Redwing Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 Ok, i was saving this thread for later but am forced to post it now - read on! I had chickens as a child but only did some of the day to day work so count myself officially as a first time owner. I have heard that ex batts are tricky for novices to look after. I have also heard that three is the ideal number of chickens for a new owner My DH refutes these two statements completely, he wants ex batts and just two at that. He says that I am fibbing to get my own way (me?) He also says that I can fix the answers that you give me! So...... any advice? I am happy to back down if proved wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggypeggy Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 I'm no expert when it comes to ex batts.. so can't comment on that, but I did start with 2 chooks from eglu, and as soon as they started laying wished I had started with 3! We have just enough eggs with 2 chooks for a family of four, one of which doesn't eat eggs unless they're in a cake! sometimes I have to save them up when we have guests staying 'cause they all want fresh eggs. And then once our two chooks passed a year old the egg production dropped off even further so I have just bought two new chooks, introduction is a bit of a lengthy process. So to cut a very long story short, to all potential chook owners Start with 3! You are going to love it by the way.. they're fab. P.S. if you have to many eggs to start with .. you'll easily be able to give them away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 Go for 3! On the negative side some ex batts can have health probelms and in some sad cases they do not survive very long. If you had 2 and this happened you would be left with one very lonely chicekn and the difficult process of introducing another one. My neighbour is getting ex batts in the next couple of weeks - he has kept chickens before and he is getting 3. I wasn't brave enough as a first time owner and have 3 lovely little hybrids who are a pleasure to be around When one is in the eglu laying the other two lkeep each other company in the garden - it is so sweet! Good luck whatever you decide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 Hi Redwing, I am sorry to do this but.............we are first time chicken owners and we have 2 ex batts. I wouldn't say they are tricky to look after in any way. The advice on this forum has been fantastic and I am indebted to lots of folk. We have had our chicks for 3 months and leaving aside accidents ( Penny's broken foot) I would say they are happy, settled and thriving. They do need lots of TLC and they do like attention, but what pets don't The reward in seeing them develop from wee s"Ooops, word censored!"s of hens into real glossy, happy birds is immense. I think the general advice on getting 3 rather than 2 is good. Our two are bonded, peaceful and always near each other but it will be terrible if ones "goes" before the other. We should definately have got 3. Hope this is of some help Allison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 I'd get three. We lost one of our ex-batts the first night we brought her home. If we had just got two then there would have been the extra worry of keeping one girl on her own for a while. We already had some hens so I can't comment on ex-batts for first timers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 The BHWT generally won't let you take fewer than three. Three is a nice little social group, and as is often said on the forum, you won't be left with a lonely hen if the worst happens to one of them. Ex-batts can be a bit of a leap in the dark. Many times they are perfectly healthy but occasionally you can get a sick one, and unless you are experienced with hens, it can be a bit overwhelming. I preferred to wait till I had some experience before getting ex-batts, but having said that, mine have been absolutely fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 I would definitely go for three rather than two. I think it is a matter of confidence as to whether or not ex batts are suitable for a first timer. As long as you know what to expect; have access to good advice and can be confident handling them; then you should be fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 I had never owned chickens before i rescued my first set of 4 ex-battery girls in Nov 06. I was in a similar situation to you in that i was unsure about being a novice and the needs of the ex-battery girls however i took the plunge and have never looked back I would advise you rescue at least 3 and possibly 4. The reason for this is that due to the terribly rough life ex-battery girls have had they dont come with any guarantees in terms of early survival. Im not trying to put you off here but being realistic, sometimes the shock of coming out of the battery cage and the huge changes are just too much for some to take. Therefore if you rescue just 2 and 1 doesnt make it you are then left in a very difficult situation as the 1 thats left will be lonely and distressed and so will you be. Ex-battery girls to need lots of TLC and attention but you are aware of this when you take the decision to introduce them into your lives. If you need anymore help or guidance please just post here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 I agree with what everyone else has said. I was worried about ex-bats as a first time owner, so I went for hybrids. We got 4...my thinking was that when the egg production starts to slow down after a year or so, we should be getting just the right amount of eggs (if you do go for ex-bats bear in mind that the reason they are being discarded from the factory is that their egg production is on the way down). We have a few too many eggs for now, but as everyone else says, there is never a shortage of people wanting some. Also, if any did 'pop off' we would still have a useful flock. The great god Hugh F-W says (blessed be he ), work out how many eggs you eat and so how many chickens you need to supply that need and then get one more. So we did... Why does your OH only want 2? I don't think 3 (or 4) is any more work than 2 TBH. Hopefully, he will read this thread and the many others which have not been initiated by you that say "get 3"!! Good luck with whatever you decide to do... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 Yup, what they all said . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 Thanks for all the advice. I think my DH just said that we could only have two as it seems a big leap for his brain to make to believe that you would ever have more than two of anything when it comes to pets! We got a third cat once - nearly blew his mind I must admit the concern I have with the ex batts is that they will arrive with broken legs/wings or get poorly soon after arriving - it's not the cost of sorting it out that's the problem it's just that seeing something distressed would make me feel so helpless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleredhen Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 We were complete beginners when we took on 4 ex-batts in March but we have had no problems at all. They were a bit scraggy when we got them (and a couple of them still are) but they have had no health problems or any other problems come to that. It is lovely to see them scratching about in the garden and doing "chickeny" things. My hubby was a bit reluctant at the start and thought that 2 would be plenty, 6 months down the line we now have 8 (although not all ex-batts) so just be warned! Your OH should just give in gracefully! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 Ex-batts are lovely and certainly the most rewarding thing I've ever done. I know I was enormously grateful to have kept "ordinary" chickens first before I embarked down the ex-battery route because we had an idea of how a chicken should behave and were therefore more clued up when something was definitely wrong. Having a fully "clued up" hen also helped because the ex-batts basically started copying her - Ping has helped teach all of mine where to dust bath, where to sleep, that grapes and corn are good things, that green vegetables are not at all scary and that fingers and toes can be fun to peck but ultimately are quite tasteless However, that said there is much advice on here and the FAQ sections are great for reference. And ex-batts do "get it" eventually on their own. I find you have to have a bit more patience with ex-batts as everything is new to them. It also depends on the individual hen - some are braver (and more intelligent!) than others, some need time and persuasion that the free range life is great. Some are greatly traumatised and weak from their previous life. For example, one of ours, Brenda, spent about 2 days of every week just sitting quietly, fluffed up with her eyes closed. It's just the way she was. I think you would definitely be better of with more than 2 not just because some do not survive long but also because 2 of mine have never ever laid (only softies). So if it's a regular supply of eggs you want you need more hens. Perhaps the easiest way to persuade your hubby is just to accidently pick up 3 (or more) hens - the BHWT usually have a few extra girls needing homes so you could justify it that way Gosh this has turned out a rather long post - sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 My first chickens have been Ex batts and like you I wondered if I was doing the right thing.! One year and five months on, I am so pleased I did go down that route. As has already been said it is very rewarding to watch them become chickens again after such a horrible existence. Don't be put off by the thought of one not making it...at least it will have had a chance even if the worst happens. I would like some "posh" chickens at some point but I have never for one minute regretted getting my little exbatts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 Another one whos first chickens were ex batts The only thing I would say is that if you want a guarantee of eggs don't get ex-batts. We got them as pets with any eggs as an added bonus. We rescued our six on the 26th April and very sadly we did lose three in short succession in July and August but we are so glad that we took the decision to rescue some. The joy of watching them do all the normal chickeny things just can't be beaten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 I have always had pets but never chickens - mine are ex-batts and the first ones I have had. They have been fine, and there is always lots of help on here if you have questions. I can't recommend them enough ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLK69 Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 An echo of other stories here - I went from zero to exbatt chook keeper (loads of research and help from this site) I got 5 in March and have never regretted it - they were a bit bald - but tame as anything, and they all lay an egg almost every day. Get more chooks not less, saves introductions later and every one thinks they have first dibs on the fresh eggs - ..... Also I went straight for a cube, I had a feeling from reading the site- I might be addicted - They are now mega healthy and totally cheeky. Susie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 My 2 penn'orth for what it's worth.... I have 3 young loony labradors, and 2 children of my own with 3 others at least as a regular occurrence! On this basis I went for 3 lovely hybrids, which I felt would be more "bomb-proof" than the exbatts, although I plan in the future to get some (and a cube for them all to live in!!). Mine have been an absolute joy, and now are happy to free range with the 3 hairballs, with very few problems - except when the chooks come into the back porch & meet the girls head-on in a very confined space...much squawking later everything settled and the chooks haven't ventured in since! The above is probably not much help, but I really would go the 3+ route as recommended everywhere else, although you may decide that even 3 aren't enough soon........! My hubby wasn't greatly impressed when I first got the chooks ("they are yours!"), but now can quite often be found head first under a bush, with 3 chooks clucking round him, searching out bugs under bricks etc for them - very funny to watch!! Must find the camera & keep it handy!! Good luck, Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 I must admit the concern I have with the ex batts is that they will arrive with broken legs/wings The BHWT would not rehome chooks with these problems they would be kept back by the co-ordinator and sorted out before being sent to a new home. As for the chooks being unwell shortly after arrival - this can be hit and miss and much the same with any chook when moving into a new environment. As long as you give them lots of TLC, warmth and good food with supplements im sure all will be well. Do your research and reading before you get them as any good pet owner would and the journey into chicken owning will be a breeze. Dont worry about freaking out your husband with 3 or 4 chickens - he will soon love them and wonder why he ever worried about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 we are first time chicken owners and we went for ex batts, we got 4 (which have now become 5). PM me if you want to ask anything specific but go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 (edited) Like so many others that have posted, I went from zero chook experience to 6 ex-batts in May and would highly recommend them. Watching scrawny oven-readies turn into confident cheeky chooks has got to be the best experience ever . There's a lot of info on the BHWT website and loads of experience among forum members that I have certanly made the most of Like Poet, feel free to pm me if you want any more info and I'll certainly help if I can Edited September 17, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 5 ex-batts straight off, very rewarding! And as said before they don't get rehomed if there are obvious health problems. I've helped in a rescue and about 10 out of 500 were kept to one side to be nursed back to health. Plus the co-ordinators were always there to help with advice, even after you've got them home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
