The Poultry Keeper

sasha.p · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 429 Location: gwent

we are expecting some ex batts soon and we are going to make them a whole new run all to theirselves we have a great garden shed we are going to convert this weekend but i was just wondering as these birds are used to being caged will they bother with perches should we make a ladder to lead up to them and also into nest boxs ? is there anything i can add to the house to make them feel more comfortable on their arrival.i get all the layers mash business but will they ever convert over to layers pellets?any suggestions are welcome Very Happy

crazypianolady · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 102 Location: Nottinghamshire

I'm waiting to hear from BHWT about collecting three oven readies! Have a look on their web site, they've got lots of information about caring for your ladies as they convalesce. Smile

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1220 Location: Midlands

minstrelmerrymaker · Joined: 08 Mar 2008 Posts: 69 Location: ISLE OF WIGHT

Hi i have done several battery rescues, initially you wont need a perch as they wont use it anyway, they will all huddle usually in one of the corners of the shed, they also wont know how to use a nest box at first, and will tend to lay all over the place,dont forget they have never seen an egg, as it rolls away as soon as its laid in the battery houses, they will catch on quite quickly to lay in a designated place, i use plastic cat carriers for nest boxes and just put them on the floor with a couple of plastic eggs in there so that they get the idea, they are also very hygeinic as they are easy to clean.
As for food they are used to mash, which you can either just keep using or if you intend to change to pellets, i buy one bag use half of it then with the other half integrate pellets in, it doesnt take long for them to get used to different food.
The first day they will be very well behaved then usually you will get a little bullying once they find their feet, they are just sorting out the pecking order and this is quite normal!
Good luck, i love my ex batts they are very rewarding and will give you hours of fun!

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 57 Location: Cornwall

I've had ex batts several times,I've had no problems with them learning to use the perch. I lift them up onto the perch at night and if they're not down in the morning lift them down, after a couple of nights they are all up on the perch.

They're legs are weak when you first get them, but they soon learn how to perch and scratch. I usually put mine on corn because they're usually moulting anyway, which is why the egg companies get rid of them because they're going off lay. Then after a month of rest gradually put them back on layers pellets so when they've finished moulting they're ready to start laying again. I put down crushed oyster shell for them too.

Had one ex batt hen who lived to be 16. She laid one egg a year for the last couple of years of her life. But what a life she had! Bless her.

sasha.p · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 429 Location: gwent

i am very excited about it all as we were undecided for so long about getting them then the niggling thought just kept coming back we rear our own for egg and food purposes but it is like our turkeys they were meant for the table but they are my favourites and come for a walk around our woods with us!!i have always had a soft spot for rescue animals and if we are able t give them a good retirement home then an egg a year will more than make me happy Laughing

thanks for the advice

Scoop · Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 15 Location: Somerset

Just to say I picked up four ex-bats just over a week ago and it's incredible how quickly their instincts kick-in for foraging and generally turning their grassed run into a mud bath!
They couldn't manage a ladder into the hen house so we've constructed a DIY ramp at a more gentle angle. They also didn't have a clue about roosting times. After lifting them in and out of the house a couple of evenings/mornings, they soon got the hang of it and were in a routine within a matter of days.
Eggs were also being laid in the nest boxes within a couple of days rather than liberally around the run thanks to the use of some plastic eggs to give them a hint!
They still prefer to bed down in the boxes rather than on the perches, but at least they're not all trying to cram into the same box now!
I tried feeding them natural yoghurt mixed with mash on the second day and they absolutely ignored it until they saw me sprinkling mash on the top. Now they recognise it as food there's no stopping them . . . dried mealworms are also a welcome treat!
You'll find them very rewarding with wonderful, outgoing characters. I wish I had space for more!

CP · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 11:52 am Post subject:

Aww, lovely to hear how well they adapt to a normal life. Very Happy