Battylady Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Hello! I was just wondering whether anyone has had an ex batt live more than 5 years since being rehomed? My Donna has now been with me for 5 years 4 months, and I was told that she was about 18 months when I got her, which would make her about 6 1/2 going on 7. She has a had a few ups and downs but seems to have had a second breath of life since we got her toy boy, cockerel Derek... he's done her a power of good! I've never had a single egg out of her (just a few shell-less ones when we first got her) but I love her to bits. How long is the longest anyone has had a an ex batt? Battylady Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Wow that is an amazing age, I have only had my girls for 10 months, If they last half as long as your girl I will be pleased x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kentuckyfried Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 I have one that must be coming up for that- she came to us in 2012, she had been out 2.5 years at that point, and was about 18 months then... She still lays though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Brilliant! Well done to you both How about a celebratory picture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Congratulations Donna I agree we definitely need a picture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Battylady Posted February 14, 2014 Author Share Posted February 14, 2014 Here's Donna, chillaxing with her toyboy, Derek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 She's lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Lovely picture, in the sunshine too, very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igobarefoot Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Lovely! Such an impressive age and they both look so happy together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Not as old as your girl, but my Bella came to me in October 2009 so I've had her 4 years and 4 months. Plus the 18-ish months in the battery farm makes her around 5 years 10 months. She's still looking in amazing health too. She's not laying at the moment, but I said that last year - whereupon she promptly started laying again I don't care if she never lays me another egg again, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if she does decide to pop a few out this summer! Here she is enjoying the sunshine last summer (anyone remember that? ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Millies Chicken Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 My Brunhilda is not as old as your beautiful chooks. But she did celebrate today as it was her 3rd anniversary of being out of the cages. It was extra treats all round for everyone . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LottyJ1 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 That is very good going bless her. It has help her live so long the fact that she isn't laying. Its less strain on her body. She is beautiful. I have never had one live past 2.5 years free but I know someone who has one that is also 6 years free this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 My Zoe came out of the cage having broken a wing which set badly, so she's a bit disabled but she's never shown any signs of pain and is a very happy girl. She's been cage free for 2 years 6 months. She has also not laid for years (had a few eggs early on, and a few softies now and then). Before Zoe, the longest cage free girl I had was Barbara who died 2 years before her 2nd cage free anniversary. 6 years cage free is a phenomenal achievement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Donna is a stunning colour! She looks like she has a way to go yet Donna is a pretty girl too. I'm so really. If only OH would let me have scratchers. Maybe one day Would ex-bats get on with silkies and polands do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I've only had ex-batts, and a few hybrids from a local supplier. In my experience ex batts can be rather nasty when being introduced to other hens, although when they first come out of the cages they tend to be so bewildered that they don't act up too much! So if you got some batties, I think you would need to be careful about introducing any future silkies and polands. On the other hand, once they have settled in and established the pecking order, I don't think you could wish for a more docile bird (don't forget they need to be docile to cope with life in the cages ). You would just need to be extremely careful with introductions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Oh so tempted. Now I just need to convince OH. Mixing new breeds wouldn't be a problem because I'd make the ex-bats my last lot ... hmm thinks . . . might get round OH by saying that a pair of ex-bats would put an end to my constant morehens rash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I lost my old girl on Dec 28th. free 5 years on Dec 6th.. She was severely disabled and never walked.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Sandy- I'm so sorry. Your care of her was amazing. What a lucky girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
