[pauls]

Got three ex-battery hens from RSPCA. They are very timid and I seem to be having to teach them to be chickens :-

I spent the first few days picking them up and showing them how to go up and down the ramp as they would just huddle in the rain. Now all three go up themselves at night but one of the three seems to stay up there all day - is this normal? I am now forcing her down and then closing the door so she can't go back up and has to stay down in ther run with the others. Is this a good idea?

Food. It took them 2 days before they would even touch the layers pellets or drink from the drinker and now they are eating /drinking readily but they seem very dissinterested when I bring corn, spaghetti, grapes, greens etc. The odd peck, but not the excitement and rush for it that I expected. Again is this normal?

And the other thing is they seem to stand around a lot and not dig and scratch around in their run. There is the occasional fight so I guess they are figuring out the pecking order?

Thanks..

[GrannieAnnie]

It can take them a while to be normal chooks Paul.  They've never done these things before.  Don't force them to do anything, as the poor things are quite stressed out enough as it is.

They will learn.  It took our ex batts 4 days before they even ventured out of the house.  They ate okay, but things like cabbage leaves etc and worms were a total no no for ages.  They'll be okay in a few days you wait and see!!!!

[pauls]

thanks, that is reassuring...

[peggyprice]

My two newbies took two days to venture out of the house, and they'd never even SEEN a battery    Then it took them a few more days to venture out of the run when the others were freeranging; then a few days more before they'd go more than a few feet out of the run.  Now they're the ones least likely to go back in at bedtime  

Same goes for all of mine with the treats - every time I offer them something new they look nervous and back away - till one of them eventually tries it and decides actually 'No, THIS is now my favourite food'      

I think, like most of us, they just want to make sure they feel safe where they are before they risk going further ...

Best of luck - and don't forget the law - PICTURES ARE COMPULSORY  

[pauls]

one other question on this... one of the three I mentioned doesn't come out the house into the run - this afternoon I made her come out and she went straight for the food, but the others tried to stop her eating - she just stands in the corner cowering. This happened yesterday too, seems she's being picked on and as a result doesn't like to come into the run tio mix with the other two. Any suggestions?

[peggyprice]

I'm sure you'll get lots of good advice from others more experienced round here, especially those with ex-batts, but again, one of my two newbies was very timid and didn't dare to stand up to the three older ones at first.

What worked for me was:
- making sure there was food available in at least two places, especially near the entrance to the house - so she could nip out and get some and still be close to her 'safe place' while the others had plenty of access to the 'usual' food
- separating the main bully into a puppy cage next to the run (within sight & sound) during the day - the others weren't such a problem then, and the newbie started to gain confidence without the big bully getting at her.  It's just like nursery school!
- letting them start freeranging together during the day - she and the other newbie stuck together and could keep out of the older ones' way - if there was a little squabble they just flapped off and retreated to a corner for a while
- an anti peck ring for the main bully - so she couldn't actually do damage.
See http://www.domesticfowltrust.co.uk/sundries1.html for details.

Once the newbies knew they weren't actually in any physical danger they started to calm down, the others started to get used to them, and within a few days they were all getting on fine.  

[Porffor]

I've no great advice, but wish you well and your chooks. it must be such a big shock to them poor loves.

I have 2 pullets and they haven't had 'real' food i don't think. I've tried so many things pasta got 'some' attention today, and toast crumbs (from the tray in the toaster) went down well as they could get them by normal pecking. It's taken a good few days for htem to figure if i throw something.. it's edible!

Really do hope they settle well for you.