What Breed to get

[Bine]

Ex-batts make great pets, but often they are in a very poor state and you may loose a hen or two in the first days. But most are just exhausted and need some extra care in the first weeks. Sore feet from the cages, little wounds and often next to no feathers...most things can be fixed with a clean, warm coop, some extra food and some good nights of sleep. Some just sleep the first two day b/c the light in the farm factory was on for 23 hours and they had no opportunity to sleep for weeks. Others just sit on the gras for hours obviously overwelmed by all the new things they see.
The good thing is that they don't make the connection between the factroy and us, so they don't fear people.
They often don't live as long as "normal" chickens but if you can give them some good years the will appreciate it.

 

[nemassis]

Ex-batts make great pets, but often they are in a very poor state and you may loose a hen or two in the first days. But most are just exhausted and need some extra care in the first weeks. Sore feet from the cages, little wounds and often next to no feathers...most things can be fixed with a clean, warm coop, some extra food and some good nights of sleep. Some just sleep the first two day b/c the light in the farm factory was on for 23 hours and they had no opportunity to sleep for weeks. Others just sit on the gras for hours obviously overwelmed by all the new things they see.
The good thing is that they don't make the connection between the factroy and us, so they don't fear people.
They often don't live as long as "normal" chickens but if you can give them some good years the will appreciate it.

Thats what i was thinking really. It would be nice to give a few of the poor lil things a good home for a bit. Maybe a little bit soppy but you got to feel for them.
Will have a look online and see what i can find. Have you had much experience with them then?

 

[chiques chicks]

Orpingtons were where i started my journey to be honest. I saw a few Buff Orpingtons and they were huge lol kinda stopped looking at them after that......
Has anyone had any experience with ex battery hens? I understand they may not be as easy going as others but i figured they may appreciate it?

Orpingtons look huge and are good sized birds, but they are so fluffy. Surprising how much of that size is feathers when you pick one up.

And there are bantams.

 

[nemassis]

Fair enough didnt have a hold. they are only down the road from me so will go have another look next week. They were very good looking birds to be honest

 

[joydix]

since you don't have any other birds it might be fine to do battery hens...when you do have others they have to be quarantined for a few weeks. they can have issues as you can imagine...but it is something i have always wanted to do....also sometimes they have to be rehabilitated. they have never stood up, had to go get food, played in sun.....sometime later i WILL do it!

 

[nightmaher85]

My opinion would be to get a breed that reflects you own behavioral traits. Most of a chickens personality reflects on how you raise them. They take after you if you treat the with TLC they will be friendly.

 

[Bine]

I only had three for about four month. Lost one in the first week to a infection of the ovaries. The other two recovered quite quick. They had some issues... the feet and some mites... how a bird without feathers can have mites is still a mystery to me but it turned out that they didn't do well with my bantams. I have Belgian Bantams mostly d'Anvers which are super sweet pet birds but very activ, loud and bold and the Ex-Batts just couln't put off with them. After the quarantine I still had to feed treats seperatly, b/c the tiny bantams took all the good stuff and ran. I really was sorry for them b/c they were three times the size and still on the bottom of the pecking order.And they didn't do that well with free range. I have 15000 ft² for the birds with wild flowers and bushes and they are out all day without supervision and there is a street near by. My bantams never thought about leaving the allotment, -okay sometimes the go visit other gardens - but the Ex-Batts never got the concept,I think, and wondered off quite frequnetly. I talked to the Rescue People and they moved to a home with other Ex-Batts and they are much happier in the new home.
So I think they do best in a coop and run set up with calmer breeds and supervised play time in the garden.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Those were amazing pictures, Cluckcluckluke!

Thanks

!

Orpingtons were where i started my journey to be honest. I saw a few Buff Orpingtons and they were huge lol kinda stopped looking at them after that......
Has anyone had any experience with ex battery hens? I understand they may not be as easy going as others but i figured they may appreciate it?

Yeah they are big, but its just all fluff. That's why I thought your kids would like them because they are like owning walking pillows

 

[nemassis]

Good thought. The Orpingtons are only down the road from me so will go have a cuddle next week. I am sure the kids would enjoy the flufflyness

 

[Bine]

Oh and take a look at the Belgium Bantams, they are tiny little birds with big personalities. The roosters can be a little too bold for toddlers but in general they are a great with kids.



And yes some love to sleep on the sofa with the cats...