FruitandNutCake Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 I've spent most of today just sitting watching them! They are all a lot more mobile and starting to scratch around (I'm sprinkling mixed corn around). They are managing the ramp better, and even the shy Amelia is coming out more. I've put a bowl of crushed egg in the run, as there were a couple of soft eggs, and they went straight for the crushed shell. Annabelle has the most feathers, and I can see why - she is the most feisty and has had a few pops at poor Amelia when she was cornered. Amelia is obviously the weakest and has the least feathers. But Annabelle is starting to calm down a bit now after we had words! Even their combs are starting to redden up a bit (again Amelia's is the largest, palest and floppiest) but I noticed that all their faces are so pale compared to my 3 healthy girls. I guess the combs are bigger if they are kept in hot conditions. So I hope Amelia isn't too cold at the moment - I know you can get wooly jumpers for them in the winter, but has anyone thought of a simple T-shirt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 You'll be amazed at how quickly your ex-batts come on - ours are brilliant! On the subject of giving them eggshells - somebody on here (great resource that it is) suggested not to do this, as they may develop a taste for egg shells and start eating their own (or others). Don't know if this is the case or no, but it seemed pretty sensible. Enjoy your girls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FruitandNutCake Posted July 20, 2008 Author Share Posted July 20, 2008 Oh! Does that just apply to Ex batts? My other 3 have been on ground egg shell for 3 months, and they are happily producing healthy solid eggs on a daily basis. I'm not too worried about getting eggs from the ex batts - I don't need anymore eggs, but any I do get will be sold with profits going back to the BHWT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Don't know? I don't even know if it's actually a problem - It's just that somebody mentioned it on here before and reading your post reminded me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FruitandNutCake Posted July 20, 2008 Author Share Posted July 20, 2008 I'll see how they go - I know many people have recommended ground egg shell as a source of calcium instead of, or in addition to oyster shell. I'm not surprised that they are not laying at the moment - they have gone through so much change in the last couple of days. They seem to be getting along together better now. I just wish I had another shed and run - I would have taken home more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FruitandNutCake Posted July 20, 2008 Author Share Posted July 20, 2008 Oh dear! Annabella is being really stroppy again! She was jumping on the backs of Amelia and Maisy and pinning them down by their necks. She's also been giving it the "I am" with my other 3 girlies through the fence!! I can see I'm in for a rough ride with her! I've tucked up Amelia, Maisy and Sinead in bed in the coop, and left Annabella in the run to cool off for a bit. I'm hoping she'll calm down as it gets darker, and I can put her in the coop with the other 3 - or should I leave her in the run overnight? (it is inside the bigger run, covered and protected and as she has the most feathers, she shouldn't be cold) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Had my 6 ex-batts 2 months now and, nasty though it sounds, you just have to let them get on with sorting out their pecking order initially. Mine seemed to spend the first couple of days in shock at the big wide world and getting to know their new home and human, and then it seemed like all-out war for a week or so as they sorted out their positions. It didn't last long and there's now not a lot of bullying, just the occasional squabble if somebody snatches somebody else's lettuce leaf . I smash up the eggshells with a rolling pin and sprinkle the crumbs back onto their food. I think I remember reading that it's a good thing to give them shell as long as you grind it up so they don't recognise it and start eating their eggs. If I'm wrong in this, I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be along soon to say so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Regarding the egg shells - I was advised to wash and then bake them in the oven for about 15 minutes before crushing, as this takes the 'egg shell' taste away. I use it in their treat bowl all the time and everything is fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FruitandNutCake Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 Yes, I wash and bake my egg shells before crushing them - I haven't had any problems with my other hens eating it. I noticed another soft egg this morning from the ex batts - but hopefully it'll sort itself out. As for Annabella, she quietened down last night after a few minutes on her own, so I put her to bed with the others. I know it is only natural for them to have a pecking order - it's just difficult to watch when the other 3 are so small, and featherless. I never had any squabbling with my other 3 non-ex-batts - they got on together straight away and lived in harmony ever since. I'm aware that the ex-batts would have come from different cages and not know each other and it will take time for them to get used to each other. But I'm so glad I've got them, and look forward to see them roaming around the garden enjoing grass under their feet and fresh air on their skins (until their feathers grow back!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
