Had confirmation of the hens for rehoming now, please tell me everything I need ready for them, also is there somewhere online who will deliver feed?
:)

First of all don't panic, it's all relatively simple :D

You'll obviously need the hen house (and run) with straw in the nest box and shavings on the floor (there are lots of variations on this!), they'll probably sleep in the nest box to start with.

You'll also need a waterer and a feeder with layers mash in. Introduce new foods slowly as they'll only have known the mash so far. Stick to giving treats such as mixed corn just once a day, at tea time, they'll soon learn then to come to you. They will prefer the treats though but the layers mash and pellets is a balanced food and has the nutrients they'll need to continue to lay. They'll be very hungry when you get them home as they'll have been starved before heading off to slaughter.

They may go off lay for a few days because of the stress of the move and then again after a few weeks when moulting but every hen is different and may not.

Have a look at the link in my signature and got to the Adopting Hens page for some more information.

With regards to buying food online, I'm not aware of anywhere although I'm sure there would be someone doing it... but the postage would be very high. You could try Argo in Pennistone, Parklands at Aston, or if you are collecting from my yard at Hellaby there is Hopewells just on the industrial estate (but they are closed on Sundays). Otherwise any agricultural merchant should stock layers mash and pellets. PM me if you get stuck.

Ooooh youa re so lucky! Good luck with them:)

I got my hens from the last rescue and am loving them! They really are easy to look after and are really entertaining.

I was going to make a hen house but after adding up the costs I decided to buy one which I am glad I did. I think it would have taken me ages to do and wouldn't have been anway near as good - mine wasn't a bad price compared to a lot of hen houses I've seen.

I was a bit scared to pick them up at first, they were bigger than I expected, and so were their beaks and claws! So I would recommend having some gardening gloves to hand in case you feel the same way, it means you can confidently pick them up meaning less stress on the birds.

I know Jobi-wan has a kniting pattern for some jumpers for the featherless girls - it might be worth having a look at this if your any good at knitting. My girls were in good condition for battery hens when I got them so were ok but if yours are not in as good condition and as it's quite cold at the moment they might benefit from something to keep them warm.

Other than that as long as you've got all the basics, shelter, run, food etc you'll be fine. Oh and get some sweetcorn for them as a treat once they've settled in, mine love it!

I'll leave some ready knitted (by lovely SF'ers) jumpers for any baldies coming out at the next rescue with Sarah as I'll not actually be at this rescue (gutted as it's the only other weekend I had something planned!). My OH will hopefully be helping out that day though so between them they'll be able to trim claws if needed, but otherwise it's as easy as trimming a dogs and you'll be given instructions on it anyway before the day.

I'll be contacting each of the rehomers prior to the rescue to arrange collection etc so you'll have my number if you have any problems, even though I won't be there on the day. :)

My rescued Hens are housed in a shed cum dog run that's been converted into an aviary, it has a stable door, so when hen's go in at night they are safely tucked up on straw bed.
They need layers mash to start with, I get mine from the wholesale pet store on cricket inn road. They have two feeders but the feed one gets clogged up so find a big tray is better. They are on pellet now, plus treat's of fresh corn on cob and dry corn you scatter for them.

They become very tame quickly and follow you everywhere...it's brill! Even let mine in the house for something different to do and they love trying to pick the knotts out of the laminate flooring...you have to follow them with a baby wipe for little accidents but they don't have many. They will quite happily sit on your lap for a cuddle too.

I just can't wait for summer, when they will get a purpose built run out in the garden.
My hens are still laying 3 eggs per day and lovely eggs they are too, that's saying something cos I don't usually eat eggs!
Easy to keep, brill characters and I'm sure they have no clue whatsoever about they're intended fate had we not rescued them....or have they? They are very trusting and friendly to say what they've been through.

You'll definitely need an egg recipe book, or try here for some good ones: http://incredibleegg.org/recipes.html

Cholesterol bebuggered, any good intentions I had of giving eggs away to friends and family have pretty much gone out the window at the moment. I could give these away, or... deviled eggs. It's no contest really, though I do fear the size my arse will eventually grow to.

I've had mine about 3 months now and I absolutely love it. Their behaviour constantly baffles and you'll find you shake your head and sigh at them a bit, but in a good way. I've recently had a broody one and cooling down her underside was... interesting! She's back to her slack moraled egg abandoning self once again though.

Enjoy!