Chick-a-doodle-doo Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 about getting my ex battery hens! I get them tomorrow (still excited, lol) but I am having nerves too about the condition they will be in. Is this normal? I have not had ex battery hens before but I since starting on our chicken life that is the hen I wanted. The others out voted me in the beginning and wanted to start with normal chicks but I still wanted the ex batts. I have a waiting for them and hope they will love it.. I suppose I am worried about the time of year it is and them not being used to the outside! how will they cope with our winter? Panicing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Don't panic, just love them unconditionally I'm welling up at the thought of your worries, I had them too, my girls were almost oven ready & so haunted....I kept them out of draughts, well fed and watered and talked to them almost constantly....despite the snow which arrived just after them .they are now feathered and so nosey it's unreal, they still don't like being cuddled & any checks have to be either done as a surprise to them ie they haven't had the chance to tear off down the garden or after bed when I can hoik them out of their nest box. They are so worth the effort...enjoy them...with a peg on your nose for the first few days, they do hum Is your cube traditionally elevated? They may need help getting up there, one of mine has never ventured into the penthouse cube, preferring her basement version, perhaps a ramp rather than the ladder or some logs to make it easier to get from the ground to the ladder.....they've never had to climb so their leg muscles are a bit weak to start with. Good luck & huge {{{hugs}}} from me & my batties Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 They're going to be very lucky girls - dont worry - you'll be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Aww, of course your gonna be worried, it just shows what a caring chicken mummy you are. You will be absolutely great and they are very lucky chickens! Relax and enjoy them, but most importantly.... Don't forget the pictures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahsausage Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 I'm so jealous! I've got to wait 3 weeks till I get two more ex-batts! It's natural to be nervous, I'm sure I will be when I go to collect the newbies. Some are in worse condition than others but they're tough birds so they'll soon get stronger. They'll snuggle up together to keep warm so don't worry about that, I find plenty of soft sawdust is good to snuggle down in. Enjoy your new girls and bless you for giving them a new life of freedom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JS1 Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Got mine last weekend and am actually pleased I'd had a little 'normal' chicken experience first, so it's probably all for the best that you were over-ruled at first! It's been amazing this week to see them learning to become chickens and grow in confidence from the frightened wee beasts they were on Sunday. And, being in Scotland, they've had to cope with some truly horrendous weather too, but are very clever girls and have been taking themselves into the Eglu for shelter Good luck - hope it goes well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slim Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 There are alot of people picking up ex-bats tommrow myself included so we will have to all lean on each other!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Awwwwwwww. Good luck everyone of you. You are angels all of you. Got me crying again. Can't wait to see your piccies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Good luck with them - and I'm sure you'l be fine....don't forget we MUST have photos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Don't worry Waiting, it will all be fine You will find yourself unable to tear yourself away from 'checking' on them every two minutes... I'm sure it will all go smoothly. Where are you getting yours from? skye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Don't worry, you will know exactly how to look after them. Remember where they came from was so awful but you will be able to give them the best of care now. They are tough little things - they soon learn to huddle up together to keep warm and the best places to shelter from the wind and rain. Like others have said, some warm bedding in their house and a cover/tarp for the run to keep out the worst of the weather will be all they need to keep them cosy. They will be nervous and bewildered for the first few days but get brave incredibly quickly. It only took a few days for mine to come flapping towards me like lunatics when they see me coming out of the door with their food. It's humbling how trusting they are of humans when you think what people have done to them in the past... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Have a great day tomorrow all of you, bet you don't get much sleep. Will look out for the pictures and stories Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Have a good day tomorow. I've had my ex bats Lily and Lola four weeks tomorow but it feels like they have always been here. They weren't in bad condition when I got them and were out FR with the other chooks after about a week. They are starting to grow more feathers [both have bald patches over their crops] and are different chickens than they were. They have gone from nervous peck anything chickens to very chilled get on with anyone chickens. Its lovely to see them come running out of the vegetable patch when I call them. They hve moved in with my other chooks this week and all seem to be getting on fine. Give then lots of TLC and they will be fine. Ps Don't forget the pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick-a-doodle-doo Posted November 20, 2009 Author Share Posted November 20, 2009 aww, thanks for all your replies. I am getting mine from Rossendale (something like that\) it is the nOrthwest contact. Anyone else getting them from here? My hubby is collecting them for me as I have other committments with my younger daughter. Where you getting yours from slim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 Haslingden? Adele? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick-a-doodle-doo Posted November 21, 2009 Author Share Posted November 21, 2009 Haslingden? Adele? Yes! We got 4 girls who are now tucked up in bed. Called Katy, Sam, Lucy and Camilla. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
