Ex-Battery Girls

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Amy

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Well guys as if I didnt have enough to worry over, I have just got 4 ex-battery hens.

They are beautiful little creatures and I cant recommend them enough.

I have 2 chucks in fairly good condition apart from limps and droppy huge combs but I also have 2 who are fairly bald, very timid and very skinny.

One of the bald timid girls, Ruby, is not as perky as the others. She hides alot, doesnt run for the food much, sleeps alot and stands with closed eyes. I have only given them Ex-Battery crumbs, a handful of corn in an evening and lots of water (No treats) and her poop is clear, frothy and watery with a tiny hint of white/brown in it. Does anyone know what this means?!?! Is there anything else I should be doing/giving them?

I am desperate for them to have a fabulous life and I really want to help Ruby perk up rather than give up?!

:)
 
Hi, if you have just got them, it can take a while for them to become used to being chickens again- i.e. scratching around- dust bathing, getting used to free ranging- i would try to slowly covert them onto layers pellets- mix a little with the batt crumbs and gradually increase the pellets and reduce the crumbs.
you should see a great improvement over the coming weeks- they will redden up and start to regrow their feathers- and their combs will shrink a little- gald you could give some a newand happy home :)
I hope you enjoy your new girls, good luck with them.
regards David :)
 
They are amazing. When they were let out for the first time in all the space they just looked round in wonder and then trotted off for a good investigation.

I am really looking forward to nurturing them back to health and seeing them re-grow their feathers etc. I have taken photos of how they look now and cant wait to show everyone how they look in a few months!

So you dont think the clear, runny poo is anything to worry about and the constant sleepiness?

I am already getting so much pleasure out of watching them learn to do new things. It really is wonderful!
:D
 
Hi Amy,
I was thinking of you yesterday and wondering how it was going with the new girls. From what I've read about ex-batts, everything about them can be very odd until they have time to settle in. They are probably knackered from the complete change. Looking forward to seeing the pics. Can't wait to get ours in 2 weeks, just wish I could get a few more! The run will take 12 hens but the coop will only hold 6 :(
Try not to worry too much over the next few days and enjoy :)
Judith
 
welshchick said:
Hi Amy,
I The run will take 12 hens but the coop will only hold 6 :(
Click to expand...

we have a long run, with a "house" sorry, coop (!) at each end.
some nights there's equal numbers each end, sometimes they choose to all pile in together!!
why not add abit on yours, and get some ex-batts, they're great!!
:lol:
 
I've been seriously considering an extension and getting 4 ex batts instead of just 2. Don't know if the hubby would go for it though. :? I'd probably get shot! :lol:
 
Well my girls seem to have perked up slightly. They still will not leave the coop unless encouraged then as soon as I turn my back they peg it back in! I guess they are still getting used to their surroundings!
They are very cute though but real timid little thing!
 
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