battery hens in scotland

[starbright]

Hi guys,

sorry for all the posts today just have loads of questions.

I am going to get 3 chickens in september, i have given up cat breeding and my stud cat is coming inside to live (just need to get him neutered first)so his stud run will now be a chicken house (they will be free range during the day)

does anyone know where i can get ex-battery hens in scotland? i know it is a few months away but would like to get organised and know where to go??

also do you guys think that ex-battery is the way to go? or should i get a pure breed chicken? The main thing i need is a friendly chicken who doesnt make loads of noise.

thanks

lisa

[annaradiog]

Battery hens are lovely, I have't got them personally but I know someone who has.

They look very sad and terrified when they first arrive and it takes them a while to come outside as they are not used to space. They may stop laying for a week or 2 while they get over the shock but they soon settle in.

They may look in an awful state when you first get them but they will soon perk up although be prepared to perhaps lose 1 or 2 to the shock or poor condition.

I don't live in Scotland but if you google 'rehoming battery hens' there is a website that will tell you or you could directly get in touch with a local chicken farming who may sell some to you cheap before they turn into readymeal curries or something.

Hope this helps
Anna

[Alice]

Starbright, I think it depends on what it is you want to do. If you want to rescue animals who have had a dreadful life, then ex battery hens is the way to go. But these hens might be past their best egg laying days.
So if you want hens to give maximum egg producton then check out which breeds are best layers.
If ultimately you want them for the pot, then that is a different question and you need to check it out.
Some breeds are less noisy than others and you have to put that in the equation with their egg laying/ roasting abilities.
And the fox question. Will the stud run and day time ranging area be fox proof ? Foxes don't just operate at night.
And will your tom cat be happy living in the house minus his male organs. Is he house trained and people friendly, or if he has been living out in his own kingdom, will he go about the house spraying as he did before (Sometimes they still spray after being neutered)
Sorry it's more questions than answers, but all things to think about.
Where are you in Scotland.
You can go to your personal profile and show that if you want to.
Hope it all works out well for you.

[Salina]

I want to get some hens and ducks when we move and am definetly going to go for ex-battery hens. they deserve a good free range life no matter how long or short it will be after the misery and torture they endured on the battery farm.
try www.thehenshouse.co.uk I think it is very informative.
Good Luck!

[Spikeybell]

Hi there, I have had 5 ex battery hens for just over a year now and they are still laying like troupers, they are such a joy to have each with there own individual characters, we got ours through the battery hens welfare trust, i know that they have a group in your area, so look them up on the net

the address for the battery hens trust is the link above just noticed it, anyway I wuld def suggest that you go for it, once you get over the initial shock of the way they look at first it all good from there on

[homes4hens]

battery hens scotland

*** APPEAL ***
We are a battery hen rescue for the North of England and South of Scotland. We recently rescued 100 hens and we are now looking for your support in re-homing these girls. If you or anybody you know are looking for hens then please pass on our details. Please go to our website    - Home for information about what we do and why we do it. Many thanks