cavysqueak Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 (edited) I'm really excited as we've only got three days to wait until we go to collect three ex-battery hens. We've only had POL hybrids before, so it'll all be new. Our is now set up at the opposite end of the 'chicken part' of the garden, looking sad and lonely waiting to be filled! We've bought 'fake' eggs to go in the nest so they know where to lay and ex-battery crumbs for them to chomp on. I'm sure I've got loads of questions, but one thing keeps niggling at me - should we add the usual things - poultry spice, garlic, Diatom powder - to the crumbs straight away? Or will this put them off, or even be too much for their digestive systems? Thanks. Edited October 3, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 How exciting, ex batts are amazing!! Personally (and everyone is different) I have never added supplements straight away, everything is so new to them that the mash is probably one of the only familiar things so I wait a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 I just added poultry spice. Looks like you will have some nice weather for watching them in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 I wouldn't bother adding anything to the crumb to be honest, as it already contains added goodies to build them up. When I got my ex batts they had just the crumb and no supplements, and they did very very well on it. I do think it's an excellent feed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 Bet you wish time would hurry up. Sounds like you are all prepared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 We're getting 3 on Saturday too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 I was advised to take the bars out of the eglu to begin with. I just fed them the ex bat food to start with and then after about a month started to introduce pellets as I prefer those. I didn't give treats for a while either so that they ate the food that was full of goodness to get them back to health. They don't know what to do with treats which is rather odd when you are used to chooks who get very excited at the sight of the treat dish Good luck I am sure you will love your ex batts. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 How are your new girls? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Where are the photos? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Could three days be Sunday not Saturday? Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 I couldn't get any mash so my ex batts ate pellets straight away. No prob! I didn't add anything to their diet and it did take them a few days to realise that they could scratch for bugs and eat the corn I threw. They are now the cheekiest, friendliest hens I have. The progress they have made is truly amazing. Enjoy them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavysqueak Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 They are here! Yes, sorry the collection date was Sunday. So they've had one night in the Eglu. We were woken up by battling cats at 5am, then by the new girls at 6:10am. We had an egg at the door when I went to get them up, so maybe it was an egg laying call? We've never had that from the other girls, so that's new as well! We've also had one egg in the nest amongst the fake eggs. Clever ladies! Introducing Betsie, Doris and Rosa. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150309202251091.336597.659756090&l=0347465efd&type=1 It should be the link for even if you're not on Facebook. They found the food and water really quickly and have also started to scratch around - it was really funny to watch Doris realise that it was quicker to use her foot, rather than her beak! Also they keep looking at the bottom of their feet as it must feel strange to them! One question - last night I had to crawl into the Eglu run to 'help' them into the Eglu, we had a torch in there, but they had no idea (understandibly) of where to go. It wasn't a nice calm way to go to bed, so has anyone any ideas as to how we can encourage them in, rather than having to push them through the door? If we take them out and put them through the egg port will they not know how to get in themselves on other nights? Any advice, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Bless them, what a sorry state they look. Good for you for giving them a happy life! I wouldnt worry too much about the bedime situation. Mine had to be helped to bed to begin with but give it a few days and they will soon get the hang of things, they are pretty smart these exbatts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Well done It makes you want to cry when you see those photos, How can anybody keep any living thing like that They look as if they have settled in already. ..Of course a few weeks from now and you won't be able to recognise them.. Congratulations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Bless 'em. They will get the hang of going to bed soon. Ours worked it out on the second night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Awww, they are beautiful. They will change so quickly, both in looks and in character. Best of luck with your new girls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Fantastic pics , They are gorgeous and the one with the bald neck looks just like my ex batt Lily. We got ours about 7 weeks ago now and you would not believe the change in them, Lily now has a proper feathery neck and yours will soon pick up too. I spend ages just gazing at mine, they get so excited about everything and the joy on the face of my Rose when she caught her first crane fly at the weekend just made my year!!! Good luck with your girls, they are very lucky to have such a nice home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavysqueak Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 Bless 'em. They will get the hang of going to bed soon. Ours worked it out on the second night. That's funny - they almost got the hang of it tonight ... after some pitiful calling Doris and Rosa put themselves into bed, but Betsie didn't want to until she saw me crawling towards her on my tummy. Then she decided that going into the Eglu with the other two was preferable to staying in the run with me! Thanks for your lovely comments. We can't wait for them to feel a bit more confident with their new surroundings. I'll put this question on the craft forum as well, but does anyone know where I could get a crochet pattern for the chicken jumper I've seen before? So I have time to try them out before the cold weather hits! I can't knit, but if you know where the knitting pattern is I can probably try to make the same shape with crochet stitches (hopefully!). Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Knitting Pattern from Little Hen Rescue. Although I think a lot of people on here don't recommend using hen jumpers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine-chick Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Just wanted to say .. its lovely to see your new girls. Its great that some more ex-bats have got their freedom Doris and Rosa remind me of my 2 new ex-bats ( they've been with me since July). It took about 4 weeks to integrate them fully with my original 2 girls, but now they all get on well. They are so funny, and their new found freedom gives them an excitableness that makes my 2 originals seem very laid back You may find that they do not get all of their feathers back, but on the other hand they might end up looking like show birds. I say this because out of my original 2 ( I did start off with 3 but sadly Edna passed away in June) Valerie looks like she has never seen a battery cage in her life, her feathers grew back beautifully, but Gertrude has never grown new feathers on her face or tail or bottom !!! But I love them all the more for their quirkiness and brilliant personalities. You will have so much fun watching them discover the joys of freedom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
