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

[Lizzie]

Hi

 

When we brought our second lot of ex batts home back in February, our exisiting ex batts went nuts. They ran straight down the garden and it took over a week before they would stop squaking everytime they saw the new hens. I even had to put a screen up so they were not making a noise all of the time.

 

On Saturday, we collected three young hens, not ex batts this time and there has not been a peep out of our exisiting hens.

 

Do you think it was the smell of the ex batts in Feb that caused the problem before, reminding the exisiting girls what a terrible time they had been through ?

 

Just wondered

 

Regards

Liz

[Old Speckled Hen]

An interesting theory.

And quite a humbling one really.

I'm sure there's something to it.

[stoice]

maybe it was seeing another ex-batt (ie: not many feathers) that was a visual reminder of their past. No feathers = fight for everything to survive.

 

How sad if it's true. At least they've got a great life now.

[Ms Tilytinkle]

Yes I would think its the association, ie. they associate us to food & treats - so why not smell & ex batts to their past horrendous ordeal. compounded by their now happiness & freedom, the past in comparison to their lives now you bet they'd squawk!! . Ahhhh Bless their dear little Souls.

 

Ms Tillyoffoutingardentogiehersextratreatsjustbecause

justbecausenoreasonexcepttheyreallsooolovely

[Space Chick]

The poor babies

 

It makes you think what they remember. My 3 ex batts have only been cage free for a few weeks, but yesterday whilst free ranging, Polly got trapped between the WIR and the door (which was held open by a bungee rope), she completely freaked out. I have never seen a chicken in such a blind state of panic. I unclipped the door and she walked off flapping her wings. Some of my other girls have also done this, but they just back out with a little fuss. It made me think if Polly was having a "back to the cage panic attack"

 

I gave Polly some extra mealworms, some corn and some plum to remind her that she's living in a loving home in the lap of luxury now

[Egluntyne]

Fascinating. You might be on to something there. The smell of a newly released ex-batt is unforgettable.