Single hen

[Guest]

We're picking up 3 ex batts on sunday but we wanted 4 but they don't have enough so we thought we'd also buy a hen from a breeder.

 

what breed are battery chickens or does it vary?

 

I'd like something docile that won't bully (or will be less likely to bully the ex batt girls).

 

do you think it will be okay to put them all in together at the same time?

 

does anyone know a good breeder in cheshire?

 

how much are bred chickens likely to cost?

[Snowy]

Batery hens are usually a standard RIR/sussex cross so look for something like the gingernut ranger from omlet, meadowsweet ranger, isa brown that type of thing. A hybrid at point of lay will be about £10 - £12. Your ex batts will obviously be much older, so you may find they would all pick on a lone youngster That's only my thought though - what do other think?

[Guest]

Batery hens are usually a standard RIR/sussex cross so look for something like the gingernut ranger from omlet, meadowsweet ranger, isa brown that type of thing. A hybrid at point of lay will be about £10 - £12. Your ex batts will obviously be much older, so you may find they would all pick on a lone youngster That's only my thought though - what do other think?

 

what if we bought 2 chickens then? DH said he's putting his foot down at 5!

 

we would prefer 4 altogether I think but could stretch to 5 if it makes it less likely there will be trouble in the coop

[Snowy]

That might be better. And definitely better to put them all in at the same time. What about going for a different type of hybrid? They are all pretty laid back - I love my pepperpots/black chooks. I'm sure there's a few places in Cheshire I've seen mentioned, but didn't take much notice as not local enough for me!

[Guest]

i found a breeder near me, these are the hens they breed, which one do you think I should get?

 

http://www.gardenpoultry.cwc.net/breeds.htm

 

I like the snow white one, I like the idea of having some white eggs and they seem to lay a lot of them!

 

I really don't know what to do for the best.

[Cinnamon]

 

what if we bought 2 chickens then?

 

I like your train of thought there Poet

 

The white hens that lay white eggs are wonderful. I have one & her eggs are just beautiful & massive too

They can be a bit flighty though.

The Blue comet (Blue Belle) is a gorgeous hen, very placid & quite large.I would certainly recommend one of those for you.

It would be good to get a couple of Hybrids too, as your ex-batts will probably not have much more laying in them, so this way you would get a more reliable source of eggs.

[Guest]

so, 2 blue comets then?

 

do you think a black comet and a blue comet would be okay?

[The Dogmother]

Like Sarah says, Bluebells are very placid, a friend has some and they're so cuddly. White hens are totally mad - gorgeous, but mad!

[Guest]

cool, have mailed the breeder and asked if they have 2 blue comets available- I'll let you know!

[lozkate]

We have 4 birds - 2 sussex, 1 Maran and 1 Bluebell which arrived last weekend (thanks for everyones help when I was having second thoughts about the chicken idea!). I have to say my favourite is the Bluebell - she is gorgeous and she only arrived as a replacement for our first choice of a Black rock, maybe we should have got 2!

 

Kate

[Cinnamon]

That sounds like a nice addition to your flock.

The white ones are really gorgeous too, so worth considering if he doesn't have 2 Blues.

Like Claret says, they are gorgeous, but mad

My Lily is my favourite hen, she is terribly cheeky & has twice as much character as the others, so I forgive her for being a bit of a nut case

[Guest]

they don't have any blue comets but have "lots of other hybrids" so we're going on Sunday to see what they have. What we'll probably do is go and get the ex batts, install them in their new home then pop to the breeder and see what they have.

 

Therefore they won't all go in at exactly the same time but certainly on the same day.

 

What do you think?

[Cinnamon]

I think that would be fine.

There may be a small squabble, but nothing to worry about.

Chuck some corn in to keep them occupied.

 

Its best to go & have a look & see what takes your fancy.

We had no intention of getting a Whitestar but Lily was so sweet (she came right up to my Husband, or Pansy the Rhode Star who apparantly winked at him

[The Dogmother]

If you can, I'd recommend putting them all in at the same time - I tried your suggestion once, and in just a couple of hours, the first ones had established their territory and wre ready to defend it.

 

Remember that ex-batteries won't have many 'hen habits' straight after rescue, and may be weak and vulnerable (depending on the farm they came from). They may also be carrying a virus or lice (as may the other new chickens). I'd advise that you keep a close eye on them all, worm and check for lice as soon as you can.

 

When I'm introducing newbies to my flock, I always keep them seperate for a while, to help with the introduction and also to watch for any signs of illness.

[Guest]

hmmm, maybe we should just stick to the 3 ex batts then, for the time being?

[Cinnamon]

 

When I'm introducing newbies to my flock, I always keep them seperate for a while, to help with the introduction and also to watch for any signs of illness.

 

Actually, thats really good advice, & some I wished I had followed a couple of weeks ago.

Would have saved a fair bit of heartache (& petrol)

 

[Snowy]

The voice of reason from Claret!

She is right though - maybe worth letting the ex batts settle in first and regain their strength. Waiting another week or so won't harm - you could always visit garden poultry anyway and reserve your birds! It is worth visiting before making your mind up - I changed my mind when we got to one breeders as Bella the Campine chose us rather than the other way round! Either way, have fun!

[The Dogmother]

The voice of reason from Claret!

 

Moi?

That'll be a first

[Guest]

right, I think what we'll do is collect the ex batt girls, install them and check them over etc then leave them to setlle in for an hour or two while we go the breeders and have a look. If the ex batts look a bit fragile we won't get any more birds for now. If they look healthy/robust enough we might get another cple.

 

 

Sound like a plan?

[Martin B]

Please bear (rarggh) in mind that the battery hens will be very shy, shocked and in bad condition. Introducing a boysterous (sp?) young POL hen might not be the best thing to do. Think it through wisely and don't ask the breeder about mixing with batts because there are some breeders who will do anything to sell to you.

[Guest]

Please bear (rarggh) in mind that the battery hens will be very shy, shocked and in bad condition. Introducing a boysterous (sp?) young POL hen might not be the best thing to do. Think it through wisely and don't ask the breeder about mixing with batts because there are some breeders who will do anything to sell to you.

 

yes, thank you, I am thinking it through wisely, hence all the questions

 

By the way, the breeder is on the wiki omlet list of breeders so one would hope that omlet would not have anything to do with a breeder who "will do anything to sell to you".

[The Dogmother]

The Omlet list of breeders includes only those recommended by Omleteers, so they are fine. Barbara likes to have feedback from people who've used new outlets, or just comments about existing entries on the list, as it helps her to keep the list current.

 

You can email your comments to barbara@omlet.co.uk

[Martin B]

I don't want to sound negative but just be careful. You are doing a really good job so far. Also one more tip don't buy on impulse, check the bird out first.

[Christian]

Also its worth pointing out that anyone can update the Wiki.

 

Good luck with your new girls Poet.

 

[Martin B]

I was going to mention that, but thought somebody would come along and bite my head off. At least they will bite yours first!