daj198 Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Got home today to find only two chickens... Hetti was nowhere to be seen. I called for her and heard some clucking from the wooded area of our garden. I found her dead, her neck had been bitten. The strange thing was- she must have been dead for hours as she was stiff. Where did the clucking come from that led me to her?! Strange! Anyway, she wasn't eaten and had no bit marks on her body so I think it was the neighbours terrier who we've seen in the garden before, tormenting the chickens when they were in the run. If I see it again I'll probably whack it 'round the head with a spade! Now that we only have two hens, in an eglu that accomadates four, I feel that we should adopt two more ex-batts. However, I've heard that it's likey the current hens will attack them. Is there some way of introducing two new hens without them being killed by the current ones and without buying another eglu? Thanks, Dom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Hi Dom Sorry to hear about your loss My experience has been that chickens often suffer seizures at death, which may make them seem stiff - so it could have been Hettie that you heard. Wouldn't like to put money on it, though.... Introducing new hens is frequently not easy - but it can be done. However ex-batts need extra time to regain their strength, so maybe they are not the best choice if you don't have the space/money for extra accommodation. Maybe you could get a couple of regular hybrids? Ex-batts are in huge demand at the moment, following Hugh and Jamie's TV programmes, so it's not like they are lacking homes to go to! Good luck, whatever you decide! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 So sorry to hear about Hetti Dom I would definitely get some more pals for your remaining hens but I would probably tackle the neighbouring dog issue before hand otherwise it will happen again. we found introductions not that bad, it took us about a week. Some people just let their hens get on with it, but we preferred to keep our hens seperate (when confined in the run) and only let them free range together so any pecking is out in the open and pecked hens have a chance to run away. I agree though hybrids might be better unless you have the time to devote to ex batts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layla Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Sorry Dom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Gosh, that's awful! I'm sorry to hear you lost one of your girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Sorry to hear the news Dom. I'd have a word with your neighbour about finding a way of keeping his dog out of your garden. Ex-batts can need quite a bit of care and attention, and often have infestations of redmite, so it is not a good idea to put them straight in with other hens......best to have a period of quarrantine and let them recover and get used to life out of the cage. Why not get a couple of hybrids? There is heaps of info on the forum about introductions. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Sorry to hear about poor Hettie. Hope you make a decision on whats best for you and the other girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Hi Dom. Sorry to hear about Hettie. I introduced a hybrid to my 3 and there was a week of nastyness. I had to keep her in the children's wendy house in the day separate from the other 3. Not sure if ex-batt would stand up to that easily unless you've got somewhere else you can put them until they are stronger. All the best with whatever decision you make. http://www.dbarc.org.uk/ Not sure if there are still ex bats available at the Diana Brimblecombe Centre, Hurst, Nr Wokingham, as their website just says "arriving 11 March". Link above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 sorry to hear you have lost one of your girls, it may have been a fox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daj198 Posted March 29, 2008 Author Share Posted March 29, 2008 Thanks guys! I phoned the Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre and they might have some ex-bats left from the rescues on the 11th. (they have a waiting list! - well done Hugh and Jamie! ) I'm hoping that they'd be strong enough to cope with the other two as they've been freeranging for a few weeks now. I've found that the wire fence that has a thick hedge infront does not come all the way to the ground. Probably enough room for a terrier to get through. I'm going to pile rocks and earth over the gap to stop the thing digging through. I suppose it could be useful having a dog out in the neighbours garden during the day (if I can keep it out), foxes are less likely to visit. Thanks for all your help - Penny and Agnes are not at all happy to be stuck in their run at the moment. It's with a converter though! Spoilt chickens! Dom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Hi Dom The DBARC do often seem to hang on to some the ex-bats until they are strong and happily wandering around so that is worth considering. When I saw their chickens I wasn't sure if they were ex-bats or not as they looked very healthy If you haven't gone along to visit the centre I would suggest you pop along and talk to them about introductions and whether it would be possible to get 2 that are a bit stronger. Just a warning I would expect them to want to know you've sorted fencing so the dog can't get in again ! (I haven't got ex-bats from them as I 'adopted' three from another omletter that needed a home.) Patricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Terriers are bred to be feisty hunters and not to back down so this may keep happening.Think about attaching either timber gravel boards or tough welded mesh to the bottom of the fence using zip ties and dig it underground too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...