Advice on Battery Chickens

[lozza_9]

Hi

We are getting 2 battery chickens very soon, we have 2 chickens already

Anyone got any advice on what to do when they first arrive, how should we prepare?

Loz

[NOG]

You will need to check their nails and clip if neccess, as they then to be long. I would keep them apart from the others for a week and for the first day keep them inside.

Every thing will be new to them and they will need to adjust and unwind. I would keep a good eye on them when you first mix them so they dont get bullied by the others.

[nicola o]

Hi Lozza

When I got my three ex-bats last year they were quite weak and I was advised to keep them completely seperate from my others girls for at least three to four weeks to allow them time to regain their strength. They were a bit shocked and stunned for the first few days, but they soon settled in.

Well done on getting ex-bats, give them lots of love, treats, and patience and they will repay you by being the friendliest little chooks ever - and hopefully loads of eggs

Nicola.

[MaureenHall]

I don't know anything at all about integrating ex-batts with established chickens, but I rescued 6 ex-batts a couple of weeks ago, and they're fantastic! They were really shy and timid the first day, but came out of the coop on their own into the run on day 2. I'm getting 2 or 3 eggs a day from them and now they have the run of the garden (no hope for the flowerbeds!).
1 of the girls has laid some eggs with no shells. Anyone any ideas on this? Could it be that she's just an old lady now and things are starting to pack up?

[HeyWayne]

Make sure you charge them fully before you use them for the first time.

[Paul Wagland]

We have two ex batts and are due to pick up two more on Saturday. The lady from the Battery Hen Welfare Trust said they may need to be kept apart, but only if our two girls pick on them. She said particularly watch out for any blood as chickens can be quite cannibalistic! As the new birds will be half naked they are at risk of being cut in a scuffle.

They may also be too weak to get up onto perches, or climb a ramp to the hen house. Sadly, this is because the farmers often don't feed them when they know they are going to get rid of them.

1 of the girls has laid some eggs with no shells. Anyone any ideas on this? Could it be that she's just an old lady now and things are starting to pack up?

One of our girls started doing this, and has now stopped laying altogether (for about a week so far). Other grapes have told me this is probably because she is moulting (and needs the energy which would otherwise go into making eggs). The BHWT people also said that birds can do this when their environment changes - for example when they come out of the battery farm.

[seasprout]

Howdy.

Just a quick hello and welcome to Maureenhall. Well done on getting ex-bats.
I don't have chickens, wish I could.

And you will get used to Heywayne, he's won awards for his sly humor don't cher know.

[NOG]

Ex Batts are normall year olds /28 month max so you should get a few years out of them.

[sunflower]

Hi everyone, Just got our 5 ex bats hens last Saturday. They are really cute, but in a sorry state. Especially Lucy who is the tiniest of the 300 rescued in Dorset. She looks as if she's been half plucked then the person has taken a coffee break! However, Lucy is feeding well and very friendly, as all of them are. Today is fantastic. They have all been out in the run in the sunshine dustbathing. I also feel happier about them today as I have added Poultry Lifeguard to their water, the dosage for hens in a poor condition. They are also getting poultry spice in their layers mash, and the hemcore(bedding) is liberally dusted with red mite powder. I have 2 weeks holiday from work, so can spend some time with them during their rehab. Hens are great fun! and their eggs are good!

[yoanbob]

Keep them seperate till they feel up to fighting for their new pecking order postions and good luck.

[kirsty b]

I have ex-bats too and it is so rewarding watching them learning how be chickens after so long living in cages.
Its great when you see them after a couple of months when they are fully feathered.

[sunflower]

Today, tiny 'no feathers yet' Lucy had the time of her life dustbathing. It was so sweet to watch. At one point she had nearly turned right onto her back. It will be great when her feathers grow. All of them today are scratching around like mad which is so good to see. This evening I made a warm porrdige out of the layers mash and the hens demolished that within minutes!

[janeyo]

I would say try and introduce them to the others at dusk as they are going to all be less stressed then. And they may all huddle up together and be friends in the morning - in a good night john-boy sort of way (we can hope).
Get some purple spray in case there are any wounds from fighting and be prepared to separate them. Maybe let them just look at each other first. They will prob need teaching how to roost too, but you can go in after dark and put them on the perches and they will soon get the habg of it!

janeyo