Hen ID help!

[citizentwiglet]

I'm sorry, I don't have any photos.....I'm doing this as a favour for my friend.

She has hens. She has to move out of her house (a rented farmhouse) and is having to give up the chooks. She bought them with no knowledge or experience, but seems to have looked after them beautifully - BUT she doesn't know what breeds they are. I offered to help her advertise them, I have explained that she needs to tell me a breed, but she honestly doesn't know. She bought them from a farm, I believe, they are not ex battery stock.

Errm. All I know is that some are pure white, and some are black. All are good layers and are happy around dogs, cats, and children. The white ones, apparently, are a bit cheekier than the black ones.

Is this a long shot?

Anyway, if anyone is interested in having 5 hens of dubious background AND a hen-house - free to a good home AS LONG as you are willing to share the eggs around friends and family, and love them as your own children (her words, not mine), and can pick up safely from Kilmarnock, please send me a PM and I will be able to set the wheels in motion for you.

Personally, I want the hens. But I don't have the room. I only have the front garden, and the local neds will terrorise them.

[Millymollymandy]

If they are being offered for free it isn't necessary to know what breed they are as so many are hybrids anyway and hybrids have many names (breeders names) which all equate to 'red' 'black' 'grey' or 'white' laying hens. Hope she is successful in rehoming them.

[Green Aura]

Well thank you very much twiggy - you've just caused a marital tiff, the day after our anniversary

I've been told I can't have them (he's not usually so forceful).

Realistically, of course, we can't. We're in the middle of a major garden revamp so it's like a building site. Not to mention the stress a 5 hour drive would cause the chooks.

I hate it when he's right! Fortunately it doesn't happen often.

Hope she gets them rehomed.

[citizentwiglet]

Ach, my desire for chooks has caused so many rows I'm glad we're not married! Honestly, I would love them (I got first refusal), but my head has to rule over my heart on this one.

Thanks for the clarification over the breed thing, MMM. I have asked the committee of the community garden if they know any willing takers, failing that I shall put up a poster; hopefully someone will be able to give them a loving home.

Annpan?? Want some chooks???

[Millymollymandy]

Thanks for the clarification over the breed thing, MMM.

Eeeks that was just my opinion, but I don't see it as any different from giving away kittens or puppies of the mongrel variety.

[Thomzo]

I quite agree, Mandy, who would complain about the breed if you're getting them for free? How about Freecycle? I know our local one will allow you to advertise animals if you check with the mods first.

Zoe

[Kat-bob]

I would take them (as long as they would be happy liveing free) but Glasgows a bit far away! I'm up in Aberdeenshire.

And yes I love my chooks as surrogate children infact I think the broodiness I should feel at my age has been transferred to chooks. At least it's cheaper!