Grandmashazzie Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 I started off with10 ex batts.One died after about 6 months.Last week another withdrew from rest,sat hunched up and died after 2 daysThey were wormed 1 month ago and have spice,ACV,garlic etc.They are certainly eating far less than before,which I put down to only 1 or 2 laying.This morning another girlie has withdrawn,staying in coop.She took some mealworms and she is just eaten some tuna but noticed when she was out one of the bigger girls really had a go at her.I have never had bullying,just the odd peck.Is this because she is sick?The law of the jungle?I was geared up to expect some deaths as they must be about 3 years,but it's not pleasant to watch this pecking order business esp if due to sickness.I have left her I coop with others shut outside at present but does this cause more issues for her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 The others will sense that she's poorly and may peck her. I'm afraid that as ex-batts, they are coming to the end of their lives, so this decline is inevitable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Most commercial keepers replace between 12 and 18 months as that is when egg production starts to fall, and/or thin shelled eggs appear. As hybrids only usually live between 4-5 years, I've always calculated that I'm lucky if I get 12 months eggs from an ex-bat and that they live for another few months. Anything over is a bonus. I've had 10 ex-bats over the last four years and most have only lasted a maximum of 18 months to 2 years, with losses at 4 weeks and 4 months. I have 3 left who came to me 2 years ago, and although I only get the odd egg from them, they appear to be well. But I don't expect to have them this time next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted January 8, 2014 Author Share Posted January 8, 2014 On those statistics then I have been lucky to get 18 months without heartache.My wee sick one is clinging on I tried some nutri drops and have carried her to water but she is too weak.I wish she would just pass peacefully away,I can't see her lasting the night.The rest seem very robust with one thinner than rest.It probably was foolish to get 10 at once, I should have staggered them from different releases,but I didn't want any probs with intros. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Nearly 8 years of rehoming ex-batts/ex-barns and now ex-caged hens has taught me that the majority (but not all) usually survive a year to 18 months. I regard anything after that as a bonus for them. Some lucky ones go on longer in terrific health but they are the fortunate few. Of the 50 or so hens we've rehomed over the 8 years, we've had about about 4-5 who were lucky enough to have 2 years or more of retirement (we keep a detailed log of all of them but, sadly, it is at home and I am not). I have one gorgeous girl at the moment - No-tail - who is currently the record holder for the longest surviving ex-batt. She arrived 3 July 2011 and is still going strong and still laying occasionally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted January 8, 2014 Author Share Posted January 8, 2014 Sad isn't it.when they die it's hard to think of the positive,happy time they have in freedom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share Posted January 28, 2014 Oh dear now another sick one.As said she was thinner than the rest,then last week was quite puffed up,kept to herself when free ranging and sat on window sill blinking eyes,then closing eyes for a few seconds.Yesterday she was out looking happy enough and foraging about but when they came in for porridge she fell onto side.I picked her up and put her in nest box and she took a little porridge from bowl.I didn't expect her to last the night but out she came.At lunchtime when I checked she had fallen onto her side again with her head in puddle,she looked so pathetic and lonely.I gave her a cuddle and popped her back in box.She is still breathing weakly.I have nutri drops etc but feel if I start that I am only prolonging her suffering,I wish I had the strength mentally and physically to end her suffering.I presume this is just end of life for these girlies since they would have been vaccinated against all infectious diseases and it's just bad luck to lose three in a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 If you got them all at roughly the same time, then I'm afraid it's inevitable that they will die around the same time too. generally, if they are just fading, not obviously ill or in pain, then I let them get on with a dignified and gentle passing. If they are in pain, ill or suffering, then I will cull them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share Posted January 28, 2014 Oh thank you DM,they don't seem to be suffering just fade away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
