The Poultry Keeper

Jayne · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Truro, Cornwall

Hi. After reading a newspaper article about a local animal santuary taking in ex-battery hens and requesting more people to take some in, I've agreed to take 3.

I'm going to convert my old dog run which is 6ft x 8ft and 6ft high. I will build a house to the side of this. Can you tell me if this is okay for 3 hens, or whether I will be able to squeeze in a couple more to save them from slaughter?

I've been reading up on a lot of your postings picking up lots of helpful advice. The site is great.

I now have less than two weeks to set up the run and build a house before the hens arrive. Can't wait!

Any advice greatly appreciated! Smile

jreeve · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 91 Location: North Wales

You could easily have 6 hens i would think. Although we do free range ours most of the time, so im not sure how your ground would get with 6 on it permanently. We have had ex batts in the past and just got 6 new ones last week - they are fantastic, well worth it. If you have any questions, i would be happy to try and answer them! Smile

Jayne · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Truro, Cornwall

Thanks for your reply. I would love to let mine free range, and may well do when they're settled and I'm around to watch them, but we have a cat as do most other houses around our way, and I'd be afraid they would end up as dinner! We have a springer spaniel too, but he's a big softie and don't think he'd hurt a fly - he's certainly happy with the tortoises and hamster around!

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7368 Location: isle of lewis

cats arn't normally a problem i have 5 ,the smallest bird i have wondering around is a little dutch ,the cats catch mice ,but the hens steal them off them Laughing

jreeve · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 91 Location: North Wales

Hiya,

I wouldnt worry too much about cats. If your own is particularly fierce, you could try spraying him with the hose when he goes near their pen. Just let them settle for 2 weeks (although ours were semi free ranging in the front garden from day 2!), and then once they are out they will be perfectly fine. Our cats dont bat an eyelid, and the chickens chase off the dogs and attack the puppy! .. I would think "normal" chickens would be far more at risk from cats and dogs, but battery hens have never had them to fear or worry about, so simply attack them!

Good luck Smile

Jen

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1188 Location: Cornwall

I'd say 6 to 8 hens in that run, if they're going to free range once they're settled in then get as many as your hen house will hold. Remember ex batts are used to being squished up together, so you can normally get more in a house than normal reared chicken.

strangey · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 71 Location: Cumbria

NannyP · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:10 pm Post subject:

it would be a shame to squash them, and I can see Pekinouts point, especially if they will be free ranging during the day.

I find that no matter how much room you give them, they all squash together, on top, under winds etc, all up one end of the roost, and all in the same nest box Laughing

I am sure they'll be very happy, and more than 3 would be lovely.

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1188 Location: Cornwall

Thats what I meant exactly NannyP. Ex batts aren't the same as other chicken, they seem to like to squish up together, its what they're used to.

Jayne · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Truro, Cornwall

Thank you very much for all your replies - I've now asked for 6 hens!

I've just been pricing up layers mash and pellets. Apart from scraps from the kitchen is there anything else I should be feeding them?

I've also looked at wormer/flea treatments - they're quite expensive! Any recommendations on which ones to go for?

NannyP · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:14 am Post subject:

Mash for starters, especially if this is what they've been eating, and if their beaks have been clipped.

You could add Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) 2% to their water, week on/week off. ACV can be found in the Horse part of your local agricultural shop. It si used by many as a tonic for poultry.

Otherwise, I am sure they'll thrive on fresh air and green plnats and grass, oh and once they learn, bugs and slugs etc.
Very Happy

Teasal · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:57 pm Post subject:

Both batches of ex batteries I have had, obviously did not know what a perch was when they arrived - and they were quite happy to stand crowded together in the corner of a large hen hut. This went on for weeks, until gradually they got the strength to fly on to the perch. I think they felt more secure all being together and thats all they were used to.

Even now, months later, one or two still lurk inside a lot more than my non battery hens, but seem happy enough. It took a while to encourage them to eat mixed corn as well as dampened layers mash.