Omlet cube and run

[Nelmel]

Hello, on Saturday I will be picking up 3 rescue hens and I can't wait. So far I have bought and cleaned an eglu off ebay. The run is all set up and secure. I've reinforced the outside with rocks just in case. I have ex battery crumbs for first few weeks and then ex battery hen pellets there on in. I have bought some bedding and red mite dust. Am i on track so far? Is the idea to get them out of the eglu during the day within their run and put them to bed initially? I am assuming they will need guidance for a few days? (When might they start going in by themselves?) When can they start having treats? When can they start having grit? I'm very paranoid about them freeranging since a few summers ago a fox walked into a packed bbq I was having and literally stole a sausage off my plate! I bought an extended run but will attempt free ranging if Im in the garden only - just need to build up to it. Does anyone not freerange? Any advice is appreciated. Pics will follow!

[counturchickens]

Hi nelmel,

 

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you've got things right. I've got a cube, and fingers crossed never had red mite. As they're ex batts they will be fine in the run, but seeing them free range is a joy, I would leave it a couple of weeks until they settle down. They probably won't recognise treats at first, but you can try them on dried mealworms, I think the extra protein helps. We've ended up with a few extra bits and pieces over the years like apple cider vinegar and poultry spice, but they're not essential. They might go into the house on their own, or you might need to give them a hand, either way they'll work it out in a day or two. Good luck, you'll find lots of help and support on here!

[LottyJ1]

Yep it wont take long for them to go to bed themselves - some only take being showed once others a few more times.

 

Some people don't FR their hens at all due to safety and some only when there in the garden. I only let mine out when I'm in the garden.

 

Sounds like you are very well prepared! Good luck.

[Chortle Chook]

Well done Nelmel for your ex-bats I'm sure you are going to really enjoy them. It sounds like you have all you need for day one Don't forget that Omlet shop, and other chicken providing shops are around all the time in case you think of something else you might need. I found apple cider vinegar to be an excellent pick me up when I used it on my hens during their moult in the autumn of last year but you don't need it immediately.

[Nelmel]

Thank you very much counturchickens, LottyJ1 and Shabby Chic. I'm open to all advice! Brilliant forum - I have been reading it for a while, well before I decided to get my own chickens - as a way of seeing if it was right for me.

[Space Chick]

You are doing all the right things, and well done on getting ex batts

 

I always keep ex batts in my flock.

 

A few comments if I may....

 

Is your Eglu run on grass? If so I would peg the run down rather than use rocks.... The skirt of the Eglu is to out fox the fox for burrowing, so by putting rocks on the skirt to wait it down, you are actually helping Mr Fox!

 

They won't know treats for a little while, but trying them on some mealworms will do them the power of good.... Live ones if you can stomach it as they will be tempted to eat them by the movement. Mealworms are very high in protein so will also help them with the re-feathering!

 

Expect to cry.... The first time I saw an ex batt scratch around like a chicken should I sobbed with tears of joy!

 

My current ex batts are incredible characters, but sadly they stopped laying very soon after arriving... Not that I mind, as my purpose was to give them a good life, and I have enough eggs off the rest of the flock. So don't be surprised if eggs stop quickly! Some people have been 'lucky' others have not (my first lot of ex batts were great layers), my current ex batts have been cage free now for longer than they were in the cage

 

As for free ranging, this is something only you can decide. My girls are in 2 Walk in Runs whilst we are in work,must free range when we are home (even if we aren't outside), we know it's a risk, but it's a calculated one and I know my girls do enjoy it when they get extra freedom

 

Enjoy them, and have fun