Chicken bald back

[emily-Jane]

ello! I've been reading this forum, well bits and pieces of it, on and off for a few months now.

 

Me and my boyfriend would love to adopt 2 ex battery hens for pets. We have no other pets and we both love the idea (6 year old Thomas has already chosen the name Jenny, I picked Elsie - even though we haven't got anything sorted!)

 

My boyfriend saw an article in a localish newspaper about a campaign called CORN (Chickens Out Rescue Network) based in Trowbridge in Wiltshire. I have emailed the guy twice, but have had no response at all (this has been going on for about 2 months now). They have a website but it is very bare and has no info on it. I thought we could use this service but it seems like nothing is happening! The idea of taking the chickens to their new home for you is ideal for us as we both don't drive!

 

(www.corn.wsnw.net)

 

You can find the article online here....http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/search/display.var.2027245.0.new_group_aims_to_save_chickens.php

 

nevermind! I've been looking at Battery Hens Welfare Trust (BHWT) website based in Devon, very nice and useful website. I've also contacted them a few times

 

anyway, as you all seem to a friendly, helpful bunch I thought you may like to help me please. I've been reading up on stuff, so I know abit about feed, coops, nesting boxes etc...

 

what kind of breed are ex battery hens? I presume they are vaccinated against Newcastle and Mareks disease etc etc?

 

I was wondering when they wake up and go to bed? I presume they wake when the sun rises and rest when its dusk?! I guess they are awake more in the Summer than in the Winter!? It won't be a problem either way as we are pretty flexible.

 

Our back garden has grass aswell as a gravel bit and pavement. Is it ok for them to wonder onto the gravel? I guess they won't try and eat it!

 

Lastly, the Omlet Eglu house on this site, are they big enough for 2 ex batts?! As I have a brochure at home and I'm unsure as the chcikens in the photos are alot smaller and a different breed! and

 

Can you place an Eglu and run on the pavement slabs? I guess you have to put down some shavings?

 

A know its long post! Cheers in advance

[Egluntyne]

 

what kind of breed are ex battery hens? I presume they are vaccinated against Newcastle and Mareks disease etc etc?

 

They are usually Warrens or ISA Browns. They are generally vaccinated..

 

I was wondering when they wake up and go to bed? I presume they wake when the sun rises and rest when its dusk?! I guess they are awake more in the Summer than in the Winter!? It won't be a problem either way as we are pretty flexible.

You are right!

 

Our back garden has grass aswell as a gravel bit and pavement. Is it ok for them to wonder onto the gravel? I guess they won't try and eat it!

 

Yes it is OK.

 

Lastly, the Omlet Eglu house on this site, are they big enough for 2 ex batts?! As I have a brochure at home and I'm unsure as the chcikens in the photos are alot smaller and a different breed! and

 

I have 3 ex-batts in an Eglu at the mo. They are ecstatically happy.

 

Can you place an Eglu and run on the pavement slabs? I guess you have to put down some shavings?

 

Yes...mine are all on slabs. I put down Aubiose in preference to shavings and have a plastic cover over the top.

 

A know its long post! Cheers in advance

 

Welcome to the forum.

[cluckbok]

ello! I've been reading this forum, well bits and pieces of it, on and off for a few months now.

 

Me and my boyfriend would love to adopt 2 ex battery hens for pets. We have no other pets and we both love the idea (6 year old Thomas has already chosen the name Jenny, I picked Elsie - even though we haven't got anything sorted!)

 

My boyfriend saw an article in a localish newspaper about a campaign called CORN (Chickens Out Rescue Network) based in Trowbridge in Wiltshire. I have emailed the guy twice, but have had no response at all (this has been going on for about 2 months now). They have a website but it is very bare and has no info on it. I thought we could use this service but it seems like nothing is happening! The idea of taking the chickens to their new home for you is ideal for us as we both don't drive!

 

(www.corn.wsnw.net)

 

You can find the article online here....http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/search/display.var.2027245.0.new_group_aims_to_save_chickens.php

 

nevermind! I've been looking at Battery Hens Welfare Trust (BHWT) website based in Devon, very nice and useful website. I've also contacted them a few times

 

anyway, as you all seem to a friendly, helpful bunch I thought you may like to help me please. I've been reading up on stuff, so I know abit about feed, coops, nesting boxes etc...

 

what kind of breed are ex battery hens? I presume they are vaccinated against Newcastle and Mareks disease etc etc?

 

I was wondering when they wake up and go to bed? I presume they wake when the sun rises and rest when its dusk?! I guess they are awake more in the Summer than in the Winter!? It won't be a problem either way as we are pretty flexible.

 

Our back garden has grass aswell as a gravel bit and pavement. Is it ok for them to wonder onto the gravel? I guess they won't try and eat it!

 

Lastly, the Omlet Eglu house on this site, are they big enough for 2 ex batts?! As I have a brochure at home and I'm unsure as the chcikens in the photos are alot smaller and a different breed! and

 

Can you place an Eglu and run on the pavement slabs? I guess you have to put down some shavings?

 

A know its long post! Cheers in advance

 

Hi ya,

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

The eglu is big enough for 4 hens of ex-batt size but if you are gonna have 4 you would need the extended run, therefore I think 3 is a better number. The eglu comes with a standard suitable run for the 3. I not sure but I think ex-batts are similar to the Calder Ranger breed, which are very friendly and inquistive little characters. You can place the eglu and run on paving and you can put down Aubiouse or Hemcore on top of the slabs for them to scratch around in. It doesn't matter if they eat the gravel, they are meant to eat grit so that they can grind their food down in their crops.

 

They normally take themselves off to bed at dusk each night. They should be as active in the winter as the summer, but obviously as it gets darker they will go to bed earlier. I not sure if the ex-batts are vaccinated, I don't really know alot about the vaccinations. It is advisable to worm them though as most of the forum members do, as they can get nasty worm problems.

 

I sure another more experienced omleteer will be along in a moment to answer.

 

But you go for it you will enjoy them, they bring the garden to life! You can see ours live on our webcam, you may not see them much at the moment as they free ranging.

[Hen Watch]

Hi Emily-Jane,

 

This post by Buffie might interest you about ex-batts from BHWT

If you buy a NEW eglu and get BHWT ex-batts, Omlet will donate money to the BHWT.

 

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14654

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome to the forum Emily-Jane . Sounds like you're pretty clued up already - I say go ahead, you won't regret it .

[Christian]

Hello Emily-Jne and welcome to the forum

 

I would definitely recommend 3 to start with, that way if anything happens to one, you won't have a lonely chicken.

[poachedegg]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

 

I think you have to take a minimum of 3 from BHWT, so might be worth checking out.

[One_Box]

Welcome to the forum !

 

I'm getting one ex-batt from BHWT in early May. Minimum numbers don't seem to be a problem in this neck of the woods.

[Tina C]

I think the BHWT generally advises three (sadly, in case you lose one, so you don't have a lonely chicken) - if you already have chickens they sometimes let you take one or two.

[emily-Jane]

thanks for your help guys!

 

I already knew about the Omlet and BHWT thing going on about donating money. I thought it was nice.

 

With regards to the gravel, its not like little tiny stones/grit..its some form of stones (its a newbuild house, about 6/7 years old..the usual that gets put down!). I guess they are about 2/3 cm big. That gonna be a problem? or I guess if any food goes on the gravel, they will just peck for it!

 

A few people have suggested getting 3 hens for reasons explained, will it be ok just to get 2? We don't have a massive garden but I believe it is big enough for a few hens! (I'll think I'll measure it asap and get back to you!)

 

with regards to dust baths - do they just make one wherever they feel like it? or would we have to encourage the hens as they are ex batts and might not know!? Why do they need dust baths anyway?

 

Thanks again.

[Egluntyne]

re gravel...should be OK.

 

re Dustbath...they seem to know instinctively to do it.....it helps get rid of parasites. I no longer try to male dustbaths for them....they spurn them in favour of a crater they have made themselves.

 

re 2 hens v 3....I would go for the three personally. You won't be left with a lonely hen if anything happens to one of them, and they will fit quite comfortably in an Eglu with a standard run. My three ex-batts are very happy in theirs. They do get to free range for a while most days. Compared to what they have been used to it must seem palatial.

[BERTIE MCSQUIRTY]

definitly 3 chooks you should go for!!!

 

you'll only regret not getting 3 or more in less than a week of having them

[emily-Jane]

thanks again

 

now to think of a 3rd name.....Henrietta was banted about right at the start of when we had the idea of having chickens (gotta be done hasn't it?!)

 

with regards to worming an ex batt, are there "signs" as it were, that a chicken has worms?! (NB I've never owned a dog or cat so I have no idea if its similar or not!). Is it tablets or injection? do they just have it the once?

 

or do you just go to the local vet once we have got the chickens and they have settled in?

 

thanks again. I have keep coming up with further questions! Nowhere have I read about suggestins/advice on worming chickens

[Egluntyne]

Why not try **Flubenvet** You can get it online or from your vet. It will probably be cheaper online.

[emily-Jane]

thankyou! Egluntine

 

how often do you give them the medicine once a treatment has finished? once/twice as year?

 

sorry to ask again, but as a child I had no pets growing up

[cluckbok]

Hi Emily,

 

You could also try Verm-x for worming which is a preventer for worms, whereas I think Flubenvet gets rid of worms as well as preventing. We used the Verm-x only because we happened to come across it when we were out one day. We gave it over a few days (as per instructions on tub) in their porridge and they gobbled it up.

 

It has to be done once every 4-5 weeks. Have a read up and see what you think.

[emily-Jane]

ahhhh

Thank you!

 

when you said once every4/5 weeks..is that the preventer product of verm-x or does it also cover using Flubenvet aswell (obviously not using both products at the same time!)

 

basically worm them once a month. Is that an expensive thing? or do you just buy a big tub?

 

Can I ask you Cluckbok, where you get your worming medicine from please?

[cluckbok]

ahhhh

Thank you!

 

when you said once every4/5 weeks..is that the preventer product of verm-x or does it also cover using Flubenvet aswell (obviously not using both products at the same time!)

 

basically worm them once a month. Is that an expensive thing? or do you just buy a big tub?

 

Can I ask you Cluckbok, where you get your worming medicine from please?

 

Hi ya Emily,

 

We just give Verm-X every 4-5 weeks, we don't use Flubenvet, just haven't needed to at the mo, hopefully shouldn't need to. I'm not sure whether or not you can use them in conjuction with each other, you probably wouldn't need to, it's got to be one or the other surely, (someone else may know on here). We got ours from a shop called CWG Country Stores, don't know if there is one near you. It cost around £22.00 for a tub which should last a couple of years! judging by the amount you have to give. It is something like 1 spoon measure per hen in their feed and the measure is like one of those little medicine spoons, so does last ages. We just give it in their porridge and then we know they've had it all.

[emily-Jane]

thank you!

 

quick question (yet again!) what is auboise? and what's it used for?

cheers

[cluckbok]

Hi ya Emily,

 

Aubiose is like fine wood chips that you lay down in their run for them. You can put it in the nesting box aswell, it's very absorbent. It's also used for horses. You can also get Hemcore aswell which is similar.

[emily-Jane]

cheers

 

you lot are really helpful! always a pleasure, never a chore!

 

How come everyone is so clued up? based on experience I guess

[HENthusiastic]

Hi and welcome. I think everybody is so clued up because the Omlet forum is soo addictive!!! My partner says I'm a chicken anorack!!! Our chooks frequently have free range access over our whole garden, which includes gravel which sounds like yours. They don't mind it at all. Its not a problem. I quite like it actually because the sound of their little feet crunching around is really sweet. They do scratch it up though and clear big spaces so they can get to the earth! I then have to go around filling in again!

I got three chooks and am waiting for some from BHWT in about 5 weeks. They told me that the minimum you could have is three. ps I've got a 'Henrietta'.

[emily-Jane]

ok..I've been redaing bits of pieces of the forum and have a few more questions (sorry, i would look it up or use the search function on this forum but I have limited access and time on the net!)

 

 

what is poultry spice used for? what is it?

 

same question but for garlic powder?! do they eat it or is it scattered about the coop?

 

I've noticed people mentioning apple cider vinegar for use in their water? why? and where can you get it from?

 

what would you reccommend to put as bedding in their coop? is just newspapers ok? or would you reccommend auboise/hemcore?

 

with regards to cleaning out the eglu? is warm soapy water ok if its washed down throughly or some other product? what is Stalosan?

 

And finally, our eglu/run will be mainly place on the lawn and just moved about whenever, what do I put down on the grass (if anything!)? I presumme some grit

 

cheers

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Hope I've answered all your questions:

what is poultry spice used for? what is it?

Quote from Omlet "Chicken spice is a mineral supplement to keep your chickens in tiptop condition. You might give this to your chicken if it is moulting or to help it maintain a good appetite in winter. You give 1/4 teaspoon of per 2 chickens. Chicken spice also goes by the name of poultry spice."

 

same question but for garlic powder?! do they eat it or is it scattered about the coop?

This reduces drastically the smell of their poos. Add it to their pellets.

 

I've noticed people mentioning apple cider vinegar for use in their water? why? and where can you get it from?

This keeps their gut acidic and helps prevent worms. You can get it from horsey shops (you need unrefined stuff, not the supermarket kind).

 

what would you reccommend to put as bedding in their coop? is just newspapers ok? or would you reccommend auboise/hemcore?

I use sheets of newspaper with some shredded paper in the poo tray and shredded paper in the nestbox. Hemcore in the run.

 

with regards to cleaning out the eglu? is warm soapy water ok if its washed down throughly or some other product? what is Stalosan?

I use Ecover washing up liquid.

Quote from Stalosan website "Stalosan F is a safe, non-toxic powder, applied to animal housing, to help prevent infection and help improve the environment around animals in order to optimize health, growth and feed utilization. Stalosan F is economical and easy to use; animals do not have to be removed during application."

 

And finally, our eglu/run will be mainly place on the lawn and just moved about whenever, what do I put down on the grass (if anything!)? I presumme some grit

You need to give your hens mixed poultry grit "on tap" all the time, either in their food or in a separate feeder. I wouldn't put anything down on the grass. They'll ruin it anyway so you may find a permanent site is easier in the long run.

[HENthusiastic]

Blimey! Cant add anything to that! Very impressive!