Chicken shack Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I have 3 girls in a 4 metre run and cube and am thinking about rehoming 2 or 3 ex-batts. I am quite a new chicken mummy and not sure if they will be able to cope with the ladder My other concern is what can I use in the temporary run as the house/bed room that will keep them warm at night untill I am able to inroduce them to the others in the cube Or do you think I will be taking on too much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 Hi, it can take some time for ex batts to gain enough strength to cope with the cube ladder - and to cope with introductions to an existing flock too - and you really need to have some proper alternative accommodation for them for however long it takes. I am on my second batch of ex batts at the moment, having got them mid - December, and tbh I don't think they will be ready to meet my other hens for a while yet. I had the first lot for 3 months before introductions. Much depends on how bad a state they are in when they are rescued, but they will be fairly weak. It might be an idea to speak to your local BHWT co-ordinator and ask for their advice. I hope you will get some of these lovely girls soon - it is wonderful to see their transformation into real chickens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I don't think you're taking on too much, but ex-batts can be in a shockingly poor state initially (they soon recover and become proper cheeky chooks ) My ex-batts have always been in the with the run from the start and have all managed the ladder, once they've figured out how to use it. I introduced my fourth batch just before xmas and I have always used totally separate accommodation on arrival. I used to use , but then acquired without a run, so the newbies get to themselves until they're integrated and currrent residents go in . Introduction times can vary a lot depending on your current hens' willingness to accept the newbies and what state they are in. I've only ever had ex-batts/barns and have so far been lucky and my intro's have always gone really well, with a lot of shouting and a bit of squabbling, but very little actual violence. To a certain extent, it's "suck it and see" and standby with a water pistol, and a willingness to separate them again if necessary. Do have a chat with BHWT, they are very approachable and all of mine have come through them. As Tweety says ex-batts/barns are lovely girls who absolutely thrive with just a little tlc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
