x batt hens

jimroden · « **on:** March 20, 2008, 13:37 »

I have read on many posting's about x batt hens do you have to diet them as I presume they will be used to eating and drinking all day :?: :?:

When i get my coop up ( hopefully some time over easter) I would get some xbatt hens so i will be posting some daft questions then

Captain_Dingbat · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2008, 13:47 »

Ex-bats DO seem to do nothing but eat all day at first, and I was amazed by the amount I was pouring into them, it was costing a fortune...! However, I don't give them half as much now and they have reached an excellent weight and are all re-feathered, you would never know they are ex-bats!

They have a HUGE field to roam in, and spend their time digging up worms, and these are the things that they do naturally of course, and for the first time last week, there wasn't that mad rush back to the fenced-in pen where their coop is to the trough when I filled it!

You should have seen the first time one of them found a worm when it was raining...all 9 of the others came tearing across and a mad scuffle ensued! At this point...most were half bald and I cried! My husband tutted at this but it was so nice to see!

I'm going tonight to get a load of chicks off a friend who has far too many chickens at the moment.....but ill be getting some more ex-bats in the summer, as they are the most amazing things ever, and each one has a different personality!

You can sit all day and just watch them....

I'm actually doing an assembly at the school I work at in a few weeks about battery farming, and Im taking a couple of them in so the students can see them!

Regards,

Donna

GrannieAnnie · « **Reply #2 on:** March 20, 2008, 13:59 »

None of my ex batts were overweight!!!!

Wildeone · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2008, 14:15 »

Mine hoovered up anything and everyt5hing at first but have settled down now (with in 2 weeks) They're lovely.

babe · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2008, 15:33 »

once they realise they have lots to explore and not just eat they soon settle down.

how are yours doing wildy, evie is undressed today, showing off her new stubby little feathers.

they are all getting new feathers sprouting, so wonderful to see

Wildeone · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2008, 16:12 »

They're ok :? Henny Penny is covered to stubby little feathers and is still very timid but all in all they're lovely healthy and can't wait to get out everymorning and rotavate my boarders!

Fat Hen · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2008, 16:31 »

They also get more excersise than they're used to. Today mine got their excersise by digging up my 6 yr olds spring flowers (she were a tad upset but still cuddled the chooks)

Jellyhead · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2008, 16:41 »

EXCUSE ME, HELLO, BABE........PICCIES PICCIES PICCIES, you of all people should know that :shock:

babe · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2008, 17:44 »

Quote from: "Jellyhead"

EXCUSE ME, HELLO, BABE........PICCIES PICCIES PICCIES, you of all people should know that :shock:

be fair jelly, the poor little lady is strutting around for her first time with no clothes on. got to at least give her 24 hours to get used to being naked..... before asking her to pose :roll:

NormandyMary · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2008, 20:34 »

I cant wait to see Evie again. Evie is also the name of my great niece and she is a right little cutie too!

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