Eglu Go With 2m Run For Sale

[Dolly]

I finally plucked up courage to broach the subject of rescuing some battery hens with my husband (bearing in mind that he's fully aware of how much our 3 cost to keep in the manner to which they've become accustomed! ) and......

 

he said YES!

 

So after our summer holiday in July, we'll hopefully be taking the plunge, however I have a couple of questions if anyone can help...

 

1. I will be doing my research fully beforehand so are there any recommended books or websites on the subject?

2. They will be in a separate Eglu and run from my other girls - will they manage in this ie. getting in and out, negotiating roosting bars / nest box etc?

3. Will they eventually be okay to integrate with our existing 3? After the appropriate segregation time and then slow introductions

 

Being a total softy and this being our first time, it's highly likely I will make a show of myself when collecting them by balling my eyes out - having seen the pictures, they look so forlorn and unloved. I don't know how this is allowed to continue, even with the so-called 'enriched' cages, but that's for another day

 

Any advice gratefully received!

[ohcarolina]

Hi Dolly

 

All I can say is you won't regret taking on some ex-commercial hens. They have the most wonderful personalities and are forever grateful. I have some myself and they've laid all winter and I just love them to bits.

 

There are lots of people on here with lots of advice and lots of hen rescue organisations too. I volunteer with Fresh Start For Hens who have a Facebook page if you are interested. There's lots of info on there and we'll post the rehome dates too.

 

Good luck

 

Caroline

[counturchickens]

Hi dolly,

We started out with ex batts, ours live in a cube. They've always chosen to sleep in the nest box rather than roost so I have half bars and half straw. We subsequently bought some pol hens and they all mooch round together now, so after a period of time I'm sure they'll be fine together. Our ex batts have been so much fun, you will love yours!

[LottyJ1]

Hello,

 

The BHWT also have a facebook page and are always answering peoples questions and there is an ex-battery forum too.

 

They will choose to sleep in the nest box to start as counturchickens said some will then never change where as some will learn to roost. The enriched cages do have a perch now and a nest box but some will never get the chance to use either due to bullying. If you have a ladder they may need some help to start but they will get the hand of it and will need putting to bed for a night or two but again they will pick it all up very quickly.

 

With slow introductions they will be fine with your existing hens - I mix ex-batts and posh birds no problem.

 

Good luck

[Cheeky Chooky]

Join the Ex Battery Hens Forum if you haven't already...it's fab