Shelle Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 (edited) Hello I got my 3 lovely ex-batts a little over a year ago and have been fighting morehens disease ever since. Now all 3 of my girls have stopped laying completely so it seems like a good time to give in and get two more hens to join them. I’ve looked up the advice given on this forum about introducing new hens and I think I'm ready to attempt it. I’d like to get some point of lay hens rather than more ex-batts on this occasion. Can anyone recommend a breed which is good for laying and mixing with ex-batts ? Thanks Shelle x Edited July 17, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Ex-bats are quite big, so a hybrid will be best (as they are fairly big, and lay a lot of eggs ). The ones I would recommend are: Sussex hybrid Rhode/Black Rock Bluebelle Suffolk Pied (these are what I have, and they lay every day!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 I'd add Speckledy to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Ex batts are all sociable hens & will get on with pretty well any others . Mine shared happily with my bantams, faverolle and araucana. In fact can't imagine a hen an ex batt wouldn't get on with. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelle Posted July 13, 2011 Author Share Posted July 13, 2011 Thanks all for your replies I'm going to go to one of my local 'poultry centres' later today to see what they have and will keep all of your suggestions in mind while I'm there. I'm so excited I wonder what I'll come back with..... Shelle x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelle Posted July 13, 2011 Author Share Posted July 13, 2011 I've got two beautiful new hens In the end I chose a Bovans Nera and just couldn't resist a Skyline/Columbine. They're such pretty birds! They seem to be settling in well & have already been showing off their jumping skills (I hope that's not a bad thing). I never knew hens could jump so high! My ex batts caught a glimpse of the newbies and seemed a bit scared of them, I hope this will pass as the introduction phase progresses. Now we just need to think of names for them...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 , congrats, looking forward to photos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelle Posted July 13, 2011 Author Share Posted July 13, 2011 Thanks I tried to take a photo earlier but hadn't charged the camera battery I'll wait until they're a bit more settled so I can get a nice one. Then I can have a fun time trying to figure out how to post it - I'm still a little new to all this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=21972 this should help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 look forward to seeing the piccies my ex batts live with lohman browns amberlinks and hy-line (rescued from ex FR farm) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelle Posted July 16, 2011 Author Share Posted July 16, 2011 Introducing my newbies Cherokee (Cherry) and Zebedee (Zeb)...... Zeb (Bovans Nera) and Cherry (Skyline) Cherry Cherry Zeb Photos as promised. Introduced them to our ex-batts this morning and after a little squabbling they've been having a nice sunbathe together (in between rain showers). Their not the best of friends yet but introductions seem to be going ok so far I think Shelle x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Beautiful new girls! I especially love the Skyline pom-pom hairdo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Lovely photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennym Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Oh, they are lovely. I would love a hen with a nice pouffy hairdo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auntielizzie Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Wow, that's a fantastic photo of Cherry Lovely chickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelle Posted July 17, 2011 Author Share Posted July 17, 2011 Thanks All. I couldn't resist getting Cherry when I saw her hair do - I think she's beautiful. I wasn't convinced she was a hybrid at first, despite her being in the shed called 'Hybrids'. I just never knew hybrids came with fancy feathers like that. I've been learning so much more about chickens these last few days. Apparently Cherry will lay pale blue eggs so I'm even more exited about the first egg now. Have to be patient though as it will be a few weeks yet. They're both still extremely nervous of me & my bf. Is this normal ? Is there anything we do anything to make them feel more comfortable around us or will this just come with time ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Skylines do lay blue eggs To get them less nervous of you, put treats in between you and them, and make them gradually closer to you, then eventually (about 1 week), they should be eating out of your hand . Just spending time near them will get them used to your and more tame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Ahhhhhhh just gorgeous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 They really are beautiful, love Cherrys hair do as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
