4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[dancing cloud]

When my colleague recently took delivery of her (wooden) hen house, the delivery guy told her not to consider homing ex-batts, as none of them live longer than 12 months after they are rescued. He wasn't trying to sell her hens, just making conversation, but it's something she mentions every now and then when I'm waffling on about how well my ex-batts are coming along, so I'd like to put paid to the rumour.

 

Anyone out there with ex-batts that have lived longer than 12 months after their rescue? Who has lived the longest?

 

Having had my scoffalots all of 6 weeks, I can't refute the claim yet, but I'm defintely hoping to do so by having all six still alive and demanding grapes next May!

 

I think it's just an evil story put about by fully-feathered hens to make sure all the good homes aren't taken by bald hens and that there are some left for those with feathers too

[stoice]

I hope it's not true! They are such characters, I'd miss my girls if they 'left'

[NClaire]

I haven't had experience of ex-batts, but I have heard that the brown hybrid types (goldlines, warrens, rangers etc) don't live all that long - so maybe that is what he is thinking of, given that they are all about 1 year old when they are rescued.

[Guest]

A day out of the cage is a blessing for them. We've had ours 9 months now and every day it gladdens my heart to see them come tumbling out of their coop in the morning to enjoy another day of freedom.

 

Even if they only lived a week, I'd still give them a home! Fancy trying to disuade someone from getting ex batts, shame on that man!

[Egluntyne]

Some do, some don't.....it is very much the luck of the draw.

 

Touchwood, mine seem hale and hearty, but I've only had them since March.

 

It depends on why you want them, I suppose. I wanted to give them a taste of life outside the slammer, and wasn't particularly bothered if they were fantastic layers or not. In fact, they have been, which is a bonus.

[AMO]

My first lot of ex-bats have been with me ten months and were around 18 months old when I first got them. Both are happy little characters who lay around 6 eggs per week between the two of them.

 

it is the luck of the draw - some can't cope with the shock and pass away very quickly - as long as they have had the chance of sunshine on their backs and freedom I am sure they are happy

[dancing cloud]

Thanks for all the replies so far - 10 months and counting is the longest currently. Anyone got a lucky second-chancer that they've been indulging for over 12 months?

 

The ability to offer homes to ex-batts was what finally persuaded me to try this whole chicken-keeping thing and having watched my lot spend the last six weeks turning into happy, healthy, confident and very cheeky little individuals, it's hard to imagine why they should suddenly head for the great chicken run in the sky any sooner than any other hen .

 

It's not that my colleague is being nasty, it's just that she's concerned that I'm geting so attached to my scoffalots that I'm going to be very upset if they're going to be leaving in a short time. I just want to be able to show her at least one that has lived a long and happy life, and is drawing its pension somewhere

 

Anyone?

[hillfamily]

They are approx 18 months old when they come out of the farms and the life expectancy can vary greatly.

 

I have had rescued 3 ex batts and sadly our Annie died after 6 months but Clarabel has been with us for 19 months and Gerty for 14 months and they are both doing well :D

[buffie]

It's a shame you heard such a negative comment and Jane and other coordintors have had some hens that have lived for 10 years Ours will be 7 months old this month.

 

All 3 fit and well

 

 

Buffie x

[chickenlass]

I have 7 ex batts now in total...5 i only got end of last month and 2 which I have had since 19th May last year

[Nicola O]

I got my three ex bats in April last year - so 15 months now - and they are all fighting fit and doing really well. Two still lay, but Mavis had given up now and is well and truly 'retired'

 

Nicola

[Snowy]

I seem to remember Emma - Theherd123 - getting her ex batts about the same time as I got my chickens - November 2006. So her eldest hens have been out of the cages a good 18 months!

[Tina C]

Yep Emma has had her first rescue girls quite a lot longer than I have - and what about Karen (Sprite etc) as well?

 

We lost Petula 9 days short of one year with us but the other two are still going strong 16 months after 'release'.

 

They are not laying as well as they were but for me that is not what its about.

 

They are a joy to have around and we will definitely rescue some more when there is space in the eglu.

[AJuff]

A local breeder I contacted about hens also was negative about battery hens. He says he had 40 and they all died within three weeks! He had Defra/vets out to check if there was a problem on the farm but they couldn't find any problem.

[Abbey Road Girl]

 

Give it up for the ex-bats!

[Egluntyne]

A local breeder I contacted about hens also was negative about battery hens. He says he had 40 and they all died within three weeks! He had Defra/vets out to check if there was a problem on the farm but they couldn't find any problem.

 

What was a breeder wanting 40 ex-batts for I wonder.

[Gallina]

You have to be realistic: commercial breeders would not be giving their hens away if there were many years of productive life left in them. But there is a good chance of at least another eighteen months for all ex-batts, as the life-span of a hybrid hen is three years.

 

And because battery hens must be very strong to have survived as long as they have in appalling conditions, I would have thought that the chances are that many will live quite a lot longer than average, especially after discovering the good life.

[dancing cloud]

Thank you for all the replies and it's good to hear there are many ex-batts out there still enjoying being spoiled long after their first twelve months of freedom. I'm meeting my colleague for lunch today, so will be able to pass on the good news.

 

Like many of you, I didn't care whether my scoffalots laid many eggs or not, the real incentive was giving them their freedom and watching them enjoy it to the full. In six weeks they have developed into lovely little characters and between six of them they now usually manage 4-5 eggs a day, with several 6-egg days, so they are obviously happy in their new surroundings.

 

The cats didn't seem too thrilled when I told them their new friends weren't going anywhere soon

 

I agree, let's give it up for the ex-batts (and all those who rescue them)

 

[AJuff]

 

What was a breeder wanting 40 ex-batts for I wonder.

 

To sell eggs as a side line.

[Egluntyne]

I see. It could be worse I suppose.