[freshers]

have recently decided to get some ex-bats. will they be friendly as i have kids who are very hands-on! and i want to let them free range in the garden when possible but am concerned about catching them, any advice greatfully recieved

[Kate and her Ducks]

Welcome to the forum
Am little help as I keep ducks but I understand that ex-batts are pretty docile and tolerant as the aggression is bred out of them. When you say "hands on" how hands on are they? I remember being pretty awful to our long suffering cat when I was little  and they might be too much for animals that may be fairly traumatised.

[kattcottrell]

HI freshers and welcome to the forum.

I agree with Kate, they are supposed to be very docile so no problems there, how old are your kiddlys? My little boy who is 4 has autism and chases our chickens all over the garden, I can't get it through to him not to do it but have to say that the chickens don't seem to mind, they are still happy and follow us around so I wouldn't worry, although saying that I don't have ex-batts so don't know if they are different.

[freshers]

thanks for the advice. does anyone know if ex batts will be clipped or when i let them free range in the garden will i be chasing them through my neighbours gardens when putting them back in?

[Kate and her Ducks]

Again, don't know for sure but from the pics posted by pthers of their ex-batts when they get them they don't seem to always have many feathers to begin with anyway. Sure they grow back with a little TLC and then you would have to think about it to prevent them escaping if the pen is not entirely secure