Rescuing battery hens for adoption

[ChickieBooBoo]

I seen this website ( http://www.humanefood.ca/adopt_a_hen.html ) and it gave me an idea. I can get battery hens for free here because my dad knows the huterite colony who has them. I could get like 15-20 spent laying hens and cared for them until they were well enough to be re-homed. My coop is split into 2 parts, one for my heritage layers and one was going to be for bantams. The bantams were just for something different, but I think I like this idea better. What do you think about it? Any suggestions?

 

[sourland]

It's a noble thought, but realize that if you introduce these birds into your coop you risk the possibility of exposing your heritage birds to disease.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Quote:
I would keep them seperate for a few weeks for sure, then slowly introduce them

 

[impis]

I think i'd be more worried about the ex batts getting disease from the birds who were used to living out, LOL!

I don't know about over there, but here in the UK, battery hens are inoculated against all manner of chicken illnesses and while they are definitely UNFIT when they come out of the cages, in terms of health, they're actually pretty good [if a bit bald]

We have a couple of charities here who deal with rehoming ex battery hens. They are collected from the farms in the mornings, transported to the holding areas, then their new owners collect them a couple of hours later.

We rehomed 3 ex batts just over a year ago. Very very sweet natured birds! And they soon got the hang of doing normal chicken things!

 

[English Chick]

I have been involved with the Battery Hen Welfare Trust here in the Uk for a long time, and had 150 ex batts eighteen months ago.... yep they are bald and don't really walk that well when they are first "released" but after a couple of months they look fantastic.... they still lay but just not as often as a younger bird.. I would say go for it.. just isolate them as usual from your own flock... and THANKS for helping them (((hugs))))

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Quote:
Thank you for the encouragement, I'll post pics of them when I get them!