Sooo much pooping

[Trougher]

My new girls have arrived today! Got 3 ex-batts from BHWT at Ellesmere, they are settling in well, despite the rain, and came out of the henhouse surprisingly quickly for an explore. Have sat outside with an umbrella watching them for about two hours - I'm sure every new chicken owner does the same!

 

I have a question - my girls (Cleopatra, Henrietta and Lucky) are in surprisingly good condition, not too many bald patches and quite strong legs. However, I have noticed that their nails (or is it claws?) are quite long, and some curled round. Will these wear down naturally now that they can scratch around? They are in a covered run at present, but will be allowed to (supervised) free range in the garden once they have settled in.

 

Thanks for any advice!

 

Lynne

Edited September 19, 2010 by Guest

[Donna C]

Hi lynne,

 

well done for giving some lovely ex-batts a second chance. i had some til recently and they really are fab. Their nails are normally cut down for you when you collect them as they have been in cages for so long . but if yours were missed they shouldn't be curling at the end. If you are brave(unlike me) you can cut just the end off with dog clippers but if you are in any doubt call bhwt and i'm sure they will help you. Once they are done and they are free-ranging they will not need to be done again.Enjoy you're new girls, everything is exciting to them Donna

[Trougher]

Thanks for that, Donna. At the moment they are not happy to be handled, but in a few days time when they have got used to it I may try to do a little gentle clipping. I have dog nail clippers.

 

One more question, one of our chickens (Henrietta) is doing an impersonation of an escape artist - she keeps pushing her head against the side of the covered run, and then started jumping up against it. Does anyone think she will settle down and stop doing this? They are all shut up now for the night, needed a little gentle encouragement, and when we just peeked in the top of the henhouse to see what they were doing, Henrietta instantly jumped up in a bid to escape. No doubt when they are free ranging in the garden she will be the one difficult to get back in the run!!

 

Thanks,

 

Lynne

[scarlettohara]

I'm getting 3 ex-batts a week tomorrow I expect she is just confused it must be a huge adjustment for them and will probably settle down in a few days

[Donna C]

It really is a HUGE thing for them. They've had a hard life but it is the only life they've known.They all seem to have odd habbits but they do settle quickly with lots of tlc and patience. beleave me they are worth it Relax and enjoy. They'll replace the t.v in no time

[Trougher]

Thanks for the replies, folks, will see how today goes. Just found two eggs in the henhouse, so absolutely delighted that they are laying, not sure whether they would to start with. They don't seem to want to come out of the henhouse, but can't say I blame them, the weather is absolutely abysmal!

 

Lynne

[Jennifer Jane]

I'm so glad you've taken on ex-batts - they are very rewarding. Our first batch came with neatly manicured nails, but the second had longer claws, though not curly. We decided to leave them and they have worn down quite nicely. When you do clip them you need to be careful not to clip too far down (they have what is, I suppose, the equivalent of our quick, and it can bleed) but just taking the ends off should be fine.