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

[counturchickens]

So, been wondering for a while do ex batts go broody, had our first 2 for a year now and not been an issue. Also, seems lots of posts about noise in the mornings, no issues there either although they did make a racket when the 3 new ones arrived! We are quite new to this and haven't had any pure breeds. I can see the attraction as some are so beautiful, and different coloured eggs would be a novelty but with limited garden room can't help wanting some rescue hens. What does everyone out there think? For the record ours lay an egg every day or every other day, which is plenty!

[migsy]

I've got 3 ex batts and they seem to be fairly calm and docile compared to my other hybrids. I've not really noticed them make noise but I've only had them a couple of weeks so who knows. I've got a feeling that they will end up very friendly as they were under my feet today when I went into the run. I think pure breeds vary in temperament. I've got a Light Sussex who is friendly and calm but I have had a Cream Legbar and an Ancona who were absolutely lovely but very flighty (not at all noisy though). My Speckledy is the noisiest, the broodiest and the hardest to catch!

[Lavenders_Blue]

I've had my ex batts 18 months. In that time none of them have gone broody (touch wood!) and they have barely made any noise. Last summer they got a bit over excited first thing in the morning (ie 4.30am!) and honked a bit, but they don't seem to have been bothered about early morning singing this year (touch wood again!).

Mine are super friendly - they hate being handled but love snoozing on my knee, anything that's on their terms really, and even after 18 months they are still laying for England. I also secretly reckon they could win any beauty contest.

In my totally unbiased opinion, they are indeed the perfect hens!

[Mrs Potts]

I have three ex-battery hens and no broodiness or noise noted at all. They are lovely characters, all very different, and actually very loyal to each other. Our initial boss hen, Florence, died just before New Year and Hettie kind of took over, but I couldn't swear that we actually have a boss hen now. No one piles into the food or takes precedence of any kind - they all seem to come and go as they please now that Leia, who was bald underdog, has gone and feathered up and is now twice the size of everyone else. None of them like to be picked up, and if I do, one of the other two will give me a peck in protest! That said, they are very friendly and will sit with me if I am on the lawn and generally seem to like my company. We do a lot of chatting when I am able to spend time sitting with them.

I've always wanted a speckled hen but I suspect that if I ever have space for more, it will be more of these lovely ladies.

[mum-2-olly]

i would love a couple of ex bats but no idea how to get them, in leeds, west yorkshire.

[gongladosh]

i would love a couple of ex bats but no idea how to get them, in leeds, west yorkshire.

 

Try http://www.bhwt.org.uk/cms/contact-us/ - the BHWT tend to update this frequently.

 

York's probably the closest one to you.

[counturchickens]

Or try fresh start for hens, they seem to have plenty of collection points. I believe our last 3 came from a farm in leeds

[sage]

Hi

Had my ex batts girls for 12 months. No broodies, very quiet, they are friendly but only 1 will willingly be picked up. The down side for me is lack of eggs. I have only 1 left laying and get only 2 eggs a week on a good week. I'm hoping over time to get a mixed flock of 2 ex batts 2 hydrids and 2 posh birds.

 

Sage

[doctors girls]

i would love a couple of ex bats but no idea how to get them, in leeds, west yorkshire.

 

Try http://www.bhwt.org.uk/cms/contact-us/ - the BHWT tend to update this frequently.

 

York's probably the closest one to you.

i also live in leeds and gongladosh is right just contact them and they will tell you when the next collection date is i just missed out but could not wait so bought mine off a breeder in armley leeds i also think you have to register with the BHWT first