pasq Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Thought i'd do my good deed for the day on Friday and got a battery hen! I have 2 other hens -Ginger nut ranger & Pepper pot. Pepper is top of pecking order followed by ginger. It's horrible seeing them flapping their wings and pecking my poor battery hen! She daren't come out of the eglu in morning -I have to let her out or else if she dares have any food they go for her Quite vicious -chasing her around garden. Doesn't help as she's a bit smaller too? As i'm at work all day -they both tend to free range in a 10ftx10ft area outside eglu. But i was a bit upset this morning -so i left my new battery hen in eglu -is this ok for a while till they get used to her?? Or should i just leave them all to it?? I've left couple bowls food & water out for ginger & pepper outside today... ps: They have also all stopped laying now!! Stress?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 It isn't easy to introduce one hen to an established pair or flock ,pasq. It is advisable also to give the ex-batts a period of quarantine before putting them in with the others, to allow them to build up their strength, as theiir muscles can be very weak, and to make sure that they are not going to bring illness or parasites to the existing flock. Article on managing intros **here**. Maybe if you borrow a hutch or similar for her, and take the intro slowly it will go more smoothly. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Firstly it is unusual to just get one battery hen as the Battery Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) always rehome in pairs or more - i presume you didnt get the hen from BHWT? Secondly and due to the condition of battery hens they need be kept completely seperate from other hens for a few weeks as they need time to adapt to a free range life, recover from their experience and generally get back on their feet. This can take more than a month depending on their condition. Do you have any other alternative housing? If not, i think its best to find/make some ASAP. Your girls will have stopped laying due to the stress and the bullying will continue unless you separate your girls out. 2 healthy hens V's 1 battery hen - there is no contest really - the poor battery girl will get it every time. Introductions of new hens needs to be done slowly to ensure all of them can be protected and cared for in an appropriate way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pasq Posted August 11, 2008 Author Share Posted August 11, 2008 Sorry -i didn't make my query clear earlier.....I got the battery hen from a local animal sanctuary on Friday. She's in fairly good condition, new feathers etc -as she had been rescued early July, so i haven't had her 1st hand. She was free ranging with a few other when i got her Friday..... I only wanted one more. They had a load of other hens which they said were'nt ready for re-homing. Does this change the situation? Do you think it's just a matter of time before she's accepted? She's such a cutie! Very friendly girl. Pasq Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NClaire Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 I think you're going to have a hard job introducing 1 chicken to a pair tbh. Is there any way you can get another from the same batch? If you have a look at egluntine's article, there is some good advice about dividing up runs, and this is what I have done in one of our runs - it does take a lot of time to get them to accept each other! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pasq Posted August 11, 2008 Author Share Posted August 11, 2008 Oh dear -what have i done!! Thought there would be bit of initial pecking.... Let's hope things settle down soon. I have today left the ex battery hen in eglu -whilst the others are free ranging..... The sanctuary only had a few hens left... i really didn't want 4 in total, but i know what you mean..... Maybe i should not have introduced another hen after all..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Don't feel bad - you were trying to do a good thing . From what I've read on here though, introductions (especially of a lone hen) can be extremely tricky so perhaps you could have a read through some of the threads about introductions to help you decide what to do . Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pasq Posted August 11, 2008 Author Share Posted August 11, 2008 Thanks for your advice! These things are never easy... i was thinking of adopting one for quite some time. I can now see why i left it so long!! May try the separation thing 1st -keeping one in eglu whilst thje others free range -as i don't really have any other housing options... see how that goes for a few days.... They do sleep together though -no bed time squabbles!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 probably a minority view - but I have now done many introductions and have found that the more separating you do the longer it takes. there is a normal process of flock formation that looks nasty - but nothing more nasty than she would have experienced and survived in the cage. her muscles are not going to be "that" weak that she cannot escape if she is free-ranging. it might be distressing to watch - but it will settle down. the only time I would consider separating for any length of time more than the initial day or two is if there was serious bullying - which is different to pecking-order squabbles. it might be several days that they won't let her near food - or even a couple of weeks - and she will have to eat when they have finished. make sure there are more than one feeding station and avoid flashpoints like chucking treats for them for a while.... in MOST cases it will settle down on its own - and the flock will form quicker if you leave them to it - they are better at this than we are - keep an eye out for serious bullying - which will involve blood and feathers pulled (not just the odd one - which is normal) the more space they have - the easier it is - so free-ranging gives the best results - penned in an omlet run - it can take longer. an ex-batt in reasonable condition - like yours is quite capable of finding its place in the flock - and in MOST cases will eventually do this. introducing one ex-batt to two established pampereds is perhaps the most difficult of introductions - but they will eventually establish a flock - and it is most likely that in a couple of months you will see them happily pecking about as a three. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pasq Posted August 11, 2008 Author Share Posted August 11, 2008 Thanks for your reply Phil. Let's hope this gets easier!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 I would take my time on this and 2 onto one is the problem. She may well be fairly fit now but she is a single target. A hen being introduced alone can be targeted without mercy, honestly I learnt the hard way years ago as an inexperienced keeper. It's worth taking the time but with one hen it doesn't really improve the odds. If you have the room another little hybrid at nearly POL may be a place to start and get the ex batt and the new girl established then do an intro. BHWT would never rehome 1 hen and our guidelines are to keep separated for at least 4 weeks Buffie x [/i] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 I echo what Buffie and all the others who urge caution have said as we introduced one to two and it was awful. Take your time, keep them apart but within sight of each other and introduce her when you feel she's ready. You can always separate them again if things go badly but hopefully after a week or so of them living side by side, she'll be accepted more easily than if you were to just bung her in and let her fend for herself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 I introduced one hen to a flock of eleven when I "adopted" Piper, previously "Speckle", Beauty_Box's hen. I took it very slowly indeed, actively encouraged the sharing of treats, with me hovvering and things went smoothly. I kept her in separate accommodation for a while, but after a few days let them free range together. Apart from a couple of minimal skirmishes with the evil Atilla the Hen, she merged into the flock seamlessly and is now part of the gang. I've done quite a few intros and this is definitely my preferred method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 I'd caution caution (if you get my drift) too. Just last week, I heard on two separate occasions of hens (ex-batts) just being bunged in and left to get on with it. It resulted in two near-deaths for those poor chooks. Can I urge anyone thinking of introducing ANY new hens to exercise our friend Prudence and take it slowly, plan ahead and make sure that you have extra housing for the newbies. I have made countless introductions of new stock to my existing flock over the years; always done over a couple of weeks, and with housing/sanctuary for the newbies until I can be sure that they are disease free and not likely to be attacked. Last year, I had to rush over to an aquaintances house - they'd just tried to introduce ex-batts to their older girls, not heeded any advice... I lugged over my chicken medicine cabinet and had to dress several nasty wounds. Not something I'd ever want to repeat. Poor wee things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Whilst I understand that your heart is in the right place, your current predicament is I am afraid down to research, or in your case the lack of it. Being a member of this forum, I am amazed that you have not read some of the many excellent posts devoted to introducing new hens to the existing flock. There are loads of posts describing how members have introduced new chooks to their girls with great success. Also had you just asked on here first about what you had planned to do, then you would have received a wealth of advice against it. Ex batts need very special care and attention to bring them back up to full strengh, so to introduce one to two chooks in an eglu without keeping them seperate for at least a couple of weeks is a recipe for disaster. I know that you will think that I am having a right go at you, but that is not what this forum is about. I hope that if there is anyone reading this and they are also thinking of doing something similar, then they will get the message loud and clear. DON'T (climbs off soapbox) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMO Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 What is the name of the animal sanctuary?? They need to be made aware not to rehome single hens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Whilst I understand that your heart is in the right place, your current predicament is I am afraid down to research, or in your case the lack of it. I think that's a bit un-necessarily harsh. Ex batts need very special care and attention to bring them back up to full strengh, so to introduce one to two chooks in an eglu without keeping them seperate for at least a couple of weeks is a recipe for disaster. I have had several ex-batts over the years (and I have three now) - I don't think it is true that they need very special care and attention to bring them up to full strength - unless you take on a very extreme case or an injured one. I volunteer with one of the biggest BHWT rescue teams - and the vast majority of ex-batts we handle really do not need any particular special care than any other chicken you might come across - those that might do are not given to inexperienced owners. all of my ex-batts have been introduced without weeks of separation without any disaster at all... Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 I guess that we can just agree to disagree here then Revnev. I have always given adoptees Jane Howarth's (the founder of BHWT) advice on introducing ex-batts. I just hope that people will read this thread, see what happens when you don't take heed/do research and introduce their new birds slowly and with less stress. The sensible option is there for all to see and the results of other methods quite plain too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 I just want to make it clear that ex batts require some special treatment at the beginning of their free range retirement. They aren't generally ill, or they stay with the coordinator but they are unfit. Standing for 1 year in a cage makes them unfit. So the intro period of isolation is about getting them used to their new life and all the new stimulus. A new hen house is a major experience for a ex batt, they simply haven't experienced anything but a cage. Their bones are more fragile and need time to thicken and strengthen but it's fairly straight forward if you follow BHWT rehoming instructions. This thread is not actually about their fitness but about an introduction. One into 2 is not something we'd do or recommend others to do. I do hope some of these posts are helpful and that a solution is found. Buffie x . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Best of luck whatever you decide, pasq. It must be very upsetting to see them squabbling when you have given an ex-batt a good home. I would still urge the cautious approach, and even with that you can have them playing nicely within two or three weeks rather than months. Revnev does acknowledge that his view is probably a minority one. In the end it is up to you, they are your girls. All we can do is offer advice based on experience and wish you well. Let us know how things go won't you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Phil We helped at the same rescues.....were we really looking after the same hens . The advice was always to seperate new ex batts to an existing flock for a while. I'm sure that there are lots of variables, and maybe on rare occasions the chuck 'em in and let them get on with it method might work , it's not one that I, or Jean, or the rest of the team would ever suggest. Surely . Introducing new hens can be tricky, and introductions need to be done gradually and with close observation, otherwise new hens can get very badly bullied. Sorry, I really hate to disagree with you, and I accept that your experiences have been good, but I think that if you're drawing on your experiences of working at rescues with the BHWT to give your comments credibility surely you need to acknowledge established BHWT advice . If your personal experience has been that your rapid introductions have been successful then those are valid comments as well, and worth adding to the debate. Personally though I've heard/read too many tales of badly injured hens to ever want to recommend that method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jills Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Lots of advice about how it can all go wrong, and I'm sure it can, but I have also just introduced one new hen to an established two and it's not been too bad. I also have a pepperpot and a gingernut from omlet. My pepperpot is almost permanently broody so I wanted another so that Thurza, my gingernut, is not on her own all the time. I got a young hybrid from a local breeder, wormed and fit and healthy. For the first day I kept them separate but within sight, but let them sleep together in the eglu. Now they are freeranging together. Hetty does get some pecks but she's not been hurt and has learnt to keep her distance. Most of the pecks are around food so I don't give them treats together. They really seem to be settling down and I'm sure it's just a matter of time. Good luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FruitandNutCake Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 I'm having trouble getting four ex-batts to get on with my three original hens! The two biggest ones are free ranging quite happily now after nearly 4 weeks, but I'm still having to keep the two smallest, baldest and very nervous two separate as they just sit and take the onslaught. They are slowly getting braver - but they obviously do need extra special care - just watching them you can see that they will get seriously hurt if left to it. I put the most aggresive ex-batt to bed with my 3 original hens now - but I'm happy to wait indefinitely before integrating the two little ones, and will make sure I have plenty of bumper bits in preparation before I let them mix together again. I do think if you are taking on any rescued animal or chicken, then you have to allow them plenty of time to adjust to their new environment and "family". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaggieMcHen Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 I introduced a lone hen (I was rehoming a single hen) to my flock of 6 . It took about a week of separate free ranging, but with food sources 'next to' each other, within sight. At night I then put her into the hen house after every one was roosting. In the morning I separated them again before letting them out. After about three days I let them free range together (supervised) for a while with LOTS of treats etc. By the end of a week she was in with them all the time and apart from the odd spat they were fine. Now you wouldn't know she hadn't been with them all her life. Don't give up it is possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pasq Posted August 12, 2008 Author Share Posted August 12, 2008 Thank you very much for all of your advice -I've taken it all on board. I now know i shouldn't have taken on a lone chicken without research or consulted this forum! But anyway it's done now..... I've decided to separate her for week or 2 -keeping her in eglu by day, where they can see her, but letting them sleep together. I let them free range yesterday evening with my close supervision, and they seemed ok....In fact they got a bit closer without the chasing around! I need to take this slowly in order to succeed! Pasq Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
