New hens-ex batts and breeds.

[rachd26]

Hi,

I am planning on getting a few hens, and was thinking of going for 2 pekins, 1 light sussex and a rescued hen. I have found somewhere locally to get the pekins and L. sussex- they are all under 11 weeks at the moment (and will exchange them if they are wrongly sexed!). I have spoken to a lady regarding ex battery hens, and she felt that it wouldn't work mixing them, as they would fight. I was thinking that having breeds that are fairly placid and young they would (hopefully) get on ok? I have a friend who has been helping a lot, but I wanted to give her a break from chicken questions, and I thought some people here might have some advice.
Thanks,

Rachel

[Chocolate Brownie]

we have a rosecomb, a magpie, a light sussex bantum, a white star and 31 ex-bats all together so I am sure that they will be ok, they tend to fight a bit on the first couple of days to sort out there pecking order. but it depends on there size, if theres on alot smaller then the other one then you should split them up or they will pick on the small one.

[MaureenHall]

Why just 1 rescued? Is she an ex-batt? If so, I'd be tempted to get 3 (just in case 1 dies) and they'd all be in the same state together ...................... if you see what I'm getting at

[Hashette]

I've only ever had ex-batts, but as far as I know the squabbling is inevitable whether they're ex-batts or from a breeder. It soon settles down, but you really do have to leave them to get on with it.

I'm with Mo, get more than one ex-batt or she'll be picked on by the others, at least if a couple are in the same state then it's not obvious who's bottom of the pecking order

Good luck and hope your girls settle in quickly

[Hans Mum]

i've got a mix too and other than the inevitable sorting out of the pecking order they are all fine now, and top girl is an ex-batt

[Snadger]

I've got some pre-bats, chooks that were destined for the battery but were surplus to requirements and were point of lay!

PS Thinking about it, ex bats haven't spent ALL there life in a cage as they won't be added to the cage until they are laying, prior to that they are kept in barns methinks?

[HayleyB]

Welcome to the madvine Rach, you are only down the road from us, anyway as my darling daughter Choc Brownie said they will mix fine. BUT bear in mind that you will get the bat at a different time to the others so will get picked on big time so it would be best to get a couple at least so they can share the inevitable bullying in the first few days. BTW Frontier down the A1 is cheapest for food