Pics of our ex-batts when we first got them - poor things

[sandh72]

Henny and Penny, our first 2 chickens ever, were both from our local animal rescue centre. We got Molly and Polly when Henny died (old age), they came from the Battery Hen Welfare Trust. Princess_Layer - if you Google BHWT you will find all their local centres in the UK (there's one in Kings Lynn). We can't really take any credit for the ex-batts looking good - they're just out in the garden with the rest and we left them to just get on with it, so don't be put off.

Billy, our white Silkie bantam, is our eldest at 4+ years (she came to us as a re-homer), but Penny probably isn't much younger. So we've been supplementing the flock recently so that we have continuity as we're conscious that they won't last forever. We love having the variety and are totally hooked!

Can anyone tell me average life expectancy of a chicken please?

 

[Della333]

they turned into beauties !!! did they lay much for you ?

 

[sandh72]

Quote:
Princess Layer - we were told when we picked them up that they were Lohmann/Rhode Island Red cross. I'm not sufficiently knowledgeable to claim any different!

We got about 6 eggs a week from them initially, but less frequently now.

 

[Della333]

It's a shame animals are allowed to suffer in cages -
it takes a lot for me NOT to ask people buying eggs at the grocery store if they know where
they came from. I'd like to get a few battery hens - I have a small coop now , 7 various hens
but want to do a renovation so I can get a few more.... summer mission.

Did you find it was hard for them to adjust to being free? Being with other chickens?
Being around people? Roosting? you must have 18 months of interesting stories !

 

[Cocotte]

Wow, they look like completely different chickens now! And they're much happier too, I'm sure

 

[wvgal61]

great job!

 

[Soph xo]

They're so beautiful

All fat and shiny

I'm getting three hens that mum's friend intercepted on their way from the hatchery to the battery... she bought them all! yay
I can't wait.... and seeing yours all healthy make me hopeful!

They were lucky to go to you

 

[tinychicky]

Awwww! poor hens! they're lucky to have you! i can't BELIEVE the way they're treated i've been looking for a place to save some ex-battery hens from, too, but there don't seem to be any here in new england! i'll keep looking...

 

[marykays1]

LOL, You said you didn't "do much" with them after you got them =="JUST" allowing them to run free though.

What do battery-raised hens generally look like? And how old are they before the place tries to "get rid of them." I would suppose that, here in the U.S. they'd want to eke every penny out of them and butcher them for cat food or something.

I don't know of any such rescue places in the U.S. but I'm just not knowledgeable.

Thanks for sharing.

Mary Kay

 

[sandh72]

Quote:
Not sure, but I think that they're Lohmann RIR cross. They've certainly been good layers.