New battery hens

[Doive]

We have acquired some new battery hens, lovely friendly little ladies they are too. Six real characters. Built them a lovely big house and run to enjoy, and they seem to be loving it. Downside is, they are taking over and ripping the garden to bits! Oh well, as long as they are happy...

Given their history, we'd like to give them the best possible treatment. At the moment they are getting layer's pellets, grit and corn feed, plus extra treats. Are there any other additives or treats you all give yours to keep them fit and healthy? Also, ours seem to lay eggs with very tough membranes, is that just one of those things or are they missing something in their diet? The eggs are very large and tasty!

[alifrew]

They're gorgeous! I bet they are in heaven with that lovely run and all that grass!
I give my girls apple cider vinegar in their water one week in every 4 to keep their digestive system in order. At least I think that's what it's for! I also have the metal part of a hanging basket hung up in the run to put things like cabbage in, as a bit of entertainment. Natural yoghurt is good for their digestive system as well - just don't stand too close or you'll be covered!


Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum

[Knight of Albion]

Bless you for giving them a second chance at life and happiness ...

[Verinda]

I have four battery hens and they looked much more bedraggled when I got them, your hens look much better. Mine were very bald and grubby. It is a pleasure to see them growing feathers and becoming healthy.

When they first arrived they seemed quite desperate for company but now they are more confident and wander off...frog hunting and eating virtually everything that moves or grows!

I gave mine hen tonic when I first got them (last September) and cider vinegar. I hadn't thought to give them yoghurt...do they slurp it out of a bowl??

Mine don't lay eggs with tough membranes, one of them, Maggie frequently lays a soft egg. I bake and crush egg shells for them to try and up their calcium intake.

Your hens look so happy it's great to see them out and about after their horrible life in the battery.

[Doive]

There was only 700 saved from a batch of 60,000... so we only have 0.01% of that number. The rest went off for dog food poor girls. I'm most definitely not a fan of battery farming, and the terrible conditions these poor girls are kept in. When they arrived, ours had no idea how to walk, what a perch was for, what straw or grass was. Now, they are running around, flapping wildly, clucking and crowing. It's enormously gratifying to see them growing and learning - it's so funny to see their reaction to an ice cream van! Six little scrawny necks all craned up to see what the noise is... makes us laugh. Can't wait until they are fully feathered. I don't really care if they never lay another egg, they are so much fun to have around.

[Verinda]

Batteries are absolutely awful. Yes ours was about the same percentage saved. The rest were rendered, which sounds dreadful. I feel the same about the eggs, I just enjoy their company and I love the way they cluck madly when I throw them some oats or corn!

[ancee]

We bought a little bowl thing which I've hooked to the side of the run (meant for Budgie cages) and we put crushed oyster shells and grit in it. - Bought a couple of bags that were on offer at a pet shop, as we were told they have to have access to grit to keep them regular! It grinds up stuff in their craws (think that's right!) I think! They don't eat much of it, but it's there if they need it. I was also told they need green stuff every day. So I get Hubs and son to bring a carrier bag of weeds and dandelions when they go out with the dogs. I think this is my girls happiest part of the day - they love seeing what goodies have been brought for them

[Floyd]

Hope you're not too fond of that lawn.......mine used to look like that pre-chicken and lunatic dog arrival!