Just rescued some more Battery Hens *pics*

[Johnn]

Aww so cute!

Thanks

 

[purplesquirrel]

In all my years of hen keeping, Ruby is the only hen that I have ever had still laying at this time!

how odd! I've just got 2 battery chickens and I've named one Rosie and one Ruby...

 

[purplesquirrel]

I recently bought 2 hens (for £2 each!) from a very poor environment, in a huge barn with about 1000 others.
Which was about 20cm deep in chicken poo, with eggs all over the floor, the air was awful, the condition of the hens ranged from baldness, damaged feet, combs, wattles, feathers and very badly developed beaks.

The two I chose were the healthiest I could see/catch, and after getting them home and putting them in a small run on my lawn in the evening sun, I realised I did manage to get two nice ones! With clean, pink faces and bright eyes.


Only until picking up my others hens and the cock, have a realised how skinny my new rescu'ees are, with hardly any breast muscle whatsoever and a very weak looking frame.

What can I give them to feed them up? Vegetable fat in their feed? Lard?
Or shall I just shower them with feed and vegetable scraps?

Any answers would be much appreciated!

 

[Nickeyo]

i just give my ex bats normal layers, with a daily treat of layers mash mixed with growers pellets and mixed corn and water, and i give them mixed corn to scratch

 

[Johnn]

I recently bought 2 hens (for £2 each!) from a very poor environment, in a huge barn with about 1000 others.
Which was about 20cm deep in chicken poo, with eggs all over the floor, the air was awful, the condition of the hens ranged from baldness, damaged feet, combs, wattles, feathers and very badly developed beaks.

The two I chose were the healthiest I could see/catch, and after getting them home and putting them in a small run on my lawn in the evening sun, I realised I did manage to get two nice ones! With clean, pink faces and bright eyes.


Only until picking up my others hens and the cock, have a realised how skinny my new rescu'ees are, with hardly any breast muscle whatsoever and a very weak looking frame.

What can I give them to feed them up? Vegetable fat in their feed? Lard?
Or shall I just shower them with feed and vegetable scraps?

Any answers would be much appreciated!

If they have any feathers missing then give them scrambled eggs and meal worms for the protein. They ill gain weight eventually, I wouldn't worry. JUst give them their normal layers feed and then give some mixed corn on a night. The mixed corn will fatten them up but I wouldn't recommend just giving them that because it wont give them everything they need. You could also give them wild bird fat balls or even make your own (I think you can make your own for hens, don't see why not if they can eat store bought ones)!

I'm the complete opposite to you, if it where me in there I would have been picking out all the baldy's! I love helping them recover.

Also, would love to see some pics of your girls and updates if possible!

 

[Johnn]

Also give them Growers if they need their feathers back but if they are still laying make sure they have a pot of oyster shells for the calcium as growers lacks in calcium!

 

[Johnn]

how odd! I've just got 2 battery chickens and I've named one Rosie and one Ruby...

Aww, well done you! Would love to see some pics

 

[purplesquirrel]

thanks guys, will post pics soon, they've given me one egg yesterday (first time of moving in) and an egg each today!
My lovely ladies

 

[Johnn]

thanks guys, will post pics soon, they've given me one egg yesterday (first time of moving in) and an egg each today!
My lovely ladies

Did you get them straight from the cage? If so they will probably lay for a week of two and then stop for a month or two whilst they adjust

 

[purplesquirrel]

Did you get them straight from the cage? If so they will probably lay for a week of two and then stop for a month or two whilst they adjust

no they were in a huge barn that was absolutely covered head to toe in deep doo-da, stank like hell