Ex-Battery Chickens - a worrying time ?

[Indigo.Purple]

Eggs were not my priority when looking at ex-batts so it was not something i either researched or asked about to be honest. Other than knowing that their production had dropped from one a day and this was the reason for them being sent for slaughter.

I did expect to have eggs though and it was only when I had a good google did I find that the truth is they may never lay. While I would not consider myself to be mislead it was something of which I was not aware.

As it is, it matters little, I think they are fab pets and after not even two weeks I think they are amazing x

I do wonder though how many people re-home ex batts expecting eggs.

[wendy]

Well they are called 'spent' hens which is pretty descriptive of them.
I have 9 hens and I am getting 2 a day at the moment. But I give them away anyway.
Mind you Dave [the dog] had 6 yesterday, scrambled, as he had just returned from an op.

Wendy

[LouiseAS]

I had wanted chickens for years but it only became possible last year. I researched for 3 months before putting my name on a waiting list.

We made a mistake by not having a static run and as a result lost all our grass but we learned by our mistake and will put that right next year. They are hard work and owning 3 dogs too I spend most of my life poop scooping.

I have been approached by 3 people in our road who love our girls and want to keep their own. I've made a point of giving them the disadvantages as well as telling them how pleasurable it is owning them.

I consider taking on an ex-batt as much of a committment as when I took on my rescue dogs and I am one of these people who adapt their life around their animals. Some would call me sad but I think it's only right as they are reliant on me for their care.

[wendy]

Not sad Louise, Bang on I would say.
Once you make a commitment you should stick by it.
Wendy

[crystalj]

I couldn't have put it better myself Louise well said.
Sorry for hyjacking the thread.......
How's Dave today Wendy

[wendy]

His normal self, trying to beat Josie up if i let him. Doesn't even know he has had it done. They will not be on the mantel shelf in resin though
Wendy

[bluebell]

Well said, Louise

[crystalj]

Lol Wendy, you mean like somebody elses mantel lol.

[p.penn]

Ha ha ha Wendy! Why not? Would they clash with the curtains then?

[wendy]

Sounds like de ja vue...don't even go there. We will have the other Dave on soon.
Wendy

[felixstowe]

I had one chicken that I inherited at Christmas. Never having had chickens before I joined this site and got loads of information but alot of people were saying that they were flock birds and I shouldn't have just the one. I thought by Chicken looked and acted really happy but what did I know soooo I applied for an ex battery chicken. They wouldn't let me have just the one so I had two. Got them home and introduced them to Lucky (my original hen) Not straight away, kept them in the hen house for a while and then let them mix. It was awful!!!! Poor poor Lucky!! She was bullied so much I found it really distressing, but I had to let them get on with it. Pecking order and all that. Now it is the other way round. The worm had turned!!!! Lucky is now the bully and I feel really sorry for the other ones. I am pleased I 'rescued' the ex batts as I can't imagine what life they must have endured before they came to me but I sometimes find myself thinking was Lucky happier on her own?? Ahh well I've only had them two weeks so hopefully things will settle down. No eggs off the ex batts yet but I couldn't care less if they never lay eggs again. If they have a nicer life now and are happy with me and Lucky (eventually!!!) who can ask for anything more Cheers Pat xx

[wendy]

Hi Pat,
Well done for giving a life to some little battery hens.
Although she may have seemed happy, she is now behaving like a chicken and part of that is getting pecked and pecking back. It is all part of their behaviour I am afraid and now they are exhibiting it as chickens, free and ex battery ones do.
It will settle down I can assure you.
Wendy