Getting excited now....

[polo]

The spare coop and run is ready and scrubbed. Feeders and waterer ready. Sack of ex-batt crumb got.

Roll on this Saturday where we pick up our 3 ex-batts. Any top tips on what to expect would be gratefully received.

[Suechooks]

Be ready for anything!
I've had lots of ex-batts but I was gutted when I saw the last lot of barn hens that my girls came out of. I think they were the worst I'd seen.
Have to say though as everyone does - the joy of seeing them blossom is worth all the heartache!
I usually give them a good spray with Frontline and put Respite in their water for a week. The ex-batt crumb seems good. I also usually scramble their eggs and feed back to them for the first few days too.
Then just sit back and watch! Good luck and well done for taking them.

[polo]

Thanks Sue - already have the respite on stand by. Double bagged in the cupboard but can still smell it !! Your last lot were truly awful and I cried when one didn't make it so after your experience I have already had the 'talk' with DD about them not always making it.

Out of interest Sue - did you get yours through the BHWT? Just wondering what to expect when I get there - can you pick them or do you get the next three out the stable for example. I don't mind either way its just DD got herself quite upset about battery hens and that it happens in Britain and it would help her to be prepared.

The ex batt crumb smells lovely - all herby! I gave my other hens a mash of it today to help them over the moult - they loved it.

I will get pictures asap when I get them.

[Hans Mum]

my laides came via BHWT and I have to say it was brilliant like a millitary operation, you turn up at your alloted time and you couldnt go in and 'chose' they just put them in your carrier to take away, you pay your money first and fill in a tax relief form if applicable and youre on your way. I got mine at the end of Feb 2009 and there was snow i was really worried about them getting cold but they were fine and within a couple of days were being proper chickens, the ex-batt crumbs wasnt out then i just wizzed layer pellets up a bit in the food processor and they were fine, i put a chicken tonic in their water and they were fine, mine were in a very sorry state but they soon put feather growth on. Well done for takng ssome where are you picking them up from?

[polo]

HI Hans Mum, The set up sounds good to me. I'm picking up from Haslingden - did you go there or Lincolnshire? Noticed you're in Leeds.. I'm in Hudds.

[Suechooks]

Yes Polo it's like Hans Mum says! They were still unloading the truck when I got mine this time as they had 3000 birds to distribute! It's pretty much the first they can catch really! They do try to check each one as they unload so you shouldn't get any that are ill or injured.
It's all very friendly and efficient. It's the sheer scale of the thing that upset me. Ours were just one small fraction of the ones all over the country.

[Hans Mum]

HI Hans Mum, The set up sounds good to me. I'm picking up from Haslingden - did you go there or Lincolnshire? Noticed you're in Leeds.. I'm in Hudds.

youre collecting yours from same place my girls came from, watch the drive into it, its quite narrow with stone walls either side!!! But i'm so glad I got them & as Sue says its just a drop in the ocean but so rewarding, they did trim their claws and give them a quick check over, but there are literally 100's of them, dont forget the piccies when you get them

[polo]

Well the three new girls are home now and tucked up in the shed - two look reasonable and one is very bald and pecked. They were saving her for the first person with hen keeping experience! One of the ok looking girls has a swollen abdomen which I need to have a good look at in the morning - I couldn't do it tonight as they were so traumatised. Any advice would be great...

Its really emotional seeing them for the first time - how pale they are and sad looking but positive that the BHWT are doing the job they do.

I have had an egg from Poppy the bald already - she tripped up and an egg just fell out - I couldn't believe it! Now, about toenails - do I leave them to wear down or do I trim them?

I also noticed that two of them have white earlobes - which breed is this likely to be? Poppy has normal coloured earlobes....

Piccies...

[Hans Mum]

aawww they dont look too bad, but in a week or so they'll be different again hope the settle in ok not sure about the earlobe colour variations, sorry. If they're free ranging their toenails will wear down quite quickly.

[Suechooks]

Pictures of newly released girls always bring a lump to my throat. Not too keen on the swollen abdomen Polo. Its often the prelude or outcome of peritonitis. I hope you find that's not so.

[polo]

My thoughts as well Sue -time will tell. One of mine had peritonitis as a result of a broken egg ages ago so if I see anything like that this lady will be at the vets asap.

Hans Mum - they aren't as bad as expected. Thje drive is very narrow as you said but easy to find and lovely people. How are your hens now?

[Hans Mum]

ive had mine over 2 years now, only got 3 of the original 6 left the other have gone to the henrun in the sky, but the 3 left are doing very well, they dont lay every day but that doesnt matter they are happy and one especially would like to be a house hen!!!! Glad you got there ok and they are lovely and well organised, when its time to replenish my little flock i'll be making the trip 'over the top'.

[polo]

Yes, its a lovely drive over the tops through Hebden and Tod.

Well, I have had an egg from all three now so I'm taking that as positive for the girl with a swollen abdomen. We will see.Just off to put a washing up bowl of sand in the makeshift run in the shed - one of them was desperately trying to dust bath in the teeny bit of hemcore/straw on the floor. AMAZING how their instincts are so strong - they are going chickeny things already!

[Flummery]

Aw, bless their little floppy pale combs. Do show us a picture in a few weeks' time - I love to see how a bit of TLC can set them up a treat.

[polo]

Hi everyone, Knowing the forums general requests for lots of photos Ive decided its time to show you the ex-batts 5 months on.

They are adorable, gentle and are enjoying life and you can almost see the delight every day when they discover something new - like a windfall apple. They know no boundaries - in the house is their favourite place although they are no longer a fan of the kitchen broom! I swear if I didn't stop them they would be up the stairs.



I cannot count the times i have tripped over them or fallen and hurt myself to stop myself standing on them - they get under your feet like none of the others. They are great!