theirs; I reckon I 'ad two 'ot dogs all togevver - result. Then back to The Blue Cross stand and more cuddles.

Troy and child

Me and 'Uman Puppy Quein' for Grub

Nearly everyone said 'ow handsome I was and loads of people asked 'ow old I am and seemed amazed that I'm 9½, saying I looked much younger and was dead fit for a dog my age - flattery of course gets you everywhere. Lots of people said that greyhounds are the best ever dogs - can't disagree there can I? Some people asked if we make good pets; 'course we do - though the word is companions; pets is for yer lesser beings.

As we were going we bumped into Sarah and Linda from White Lodge, that's when we 'eard about Skye's 1st place. We 'ad a rattle wiv them and then it was time to go 'ome. Even then we got stopped loads of times so people could say hello.

Troy

Yours T
Thanks to Peter Rostron for this pic

I 'ad a great day. I reckon we told a fair few people about the work of The Blue Cross and got some dosh in the tins, and told some people about greyhounds. If you were one of the people wot gave me a hug, put some dosh in The Blue Cross tins or gave me a bit of your 'ot dog - fanks. Maybe see you next year.