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

[TPFringe]

Oh no! After several months of contemplation we (hubby and I) decided that yes indeed we would be able to give some ex-batts the care and attention that they need. So, I ordered the Eglu last week and contacted the BHWT - they've now come back to me to say that they have an exremely long waiting list - nooooooooooo!!! I'm absolutely busting a gut - as of next week we are going to have a sad looking empty Eglu in the garden and possibly no hens for months - wot am I gonna do? It's wonderful that so many people want to adopt ex-batts but it's not doing my patients any good at all. As much as the BHWT are doing a fantastic job, and I really wanted to adopt from them, I'm not sure I can bear the wait - so, does anyone else know of another rescue place that I could contact please? I need some little chooks soon or I'm gonna burst!

[mrsm_jones]

Aaargh! So so sorry you have to wait! Once you've made the decision you just want them don't you! It's a decision I couldn't call! I couldn't wait, but admire your decision to rehome ex-batts! Maybe you could get 2 hens, and then once you've had a bit of hen-keeping experience, adopt ex-batts??

[TPFringe]

yeah - i just want them now! The waiting is killing me! Like you said - once the decision is made, you just want them. I'd battle with my conscience too much if I was too impatient to wait for ex-batts. That was 50% of our decision to have hens in the first place. I guess I'll just have to calm down for a bit and try to be patient. I've trawled the internet this evening for other rescue places and found a couple so I've emailed them too so you never know - fringers crossed.

[Stevie]

Think of it this way.Even if you dont get ex batts-you'll be helping their cause just by keeping your own hens.Its refreshing to know that there is such a long waiting list.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

How disappointing and frustrating . I hope you have some luck with these other leads. Let us know how you get on!

[TPFringe]

Thank you - sympathy much appreciated. Hopefully one of the other places will come through for us. Will keep you informed - wont be able to help myself cos I'll be shouting it from the rooftops! Ho hum ...

[Electricbarbarella]

wow I think it is fantastic that there is a waiting list. I decided against ex batts until I know what i am doing as I have no experience and 2 very small people who can be a bit full on. You should be very proud of yourself.

[Egluntyne]

Electricbarbarella's point is a good one.

 

Sometimes ex-batts can be in a challenging state of health, and not ideally suited to the novice hen keeper.

 

Not always, I hasten to add, but it is a point worth bearing in mind.

[hilda-and-evadne]

I need some little chooks soon or I'm gonna burst!

 

How about buying an incubator thingy (they look so dinky that I want one but mustn't) - they turn the eggs an'evrything - and incubate a couple of araucana or other fancy fowl eggs. That's what I would love to do but ....

[buffie]

I have to say the lists are moving pretty quickly it's worth the wait, really

 

Oh and there's some battery hens in their cage right now that will be so happy to be offered a loving family home as pets.

 

Buffie x

[Rhapsody]

I had to wait nearly 3 months but had chooks already. I think you need to fill up that Eglu then get another for your ex-batts..

[MedusA]

I had to wait nearly 3 months but had chooks already. I think you need to fill up that Eglu then get another for your ex-batts..

 

I tend to agree with Rhapsody. I would advise getting 2 or 3 easy-peasy 100% healthy hens to learn the ropes on, then go for some ex-batts later. The demand for ex-batts is high now, but when the media-frenzy has waned, there may be an even greater need for experienced hen-keepers to take some ex-batts.

[dancing cloud]

The knowledge that I could home ex-batts was what finally swung me to try this chicken-keeping lark , and they really are very worthwhile. Seven weeks in and I've bored everyone to death with the fun I've had, watching them discover the world and grow into 6 loveable cheeky little individuals.

 

I went straight from nothing and no experience of hens at all to my 6 ex-batts, and benefitted no end from all the advice on this forum and the fact that I had no expectations (never havng had hens before). But then, I had to wait 2 months for my Cube and only 2 days after it arrived I got the hens.

 

If there is a huge wait for ex-batts in your area, how about you put yourself on the list for them and go for a couple of "normal" hens in the meantime, as the best of both worlds. You don't have to claw the walls looking at your empty eglu , you get to play with two little girls straight away and you'll still get to offer a home to a couple of very lucky ex-batts when your turn comes.

 

BHWT are expecting to rehome their 100,000th hen later this summer!

[TPFringe]

Thank you all for your posts. I have good news! The North London Hen Rescue have reserved 3 girls for us on their next rescue on 26th/27th July. We realise that ex-batts will be harder work due to possible health problems etc but we just have to give them a chance - they are in such need of a good home. I'm sure that with the great advice I'll be able to get from this forum I'll be able to work through any challenges that we come across. We're both really excited at the news. Only 16 days to go!

[dancing cloud]

Great news for you and your lucky ex-batts - they're obviously going to have a lovely home, with all the spoiling they could possibly wish for

 

Look forward to details of names and piccies.

[chickenlass]

Oh thats great news that you will get some after all.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Fantastic news . I'm really pleased for you .

 

I'll be on holiday when they come, so good luck ... I'll be checking in on them when I return .

[Sue_]

Can I just say I am SOOOO pleased you have decided to wait for your ex-batts. I also was new to hen keeping and got my ex-batts back in March from the Haslingden rescue. Thanks to the ever helpful information from this forum I have had no worries with regards to worming, checking for lice, what to put on the ground etc etc. The joy my girlies continue to give me is amazing - and to watch them develop both physically and mentally - well - all I can say is you will realise it was worth the wait! Good luck!!

[Egluntyne]

Good luck.

[TPFringe]

Thank you for all your words of encouragement. I was determined to try to be patient enough to wait for ex-batts, as tempting as it was to fill the Eglu with 'regular' hens. Even though we're novices at chicken keeping we feel that we have the right way of thinking to care for hens that need a bit of extra TLC. Of course, along with all the great advice we'll get from this forum. We used to keep Chameleons and by jove they have extremely specific needs - and we feel that if we can cope with them we can cope with anything!

 

Our next hurdle of course is - what shall we name them? Our other animals have very quirky names and we'll continue in that vein. So, anyone got any good ideas