[Walfre]

Help please, thinking of rescuing a couple of ex bats & buying a couple of good laying hens. Which do we do first, imagine get the bats first then when they are settled introduce the other 2. Any advice would be great.

[Craig69]

For someone new ex-bats can be difficult.
I've read a few posts on here saying this, so for a newbie I wouldn't consider it until you have more experience.
Start with POL which are so easy

[joyfull]

it is best not to mix vaccinated an none vaccinated hens so if you are to get point of lay find out if they have been done (most small breeders don't vaccinate owing to the cost).

[kopperdrake]

If you do decide to go the ex-bat route, I would suggest buying at least three. The chances are reasonably high that one won't make it, and if you only have two then you'll have one left on its own, which is never good for a chook. We rescued four 4 years ago and they all survived, though it was a steep learning curve with a couple of hairy moments (egg peritonitis, a very exhausting moult which almost killed one). Whilst not being the easiest route - it *is* very rewarding, and any time they get with you is more than they would have had

[Walfre]

Many thanks for the help guys. We are going with 3 or 4 hybrids