Battery vs Free range

[RedThorn]

Hi All

I was wondering if someone could clarify something for me.....

I know that morally one should get ex-Battery hens, however reading some threads, there seems to be some significant drawbacks to getting ex-battery hens. What is the general feeling out there.

The hens would be for eggs only as I am vegetarian and my OH would never eat a hen I slaughtered for her.

We've been uhmming and ahhing over this for about a year now and were quite shocked at the price of food! At this moment in time, the jury is still out as to whether to get some chooks or not.

I have some very fond memories from my childhood and would like my 4 year old to experiance some of those memories for herself.

[lynda66]

if you want some loving hens that are pets, with the bonus of some eggs, then go for it, basically battery hens are bred to lay intensively for the first 12-18 months, and drop off significantly afterwards, and as they are bred solely for egg laying, they have a much shorter lifespan than those who don't lay as many.

getting an ex-bat is more than that though, it is saving them from slaughter after a crappy life stuck in a cage, giving them chance to finally feel grass, and the sun on their backs, and be a real chicken, even if it is only for a few months.

[BrideXIII]

Hi All

I was wondering if someone could clarify something for me.....

I know that morally one should get ex-Battery hens, however reading some threads, there seems to be some significant drawbacks to getting ex-battery hens. What is the general feeling out there.

The hens would be for eggs only as I am vegetarian and my OH would never eat a hen I slaughtered for her.

We've been uhmming and ahhing over this for about a year now and were quite shocked at the price of food! At this moment in time, the jury is still out as to whether to get some chooks or not.

I have some very fond memories from my childhood and would like my 4 year old to experiance some of those memories for herself.

I don't have chickens, my mum does, but here is a thought..........

morally is one thing, and rescuing ex-batts is to be admired, but is it what you NEED.
I hope all the others will correct me if i am wrong ( and i know i am in some cases) but ex-batts are ex cos they are coming to the end of their egg laying time?

if you don't NEED a large supply of eggs, and you just want to experience along with your child, keeping chickens, then get ex-batts.
just dont feel you 'should'.

[RedThorn]

I know ... I am torn however, I agree wholeheartedly that chickens should grow up like the did in my memories ( Where your biggest problem was catching them!) however, My 4yr old would be heartbroken if they only lived a few months. She cried for ages over a hamster, Bless her.

[janeyo]

Hi you can get rescued free range hens too, they don't have to be battery ones. Little Hen rescue has them for £1.50 per bird. Our non rescue hens were about a tenner each at point of lay. When we want more we shall go for ex free rangers as they should be easier to settle and manage.

Ours are more of a pet, once you have added the cost of the coop, run, food, feeders, drinkers, corn, grit, lice powder, wormer, etc... they would have to lay you an awful lot of eggs to recoup the cost!

But they do make great pets, friendly, funny to watch, they each have different personalities, and easy to look after, and they give you a present each day! Brilliant!

janeyo

ps I am pretty sure that ex batts are sold/ culled after they have laid for a year as under the stressful conditions they live in as bettery hens their egg production falls.Farmer wants guarateed eggs. However, once they are rescued, most will happily lay an egg a day for a long time!

[lynda66]

then don't get chickens bred specifically for egg laying, get something cute like silkies, they make great pets, and are smaller than normal chickens.

[janeyo]

Chickens can drop down dead at any time, they don't have to be ex-batts. For no apparant reason!

janeyo

[RedThorn]

Chickens can drop down dead at any time, they don't have to be ex-batts. For no apparant reason!

janeyo

sorry that made me chuckle *smacks back of hand*
Agreed that it's part of nature for all to live and die.
Now if only I could rescue some silkies.....
As there is only the 3 of us, number of eggs wanted/required is not big. My Oh is a childminder so would also be good for the other kids too. Hmmm like the sounds of the silkies

[lynda66]

Chickens can drop down dead at any time, they don't have to be ex-batts. For no apparant reason!

janeyo

but then if they don't drop dead for no reason, hens not bred for egg laying should live longer, was kinda what i meant ...... cos if it comes to that, so can we

[BrideXIII]

sorry that made me chuckle *smacks back of hand*
Agreed that it's part of nature for all to live and die.
Now if only I could rescue some silkies.....
As there is only the 3 of us, number of eggs wanted/required is not big. My Oh is a childminder so would also be good for the other kids too. Hmmm like the sounds of the silkies

silkies make Gorgeous pets, my dad used them as 'brooders' and they were my mums faves.

they lost the lot to a fox raid, such is life, but..........yeah a few of those would make a great addition for the kids. (can you tell i am partial?)

[Bephlam]

Silkies are lovely little things, but won't give you a great deal of eggs. In my experience they're not great layers, but BRILLIANT broodies.

I'm going to hatch some silkies in Spring though - wait till then and I'll let you rescue mine! lol

[BrideXIII]

Silkies are lovely little things, but won't give you a great deal of eggs. In my experience they're not great layers, but BRILLIANT broodies.

I'm going to hatch some silkies in Spring though - wait till then and I'll let you rescue mine! lol

and then of course there is Lynda, no chance of her stoping at 6 and some ducks, not now she has the hang of it

[Bephlam]

lol - yeah...Lynda is well addicted to the home hatching!!!

[RedThorn]

Silkies are lovely little things, but won't give you a great deal of eggs. In my experience they're not great layers, but BRILLIANT broodies.

I'm going to hatch some silkies in Spring though - wait till then and I'll let you rescue mine! lol

*Considers the distance and the carbon footprint.......*


Hmm why not make a holiday of it too.... pick up some chooks on the return trip.......hmmm. Better hide your chooks Bephlam

[Bephlam]

lol - don't worry, they're well locked up. You'd need bolt cutters...etc...I'm sure I'd hear you before you did too much damage.