2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[Gertie]

Hello Everyone

 

I'm collecting 3 ex battery hens on Sunday. I have a few questions about the best things to do to give them a comfortable start. They are going to be in the eglu by themselves and not near to my other hens. They will be on grass and I have a clear tarp to give them some shelter.

 

I have an eglu classic and I thought I read in another post about taking out the roosting bars - should I do this?

 

What about worming with flubenvet - straight away, or wait for a bit (if so, how long)?

 

Treating with mite powder/diatom - straight away or wait for a bit?

 

I have some herban - should I add this to the water? Would citricidal be better (or just water!)?

 

Would it be best to place the feeders/drinkers right outside the eglu incase they can't go far?

 

Thanks for your expertise

[scarlettohara]

I've had mine for 6 weeks now and was advised by Em on here (she is part of the rescue team for Northants) to take out the bars until they were stronger as their legs can be quite bruised. Mine are beginning to jump up steps now so the roosting bars are back in. I treated mine for lice and wormed after about 3 weeks (as I was worming all the girls). NAF lifeguard is the best thing for the water and rubbing arnica gel/cream on their legs helps with bruising, I also used purple spray on any red skin to stop them pecking each other. You will love them - every day they do something new and it's a joy to watch them

[Falkor]

Hi,

 

Yep, Sara is correct, I always remove perches from housing for any newbie exbatts I bring home.

 

Like Sara I use lifeguard in their water. I have never used herban so not sure of it's benefits.

 

Re the feeders are drinkers I would put them where you can reach them for easy of filling but also so you can get to them invade you need to entice them to eat/drink. I find squirting water (gently) from a height back into the drinker can get them interested in drinking and sprinkling their mash from a height can help too.

 

I always treat mine for creepy crawlies as soon as I get them home before they are put in the house. I have come away from rehoming days with a few red mite on me so the hens can have them.

 

Worming - I wait until they are settled and eating well before worming and even then they get done when the rest of my flock are due.

 

Hope that helps. If you have any other questions just holler.

 

Most importantly well done you for taking in some of these lovely ladies. They are so rewarding to have.

 

Enjoy!

[Gertie]

Hi Falkor and SOH

 

Thanks so much for your detailed assistance. I am looking forward to getting them home. I found another good site (as well as this one!) about caring for ex battery hens with lots more info which has helped prepare me.

 

Kind regards