Chicken bald back

[lucylackhamstudent]

Hello, I am new to the forum but it would be much appreciated if you could fill out this questionnaire if you own or have own ex-battery hens.

 

Hen Rehab

 

I am full time student at Wiltshire College, Lackham studying for my National Diploma in Animal Management; as part of the course I am required to carry out an investigation into whether ex- battery hens ever fully recover? It would be much appreciated if you took a few moments of your time to fill out the following questions that will go towards my research.

 

1. How many ex-battery hens have you rescued?

 

1-10

11-30

30-50

50-70

70+

 

2. What stereotypic behaviours did they show when they arrived?

 

Feather plucking

Pecking at nothing

Dust bathing excessively

Pecking other chickens

Other (please state)

 

3. What physical problems did they have when they arrived?

 

No feathers

Sores on feet/ankles

Problem eating due to damaged beak

Disease

Weak or broken bones

Other (please state)

 

4. At which week following the rescue did most of the ex-battery hens stop the stereotypic behaviours circled in question 2?

 

1

2

3

4

5

6+

Never

 

5. At which week following the rescue did the physical problems suffered by battery hens circled in question 3 completely heal?

 

1

2

3

4

5

6+

Never

 

6. Could most of the ex-battery hens lay eggs when they arrived? Yes / No

 

7. If no… At which week following the rescue week did most of the ex-battery hens start laying again?

 

1

2

3

4

5

6 +

Never

 

8. Do you own (or have owned) chickens that are not ex-battery hens? Yes / No

 

9. If yes… Are they healthier than the recovered ex-battery hens? Yes / Same / No

 

10. Do you think that ex-battery hens every fully recover both mentally and physically?

 

 

If you just reply back your answers and thoughts it would be greatly appreiciated.

 

Thank you so much for taking your time to complete this questionnaire; your answers will contribute greatly to my research.

[docsquid]

Can't reply as I don't have ex-batts, but I would like to congratulate you on your questionnaire - if only my medical students could design something like yours!

[Chunky_Monkey]

1. How many ex-battery hens have you rescued?

 

1-10

 

2. What stereotypic behaviours did they show when they arrived?

 

Pecking other chickens

 

3. What physical problems did they have when they arrived?

 

No feathers

 

4. At which week following the rescue did most of the ex-battery hens stop the stereotypic behaviours circled in question 2?

 

5

 

5. At which week following the rescue did the physical problems suffered by battery hens circled in question 3 completely heal?

 

6+

 

6. Could most of the ex-battery hens lay eggs when they arrived?

 

Yes

 

8. Do you own (or have owned) chickens that are not ex-battery hens?

 

Yes

 

9. If yes… Are they healthier than the recovered ex-battery hens?

 

Same

 

10. Do you think that ex-battery hens every fully recover both mentally and physically?

 

I think they can recover physically, but I still think they can remember what it was like in the cages.

 

[Egluntyne]

1. How many ex-battery hens have you rescued?

 

1-10

 

2. What stereotypic behaviours did they show when they arrived?

 

Other. Standing around in a stupor, not knowing what was expected of them.

 

3. What physical problems did they have when they arrived?

No feathers

 

Other. Weak muscles.

 

4. At which week following the rescue did most of the ex-battery hens stop the stereotypic behaviours circled in question 2?

 

2

 

5. At which week following the rescue did the physical problems suffered by battery hens circled in question 3 completely heal?

 

6+

 

6. Could most of the ex-battery hens lay eggs when they arrived?

Yes

 

7. If no… At which week following the rescue week did most of the ex-battery hens start laying again?

 

 

8. Do you own (or have owned) chickens that are not ex-battery hens?

Yes

 

9. If yes… Are they healthier than the recovered ex-battery hens?

Same

 

10. Do you think that ex-battery hens every fully recover both mentally and physically?

Yes

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Hi Lucy,

 

1. How many ex-battery hens have you rescued?

 

1-10

 

2. What stereotypic behaviours did they show when they arrived?

 

Pecking other chickens

Other - standing around & staring at nothing for ages, then eating as though never fed before, looking haunted & spooked by any noise or movement

 

3. What physical problems did they have when they arrived?

 

No feathers

 

4. At which week following the rescue did most of the ex-battery hens stop the stereotypic behaviours circled in question 2?

 

6+, now they only really do it to newbies who need to know who's boss!

 

 

5. At which week following the rescue did the physical problems suffered by battery hens circled in question 3 completely heal?

 

6+ Hazel & Lily have only just recently gained the last feathers to "fill in the gaps"

 

6. Could most of the ex-battery hens lay eggs when they arrived? Yes on the day they arrived!

7. If no… At which week following the rescue week did most of the ex-battery hens start laying again?

 

N/A

 

8. Do you own (or have owned) chickens that are not ex-battery hens? Yes

 

9. If yes… Are they healthier than the recovered ex-battery hens? Same

 

10. Do you think that ex-battery hens every fully recover both mentally and physically?

 

Physically they are all lovely, healthy, feisty girls......mentally who knows, I suppose I will find out when I next get some batties..........this won't be for some time, as 24 is enough, especially in the quagmire which is our back garden at the mo

I've had my batties since the end of January & they are much the same now as any of the healthy hybrid girls, they stand their ground when they want to and are laid back when they want to be. Lily chats for England & they all like to be near us.

 

I hope this helps Lucy

 

Sha x

[mostin]

1. How many ex-battery hens have you rescued?

 

1-10

 

 

2. What stereotypic behaviours did they show when they arrived?

 

Pecking at nothing

Just standing around dazed, standing in the food bowls, and then being very very aggressive to my other "normal" chickens.

 

3. What physical problems did they have when they arrived?

 

No feathers

Weak or broken bones

Covered in a stinky slime, don't know what it was but it took them 2 weeks to clean themselves. I didn't bath them as I didn't want to put them into shock.

 

4. At which week following the rescue did most of the ex-battery hens stop the stereotypic behaviours circled in question 2?

 

6+

 

5. At which week following the rescue did the physical problems suffered by battery hens circled in question 3 completely heal?

 

6+

 

6. Could most of the ex-battery hens lay eggs when they arrived?

 

No

 

7. If no… At which week following the rescue week did most of the ex-battery hens start laying again?

 

Never, but I don't mind one little bit.

 

8. Do you own (or have owned) chickens that are not ex-battery hens?

 

Yes

 

9. If yes… Are they healthier than the recovered ex-battery hens?

 

Yes

 

10. Do you think that ex-battery hens every fully recover both mentally and physically?

 

Yes, as much as they ever can do. The aggression was finally tamed out them and they all get on very well now. Due to the nature of the breed they will never be as hardy as my other chickens. They put all their energy into eggs instead of their bodies, this makes it very difficult to build them up, but you will never find chickens with more spirit, or who will win over a non-chicken person more quickly.

[Space Chick]

1. How many ex-battery hens have you rescued?

 

1-10

 

2. What stereotypic behaviours did they show when they arrived?

 

Pecking other chickens

 

3. What physical problems did they have when they arrived?

 

No feathers, cut comb

 

4. At which week following the rescue did most of the ex-battery hens stop the stereotypic behaviours circled in question 2?

 

2

 

5. At which week following the rescue did the physical problems suffered by battery hens circled in question 3 completely heal?

 

6+

 

6. Could most of the ex-battery hens lay eggs when they arrived?

 

Yes

 

8. Do you own (or have owned) chickens that are not ex-battery hens?

 

Yes

 

9. If yes… Are they healthier than the recovered ex-battery hens?

 

Same

 

10. Do you think that ex-battery hens every fully recover both mentally and physically?

 

I think they can recover physically, but I still think they can remember what it was like in the cages.

 

[theherd123]

Hello, I am new to the forum but it would be much appreciated if you could fill out this questionnaire if you own or have own ex-battery hens.

 

Hen Rehab

 

I am full time student at Wiltshire College, Lackham studying for my National Diploma in Animal Management; as part of the course I am required to carry out an investigation into whether ex- battery hens ever fully recover? It would be much appreciated if you took a few moments of your time to fill out the following questions that will go towards my research.

 

1. How many ex-battery hens have you rescued?

 

11-30

 

 

2. What stereotypic behaviours did they show when they arrived?

 

Feather plucking

Pecking at nothing

Pecking other chickens

Standing still or very little movement

Sitting down for long periods of time

Turning in circles

 

3. What physical problems did they have when they arrived?

 

No feathers

Sores on feet/ankles

Weak bones

Lack of muscle tone

Very floppy & damaged (pecked) comb

Loose pooh

 

4. At which week following the rescue did most of the ex-battery hens stop the stereotypic behaviours circled in question 2?

 

1-2 weeks

 

5. At which week following the rescue did the physical problems suffered by battery hens circled in question 3 completely heal?

 

6+

6. Could most of the ex-battery hens lay eggs when they arrived? Yes but this isnt always the case. I have found it's dependent on their condition when removed from the battery farm.

 

7. If no… At which week following the rescue week did most of the ex-battery hens start laying again?

 

3-4 weeks

 

8. Do you own (or have owned) chickens that are not ex-battery hens? No

 

9. If yes… Are they healthier than the recovered ex-battery hens? N/A

 

10. Do you think that ex-battery hens every fully recover both mentally and physically?

 

With the right TLC in the majority of cases - Yes, however some never recover but just giving them a chance at what life should be like for a chickens is satisfying.

If you just reply back your answers and thoughts it would be greatly appreiciated.

 

Thank you so much for taking your time to complete this questionnaire; your answers will contribute greatly to my research.

[Suzy]

1. How many ex-battery hens have you rescued?

 

1-10

 

2. What stereotypic behaviours did they show when they arrived?

 

Feather plucking

Pecking at nothing

Standing around looking at nothing

Empty eyes (I think some call this ghost eyes)

Guarding food and water troughs

 

3. What physical problems did they have when they arrived?

 

No feathers

Weak legs. Couldn't cope with roosting bars

 

4. At which week following the rescue did most of the ex-battery hens stop the stereotypic behaviours circled in question 2?

 

6+ food guarding & feather pulling took at least 4 months to subside

 

5. At which week following the rescue did the physical problems suffered by battery hens circled in question 3 completely heal?

 

6+ Two of my three only grew back all their feathers in time for autumn this year (released Nov 2008)

 

6. Could most of the ex-battery hens lay eggs when they arrived? Yes

 

8. Do you own (or have owned) chickens that are not ex-battery hens? No

 

10. Do you think that ex-battery hens every fully recover both mentally and physically?

 

Actually I think not. Physically they have been bred to lay eggs to excessive amounts and I think that has a massive impact on them as I have two who have stopped laying pretty much altogether, but still we get some soft shelled eggs. I asked OH how he would answer and he says that the eggs have greatly improved but are not of the quality of happy hens.

Mentally, who knows, but based on how they are now.... acting like normal hens, no guarding, bullying has finally subsided and they are a mini flock and hang around together, preeen, groom, (nearly) perch like normal hens they show no sign of their former life. I have only had ex-batts so can't say whether they are any different to regular hens.

 

Good luck in your studies - I think its a fabulous project and I wish you success in it.

 

Suzy

[Fourbecameeight]

1. How many ex-battery hens have you rescued?

 

1-10

 

2. What stereotypic behaviours did they show when they arrived?

 

Pecking at nothing

Other- one puts things on her back (bits of twig/ straw)

 

3. What physical problems did they have when they arrived?

 

No feathers

 

4. At which week following the rescue did most of the ex-battery hens stop the stereotypic behaviours circled in question 2?

 

2 weeks-Pecking at nothing

Never-putting things on her back

 

5. At which week following the rescue did the physical problems suffered by battery hens circled in question 3 completely heal?

 

6+

 

6. Could most of the ex-battery hens lay eggs when they arrived? Yes

 

8. Do you own (or have owned) chickens that are not ex-battery hens? Yes

 

9. If yes… Are they healthier than the recovered ex-battery hens? Same

 

10. Do you think that ex-battery hens every fully recover both mentally and physically?

 

You can’t tell the difference between the ex-battery hens and the others now. I like to think they have recovered mentally as well as physically. We do have one who likes to put things on her back and she also spends ages laying an egg and like the nest box just so. I also think they spend more time dust bathing and sun bathing than the others.

[Lydia]

1. How many ex-battery hens have you rescued?

 

11-30

 

2. What stereotypic behaviours did they show when they arrived?

 

Other: Standing around in awe, being scared of everything - planes, cars, voices, cats, wind, water, not knowing where to roost for the night

 

3. What physical problems did they have when they arrived?

 

No feathers

Sores on feet/ankles

Problem eating due to damaged beak

Weak or broken bones

Other: Floppy combs, overgrown claws

 

4. At which week following the rescue did most of the ex-battery hens stop the stereotypic behaviours circled in question 2?

 

1

 

5. At which week following the rescue did the physical problems suffered by battery hens circled in question 3 completely heal?

 

6+

Never (one has never fully grown back her feathers and other hen's combs were always floppy)

 

6. Could most of the ex-battery hens lay eggs when they arrived? Yes

 

7. If no… At which week following the rescue week did most of the ex-battery hens start laying again? N/A

 

8. Do you own (or have owned) chickens that are not ex-battery hens? Yes

 

9. If yes… Are they healthier than the recovered ex-battery hens? Yes - in most cases

 

10. Do you think that ex-battery hens every fully recover both mentally and physically?

 

It depends on the individual hen. I'd say they recover physically but some are always a bit on the fragile side mentally. A couple of mine have retained their dislike of people and will not come near us at all.

[Janty]

1. How many ex-battery hens have you rescued?

 

1-10

 

2. What stereotypic behaviours did they show when they arrived?

 

Feather plucking

Pecking at nothing

Pecking other chickens

Standing still for huge periods of time

Not roosting at night

 

3. What physical problems did they have when they arrived?

 

No feathers

Sores on feet/ankles

Problem eating due to damaged beak

 

4. At which week following the rescue did most of the ex-battery hens stop the stereotypic behaviours circled in question 2?

 

6+

 

5. At which week following the rescue did the physical problems suffered by battery hens circled in question 3 completely heal?

 

6+

 

6. Could most of the ex-battery hens lay eggs when they arrived?

 

No

 

7. If no… At which week following the rescue week did most of the ex-battery hens start laying again?

 

Between 1 and 6 weeks

 

8. Do you own (or have owned) chickens that are not ex-battery hens?

 

Yes

 

9. If yes… Are they healthier than the recovered ex-battery hens?

 

Same

 

10. Do you think that ex-battery hens every fully recover both mentally and physically?

 

Yes, my hens that I have had since December 2007 are still fighting fit. He/She (aka Tinsel) has adopted lesbianism and is crowing merrily in my in-laws garden with her own four girlies. Mistletoe is laying huge eggs again, albeit wrinklies, and is as fit and healthy as any of my others.

Edited November 30, 2009 by Guest

[abwsco]

1. How many ex-battery hens have you rescued?

 

1-10

 

2. What stereotypic behaviours did they show when they arrived?

 

Other (please state)

Fighting over food and wanted to eat and eat and eat. Also, shellshocked for the first couple of days

 

3. What physical problems did they have when they arrived?

 

Other (please state)

Five out of 6 had quite a lot of feather missing but nowhere near oven ready like some we have seen. Large pale combs and very sad and lifeless eyes. They looked like they had no soul.

 

4. At which week following the rescue did most of the ex-battery hens stop the stereotypic behaviours circled in question 2?

 

1

 

5. At which week following the rescue did the physical problems suffered by battery hens circled in question 3 completely heal?

 

Never. Although one fully feathered up the others only feathered up in varying amounts. Combs also never shrank to normal size for most of them.

 

6. Could most of the ex-battery hens lay eggs when they arrived? Yes / No

 

Yes

 

7. If no… At which week following the rescue week did most of the ex-battery hens start laying again?

 

N/A

 

8. Do you own (or have owned) chickens that are not ex-battery hens?

 

Yes

 

9. If yes… Are they healthier than the recovered ex-battery hens?

 

Yes

 

10. Do you think that ex-battery hens every fully recover both mentally and physically?

 

Mentally, yes I would hope so. Mine were always the fiestiest of my chickens. First to stampede down the back garden as soon as they spotted you and also the only ones who thought that they had a right to be in the house at every opportunity.

Physically, I'm not sure as our first one died 3 months after her rescue and our last one died 16 months after her rescue. I do feel that they were worn out from the battery cage experience

[Griffin]

1. How many ex-battery hens have you rescued?

 

1-10

 

 

2. What stereotypic behaviours did they show when they arrived?

 

Other (please state) They were shell shocked, they just stood there not knowing what to do.

 

3. What physical problems did they have when they arrived?

No feathers

 

Other (please state) They were very weak physically, no muscle at all. One walks with a limp and is rather hunched up, I guess she was squashed in her cage.

 

4. At which week following the rescue did most of the ex-battery hens stop the stereotypic behaviours circled in question 2?

 

2

 

5. At which week following the rescue did the physical problems suffered by battery hens circled in question 3 completely heal?

 

The feathers started to grow back immediately but it's taken a good six months for them to be as strong physically as my other hens.

 

6. Could most of the ex-battery hens lay eggs when they arrived? Yes

 

7. If no… At which week following the rescue week did most of the ex-battery hens start laying again?

 

1

2

3

4

5

6 +

Never

 

8. Do you own (or have owned) chickens that are not ex-battery hens? Yes

 

9. If yes… Are they healthier than the recovered ex-battery hens? Same

 

10. Do you think that ex-battery hens every fully recover both mentally and physically? On the whole, yes, in both respects. However one of my ex-batts has a permanent limp and she cannot stand up straight, she looks like she was squashed in her cage. She's been free for six months now with no signs of that improving. They're fully feathered, fat and happy now though. Most chickens barely have two brain cells to rub together, I don't think they remember their time in the cages now, they're just one of the gang.

[Miss_Marmite]

Here are my responses. My hens came from BHWT so had already been "screened" for health problems before I got them. Perhaps i am lucky, they didn't seem too badly off.

 

1. How many ex-battery hens have you rescued?

 

1-10

 

 

2. What stereotypic behaviours did they show when they arrived?

 

None - they seemed happy

 

3. What physical problems did they have when they arrived?

 

No feathers (just bald patches - not totally featherless)

Problem eating due to damaged beak (tip has been removed)

Disease (respiratory infection)

 

 

4. At which week following the rescue did most of the ex-battery hens stop the stereotypic behaviours circled in question 2?

 

n/a

 

 

5. At which week following the rescue did the physical problems suffered by battery hens circled in question 3 completely heal?

 

damaged beak = never (the tip has been removed).

Feathers = still growing back (only had them 1 1/2 weeks)

disease = bad chest, treated with antibiotics, not completely well yet but loads better

 

6. Could most of the ex-battery hens lay eggs when they arrived? Yes

 

7. If no… At which week following the rescue week did most of the ex-battery hens start laying again?

 

n/a

 

8. Do you own (or have owned) chickens that are not ex-battery hens? No

 

9. If yes… Are they healthier than the recovered ex-battery hens? n/a

 

10. Do you think that ex-battery hens every fully recover both mentally and physically?

Yes.

They are making great progress and so I think they will recover fully (other than the tip of the beak being missing)- but I have only had them 1 1/2 weeks. They seem fine mentally.

[EmmaJC]

1. How many ex-battery hens have you rescued?

 

1-10

 

 

2. What stereotypic behaviours did they show when they arrived?

 

Other - They had no idea what to do with themselves. They stood still for hours and didn't seem to know how to be a chicken. The strangest thing was how silent they were, none of the purring noises, no bok bok boking. As a previous poster has said, they all had dead, spooky eyes. They also had no idea what was food other than the mash.

 

3. What physical problems did they have when they arrived?

 

No feathers

Very underweight

Clipped beaks

2 inch long claws

 

4. At which week following the rescue did most of the ex-battery hens stop the stereotypic behaviours circled in question 2?

 

Within a week - it's amazing how quickly they adapt. They won't shut up now

 

5. At which week following the rescue did the physical problems suffered by battery hens circled in question 3 completely heal?

 

They regrew their feathers within 2 months, and are still putting weight on after 4 months. They managed to snap their giant talons off within a week or so. The clipped beaks can't really be fixed, and as a result they do struggle eating certain things.

 

6. Could most of the ex-battery hens lay eggs when they arrived?

 

On the first day we had 1 egg and a softie, the next day we had 2 eggs and from that day on we've had at least an egg a day.

 

7. If no… At which week following the rescue week did most of the ex-battery hens start laying again?

 

 

8. Do you own (or have owned) chickens that are not ex-battery hens?

 

No.

 

9. If yes… Are they healthier than the recovered ex-battery hens?

 

N/A

 

10. Do you think that ex-battery hens every fully recover both mentally and physically?

 

Mine have recovered more than I had ever expected. You hear so many horror stories about bonkers ex-batts but mine are such little troopers