Hopefully getting some ex batts! First time chicken keeper here.

[Erbitrude]

I am excited!

I havent had chickens since i was a little girl and i used to spend my summers in Grandads chicken run. He must have had well over a hundred until some little scrote decided to burn it down in the middle of the night.

We are hoping to get 3 or 4. I have bought an ebay coop but i am not sure it will be big enough for more than 3 looking around the net. I am having my dad build a walk in run for them as well.

Did i mention i was excited?

[Glutton4...]

YAY! Another one to join the Vine Chookaholics!

Remember, we neeeeeeeeed pictures!

[petal]

ex batts are just lovely - what a good choice- and if you are worried or need any advice you can always ask on here.I rescued 12 in the winter and rehabilitated them - they are such characters!

[Nicsknots]

Woohoo! I got hens on Tuesday so I know how you feel. I'm still excited and have to go and have a chat with my girls when I'm home
I got an ebay coop but am already planning an extension too

[Erbitrude]

I'm very excited now! We pick up 4 girls tomorrow afternoon!
Their coop is all ready for them!

[grenhouse]

Just be careful, I started with 4 ex free range chucks and since then have had all sorts (although I have had to cut down some!). Its a great and rewarding hobby and hopefully your excitement will continue!

Steve

[Erbitrude]

They are here! Arent they lovely?
Oh, and they didnt all come home in the same cat basket, they just liked that one once they got out!

[polo]

They look in surprisingly good nick. How long had they been free? Just interested as I have just registered for some ex-batts and having seen the photos of Sue's hens recently was gearing up for some very baldy hens. It must be very exciting and satisfying knowing you have rescued them!!

Was thinking they liked the cat basket because it was like home

Enjoy ..Polo

[Suechooks]

They look in surprisingly good nick. How long had they been free? Just interested as I have just registered for some ex-batts and having seen the photos of Sue's hens recently was gearing up for some very baldy hens. It must be very exciting and satisfying knowing you have rescued them!!

Was thinking they liked the cat basket because it was like home

Enjoy ..Polo

I think it's the luck of the draw Polo. My ex-batts from a few years ago were much like the last lot but in between I've had some in really good nick.

[Erbitrude]

polo: The lady said they picked them up on saturday, so only about 24 hours.
Most of the ones i saw there were in pretty good nick, although there were a few featherbare.
2 of mine have bare bottoms, and the other two have a few feathers missing, but overall they look a lot healthier than i expected them to.
Today will be mostly spent chicken watching! I have my chair set up ready

[chris]

They're such lovely creatures, until they fly into your greenhouse via the roof vents (only way I can possibly think of how she got in) and eat ALL your tomatoes, aubergines, seedlings, etc).

Perhaps the temptation was just that little bit too much!

It is fun watching them pootle about your garden though, must admit.

Moral? Lock up & your wanted plants, everything else will be eaten (oh and have backups for when they break down the defenses!)

[elizajay]

Sounds like your chook has been eating poisonous plants Chris, hope she's OK?

[chris]

They all eat my rhubarb too (in it's growing season).. so far they appear to be fine.. It was one of the reasons why I asked about it before and was informed they pretty much know what they can and can't eat!

I guess either mine have iron guts, or are a bit more 'tap' than usual!

[evvy2]

Good luck with the hens. I have 4, 2 are ex batts and one of those was bald when I got her, they are both doing well now though Ive had them a couple of months.

[mrswadders]

they look really good, we're on our 3 batch now, have lost 2 but still have 6! we started off with quite a small coop and run, but now it seems to be gradually taking over the garden!! They are so rewarding, I love watching them they are just so comical, I would never have guessed what gannets they are until I got them they eat everything in sight!