[taz4711]

hi. Just registered. Brill site. Have had a few ex battery hens in the past. A lot of them have died approx 3 years old. Mabel, my last one, died a month ago and she was about 5 and a half. Just took on 3 ex battery hens yesterday....it's fab (and quite sad) seeing them experience everything for the 1st time...interested in a fly, intrigued by a butterfly and very scared of a dove! I just wondered what was the average life span folk had experienced with ex battery hens they had taken on?

[mrs.ploppy]

Can be anything from hours of getting them home to many years.  Our oldest was about 8yrs old but I do think that was a very rare exception indeed.  Others usually lived on for 3-5 years after we had them.  But most died around 3-4 years.  Its like how long is a piece of string!  As long as they have had a good happy life with you then any day let alone year is a bonus.  The fact they have been able to express themselves as chickens is wonderful.

[Flowerpower136]

We've had our 8 ex batts just 3 weeks, and hoping for many happy years to come.

From what I've been told, does seem to vary.  Someone told me 2 years (on top of time in battery cage),  local gamekeeper (v knowledgeable about birds), said she'd had hers about 8 years.

But do know someone who took in 3 and lost 2 within a month.

[taz4711]

Thanks for that. When I asked someone a while ago how long hens live I was told 'as long as they are allowed to'.....nice thought but doesn't seem to be the case 

[craig1981]

i really do applaud you and anyone who takes on ex batts . just the though of giving them a good end to there life however long that may be must be very rewarding . I wanted to get my knowledge and experience levels up abit until i feel brave enough to take them on .  Good om you for taking them on

[smileysal]

i really do applaud you and anyone who takes on ex batts . just the though of giving them a good end to there life however long that may be must be very rewarding . I wanted to get my knowledge and experience levels up abit until i feel brave enough to take them on .  Good om you for taking them on

Craig, just go for it, our first 4 were ex bats and we had no experience at all! They're all fit and well and one has been broody and is now Mum to 6 chicks, how cool is that? From hell to heaven in 8 short months!!! 

[iwantanallotment]

They're all fit and well and one has been broody and is now Mum to 6 chicks, how cool is that? From hell to heaven in 8 short months!!! 

That's really lovely Sal, what a happy little hen she must be. Well done 

[beulah59]

We're collecting our first chickens, ex-batts, on Monday ...

[taz4711]

Ex batts are sooooo rewarding. The 1st day they are outside is just brill to watch.....and I recorded them this time cos the way they react to everything is something I could watch again and again and again 

[babs]

Hi I'm getting my girls next month. (waiting for the slaughter date). I have bought a coop off the internet which says will house 5/6 hens.It's approx 1meter square plus nesting box. I want six but it looks too small. The run is 1meter by 2 1/2 meters but they will have the run of the garden during the day. Do you think 6 will be too many in the coop part. It will probably feel like a mansion to them after what they've had. I can't wait to get them. 

[taz4711]

Hi Babs. I'm not very good with knowing about how much space re: each hen etc but I'm sure there are plenty of folk around here who could answer your question. How exciting!