The Poultry Keeper

hilljo · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 25 Location: Suffolk

Hi. I'm due to pick up a couple of Battery Hens on Monday. Does anyone have any hints, tips, things to avoid. Laughing

NannyP · Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 12:06 am Post subject:

There's a whole load of info specifically for rescue hens here:
http://www.practicalpoultry.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=rescue

HelenP · Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Posts: 144 Location: GLOUCESTERSHIRE

i've read a few messages from people saying they've got ex battery hens - where do you get them from?

hilljo · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 25 Location: Suffolk

Hi Thanks for that web site Ill have a good read.
As for where I'm getting them from. try this link. I spoke to a really helpful lady in Norfolk bit there are several people around the country that rescue battery hens.

http://www.thehenshouse.co.uk/rescuecoordinators.html

mojo · Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 3:33 pm Post subject:

i humbly suggest that battery hens are not a good option for newbies.............. better to get a good few months keeping chickens before having them as they need LOTS of care and attention more so than normal hens...........mojo

hilljo · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 25 Location: Suffolk

Hi Mojo

Thanks for your concern and I understand where you are coming from. Too many people see animals as toys. In my defense I have been keeping animal great and small. well dogs, budgies, love birds,red rumps, fish, hamsters, rabbits anything anyone doesn't want. I used to take in all sorts of poor soles for our local animal shelter. my daughter is a zoologist.( no she doesn't work as a zoo keeper) She will be collecting them with me and be on hand to help.
I'm just not afraid to ask questions. I find you can never have to much information when it comes to looking after animals. We domesticated them so we should give them our best. And as all you nice people here are hands on chook keepers you may have a few little gems to give me. I'm not saying I'm an expert though.

Zooey · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 82 Location: East Sussex

A common sense suggestion Mojo, but we started with ex-batteries in very poor condition and they positively thrived Smile

mojo · Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 4:17 pm Post subject:

just my personal opinion as i think batties need lots of TLC and time and knowledge to reahabilate .......mojo........no critisim meant

hilljo · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 25 Location: Suffolk

Hi Mojo

No criticism taken at all. Very Happy

Sue B · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 383 Location: Lincolnshire

I started with battery hens and they do need a bit of TLC to start with but watching them turn into 'normal' chickens is just so rewarding.

They do have their beaks clipped so they can't share in snail shell smashing fun! (try saying that when you've had a few Confused

) when I relocate snails from my veggie plot to the chicken run. laughing6

I've also noticed they don't seem to get broody, which other forum members have told me is because this trait has been bred out of them.

madslg · Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 298 Location: Farnham

Hi,

i was lucky with my oven readies, they seemed quite physically fit if a little balding.

To be honest, they are only really starting to refeather now properly and they are finally looking like chickens as opposed to bernard matthews victims!

If you want to see piccies look in my gallery - sarah goulding