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

[chickencam]

We are looking at adding to out flock, mainly to get more eggs and hopefully get eggs over the winter. We are inclined towards young hens because we want better quality eggs and want them to take over from our current girls as they retire, but before we write off ex bats I thought that I would find out more.

 

I remember Poet posting not long ago about the problems that she had with the health of her girls and the associated vets bills. I am interested in other people's experiences.

[Barkisland]

I would not recommend you rehome ex batts if your main reason for having them is eggs.

[indigopurple]

I love my ex-batts but i would not get them if eggs are your priorty. they are spent hens and while many do lay and lay well you are running the risk of non-layers. i have had my three for three week and i have had 8 eggs so far. one is definetely not laying as she is still feathering up.

 

if for a pet then i would recommend them as i love mine. they are full of character and i love watching them learn to be chickens.

[melly264]

We have homed 5 ex-batts, 3 at first, one later died and we added another 2. So we now have 4, and have 3 eggs pretty much every day. We were very nervous about their health at first, but that have shown themselves to be quite resiliant to ill health. When you choose your hens you do have the option of having those with very few feathers or those with loads, so if bald chickens concern you there is a way round it.

 

Ginger who passed away was not plagued with ill health, she had one day of not being herself and then died peacefully in her sleep.

 

I love my ex-batts, they are great fun and real characters, and eggs too

 

Good luck deciding!