Is your dog's unusual barking a secret code for something mysterious?

[Leicester_H]

Hi

 

As some of you will now, I now have 3 chickens (1 original Omlet chicken arrived Easter 2007 and 2 new girls arrived August 2009) living together in an eglu and standard run PLUS one EMPTY eglu and standard run. They are let out to free range most days (weather permitting)(except when were’re on holiday) – they don’t stay out that long 30mins – 1 hour and wander back of their own accord – so I assume they’re satisfied.

 

So I have 2 options (probably wait till spring in either case)

a. get 3 more ‘standard’ chickens

b. get 3 ex-bats

 

So my questions are

1. Are ex-bats much more difficult / time-consuming ? (I work full time but OH is at home half the day usually)

2. I’ve heard they vet potential adopters (which is a good idea) – how ‘strict’ is this ?

3. Do they need different treatment / food etc ? – how long for ?

4. How long do they generally live for ?

5. Is there a LOT more potential for 'heart-ache' than with standard chickens (if so, I may simply ease my conscience by giving money to BHWT and get standard chickens)

 

Any other info would be welcomed – anyone with ex-bats near me that I could visit ??

Thanks, H

[jellykelly]

I can't really answer questions with regard to how time consuming they are or introduction yet. I only collected mine on saturday and I'm simply letting them get on with it in the run to build strength. They are getting a few treats though.

 

Definately get them. If they're not rescued, they will go to slaughter. I'm sure they will be more rewarding then 'normal' chickens. You will get to see them thrive, grow in strength, confidence and of course grow some feathers!

[Slim]

1, no more than a normal chook, care depends on the state you get them in. Remember you will be showing them the first loving contact they have ever had so things will only get better!

 

2, This will be a quick phone call, Have you had chooks before, what housing have you got etc. Don't panic it is not that bad.

 

3, It is worth getting ex-bat crumb, I mixed with normal pelets and that was it after a week. lots aof food areas are a good idea.

 

4, Most are a year old and most chooks live to 4/5 years

 

5, It is so rewarding to see the feathers come back and to see them come out of their shell (BAD PUN!!) I will NEVER Buy a chicken again!!

[Lydia]

Hi there

 

Great to hear that you're thinking of adopting ex-batts. Definitely go for it I say. Answers to your questions as follows:

 

1. Are ex-bats much more difficult / time-consuming ? (I work full time but OH is at home half the day usually)

 

On the whole no. You already know how to talk chicken so it will not be a big leap of faith for you.

 

Some birds can have more needs than others or be more traumatised but if you explain to the rehomers that you are new to them they will more than likely give you hopefully fitter birds. I did this the first time I took them on.

 

2. I’ve heard they vet potential adopters (which is a good idea) – how ‘strict’ is this ?

 

As Slim said it's nothing to worry about. All they are checking is that you are not doing this on a whim and are prepared. Once they know you've already got chickens and have separate housing for the ex-batts they'll more than likely bite your hand off.

 

3. Do they need different treatment / food etc ? – how long for ?

 

Personally, these days, I feed all of mine (including 2 non ex-batts) on the ex-batt crumb all of the time as I find there's less wastage and it benefits the other 2 as well. However, before the ex-batt range came along I just used to feed the normal mash from day 1 and all was well.

 

You will need mash though, not pellets, initially as that is all the ex-batts will have known and they won't know what to do with pellets. You can gradually integrate pellets if you wish further down the road

 

Regarding treatment, remember that they will be thoroughly traumatised initially so we find the best thing is to put them in their run with a range of food outlets and water and leave them alone for a day. Watch them by all means and make sure they find the food and water but don’t try anything major like cuddles or much interaction as everything will spook them – voices, other animals, wild birds, you, planes going over etc.. It is also likely that treats will freak them out at first so introduce them gradually.

 

4. How long do they generally live for ?

 

This depends on the individual bird and where they came from. Some don’t live all that long at all – one of ours, Lucy, only managed 3 months. We find that most ex-batts will live between a year and eighteen months but some go longer – both of our first two lived over 2 years.

 

The important thing to remember is that, however long they last, each day of freedom is so much better than the life they previously led.

 

5. Is there a LOT more potential for 'heart-ache' than with standard chickens (if so, I may simply ease my conscience by giving money to BHWT and get standard chickens)

 

Personally I don’t think so. Yes it’s always sad when they go but it’s sad when any of the hens go. I find the rewards far outweigh the headache factor every time – just watching a hen being given a chance to learn to become a hen is a terrific experience.

 

I'm a bit far from Leicester but you'd be very welcome if your around this ywa anytime. I'm sure there'll be someone nearer though.

[veggiemad]

Hi.

 

We have three exbatts which arrived in august a so i shall attempt to answer - but do not have 'standard ' chickens to compare.

 

 

1 .i doubt they take up anymore time than normal , i find mine to be quite independant and just need food and water the same.

 

2. i had a chat with our local rescue centre asking housing etc as slim said- it isnt a house inspection- no need to get the hoover out!

 

3. mine had ex batt crumb for a whole 20kg then went onto pellets fairly easily - really they didnt need 20kg, 5kg wouldve done just fine and its quite a mess is they spill the crumb !! They could then go on to normal layers pellets buti've kept mine on ex batt for the xtra nutrition and its only about 2 pound more per 20kg. Mine have also need limestone flour and cod liver oil as one is laying quite a few softies but the other 2 lay really good shells anyway. i get on average 2 eggs per day , even through this nasty cold weather we've had!!

 

4. i had one that was approx 18months and the other 2 were abit younger i think .

 

5 . it is really rewarding - i also wouldn't buy a hen now althought there are some pretty little breeds out there. I will be getting more as soon as my wir is up and i'm nervous but only beacuse they did do abit of bullying last time and am worried about the intros etc but i think this would probably be true of any hen as they all need to sort out the pecking order.

 

It really is worth it - one of mine was pretty much bald and to see her feathers grow back and to learn to scratch and free range is a beautiful sight and brought a tear to my eye knowing what would've happened if they werent rescued.

 

I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you- but please DO consider ex batts, they are fab

 

oh.... and sorry to waffle!!

[Leicester_H]

Many thanks - I think I'm convinced.

Have registered details with BHWT - will contact coordinator - there doesn't seem to be one in Leicestershire ? Nottinghamshire seems closest ??

 

I assume BHWT are the people to contact ?

 

H

[Lydia]

Excellent news!

 

BHWT are one organisation and are terrific to deal with. Most of our lot come from BHWT. Notts would probably be your closest although the person there will tell you if there's a closer one.

 

Another rehoming organisation is Hen Rehomers. I've had one lot of hens from here. Also very good to deal with - they rescue from one place and transport the hens all over the place. And looks like they have a rescue quite soon - 27 Feb!

[beulah59]

I started with ex-batts and picked up some 'normal' hens about three months later ... neither harder than the other, really, although my ex-batts were pretty well feathered (as a newbie, they took pity on us and gave us healthy ones!)

[Lavenders_Blue]

Any other info would be welcomed – anyone with ex-bats near me that I could visit ??

Thanks, H

 

Hi Hazel, I'm about 45 mins or so from you in Rutland. You would be very welcome to come and see my girls if you would like. They arrived with us at the beginning of April so have been cage free for 3 months now and are very happy, healthy hens!

[Egluntyne]

**Henrehomers UK** have a rescue planned onn 27th Feb. I got my last lot of exbatts via them.

 

Runs slightly differently to the BHWT as they are a smaller charity with very limited funding, so you have to pay up front for your hens ( all legit).

 

I don't find the website particularly appealing or user friendly... the people are lovely though!

 

I suggest that if you are interested you contact them and they will provide you with more info about your nearest co-ordinator etc, without you committing yourself to anything.

[Space Chick]

I got my ex batts from Hen rehomers, they are lovely girls. I found the first few days harder than with my other chickens, but in honesty that was probably my panicking to show them love they had never known rather than them being more needy

 

Now, they are no different from my other girls, although the quality of eggs (more brittle shell and runnier whites) are not as good as with my others.

 

I don't mind though, as they are lovely characters

[Suzy]

Hi, I know you have already decided you are going to get ex-batts I just wanted to say that I was a complete beginner - I had no idea about hens at all, let alone ex-batts when mine arrived so I cannot comment on a normal vs ex-batt time/ attention situation, but...

 

I can totoally vouch for the sheer love I feel for mine, even more so because of where they came from and the amount of time i have wasted staring out of the back gardem to see them doing henny things, for the first time and now as second nature.

 

My 3 have been with me for nearly 15 months and I love them to bits. One of them will not last much longer as she's been ill for a week or so, but she;s a tough old bird and is still going strong and the otehr two are fighting fit and loving life.

 

I am really glad you are going to let 3 ladies have a chance of a life they so definitely deserve.

 

This may sound sentimental (and it probably is because I am about to lose one) but you are making the best decision in getting ex-batts as they are a sheer delight to own and watch becoming the little hens they obviously were meant to be.

 

Suzy

[Leicester_H]

Thanks, Suzy.

[Pikey]

Not a lot more to add except that I got mine from hen rehomers a year this Sunday and I have to say its one of the best things I have ever done.

 

One of the best things is that seeing them when they first came out the battery has convinced many of my friends and family to eat only free range eggs and chickens.

 

I would recommend the ex-batt crumbs......I moved mine onto this prob about 6 months after I had them and it did wonders for getting their feathers to grow. Also get some ZocalD for a supplement as somethings their shells are very thin.