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

[tooties]

I've had 3 ex-batts since end of Feb. One has already died from suspected peritonitis, one has sterile peritonitis, and the other one keeps laying softees and is very unhappy whilst doing so. I'm not bothered about having eggs, I just want them to be happy and as healthy as possible.

 

I've been feeding them layers mash to start, then swapped to ex-batt crumbs. Is there a non laying food I can give them that will not encourage egg production?

 

They already get as many supplements as I can possibly squeeze into a day - zolcal D, cod liver oil, limestone flour, crushed up egg shells to name such a few - so its not that they're not getting what they need to lay, just that they are worn out already

[Bald Carl]

Hi tooties,

you obviously care for these chickens which will be the first time they have had any care and attention in their lives.

 

The first thing to remember is that these chickens often are completely burnt out and spent by the time you get them. It is not your fault they have had problems. I am sure that you know this anyway.

 

You could always try growers crumbs/pellets. Beign adults they would probably be ok. I only give crumbs to chicks and then mix a few pellets in with the crumbs and gradually increase the amount of pelletts they have. Chickens also love mixed corn. Just sprinkle it on their run and they will happily peck away until they are all gone. I don't think corn will stimulate egg laying. They are getting calcium from the egg shells. Try to give them plenty of greens. Ours eat grass cuttings/weeds from the garden. Any left over veg from the kitchen/dining table. Any meat left over from meals. If you have any food which would be chucked for being a couple of days past the use by date - cook it and give it to the chickens (not poultry meat though).

 

I wouldn't worry too much about the supplements. If they get green stuff they should be ok. If you go to a local grocers, ask them for any greens or leaves. Our neighbours leave bin bags of grass cuttings outside the front door or tip them over the fence into the run for the birds to eat.

 

You could also try churning up the run with a fork/trowel. They love this and go rooting for bugs/worms etc. Again this is mother natures very own supplements.

 

I am thinking of going one further and once I've got the shed/garage cleared out, get hold of a cheap second hand fish tank and get some mealworms. Any bread that goes stale and the bread our neighbours drop off in a bag at the front door will go in to feed the mealworms. This will then be a bit of fresh protein for the birds (it's just an idea at the moment).

 

Cheers,

 

Carl

[peggotty]

Hi tooties

I know just how you feel, I have also considered this problem and whether there is any way I can discourage egglaying, as 3 of my first batch of 4 ex batts were all pts due to egglaying problems (tumour, peritonitis and prolapse). I am vegan, so the chicken definitely comes first before the egg as far as I am concerned.

 

When Duffy was continually laying softies and prolapsing, I rang the exbatt care line and they suggested I try feeding ornamental poultry pellets, as it is a balanced diet which would not promote egg laying as it was for show birds. I have not been brave enough to try it, as I am worried that the ex batts are sort of programmed to lay eggs to death and a non-laying diet may make things worse. (and Duffy prolapsed completely and had to be pts within a day or two of the advice.)

 

I have also considered spaying, but it is a big op for hens, and I don't think it would be fair when exbatts are already completely past their prime and had a miserable life.

 

So as you can see, I have had real dilemmas re the wisdom of rescuing exbatts when they are so prone to egg problems, but seeing my current 4 trotting around the garden so happily, I think I just have to accept that any life they get out of the battery units is worth it to them.

 

Love to you and yours.

[Budgies]

I'm sorry to hear you're having all these problems - ex batts can be such poorly creatures.

 

I would be reluctant to put them on anything too high in fat or protein and I think growers pellets might be high in those things to get the birds to grow.

 

Perhaps you could replace some of their crumbs with some wheat? It's not as fattening as corn.

 

Hopefully someone with more knowledge will be able to guide you further.