[charliesdad]

Hi all been reading lots on this site and learnt alot ....so thought it about time i wrote to say hi to you all.....we have 5 ex batts had them for a couple of weeks and they are doing fine apart from lookng abit bald in places and now they look like they are moulting.....i take it this will happen......i would appreciate any tips to help them have a good moult ...and grow some nice new feathers....roll on the spring ......

[PaulineM]

Hi
Welcome to the site 
I don't have experience with ex batts but I have experienced moulting.
Just make sure they have access to plenty of layer's feed and greens etc. You can give them some tuna in spring water or fish flavoured cat food to boost their protein if you think they need it. 

[Sassy]

Ex batts are usually partially bald due to feather pecking which is due to the unnatural conditions they have been living in. They will feather up again. I think a lot of people with 'new' ex batts feed them a food specially developed for them. This would help with feather development

[bantam novice]

Hello, Charliesdad, and welcome to the wacky world of henaholics 

[cejx]

I've ex bats.  make sure you feed them ex bat crumb for the first 6 weeks or so - with extra meal worms for protein.  they'll soon feather and fatten up.  Mine now have got a little big for their boots and now rule my life. Just keep an eye on blood spots where the others peck, as they love pulling out the new feathery little stumps. Purple spray will be your friend.

[charliesdad]

hi all thanks for replys i got there tuna cat food today to give them that boost and im feeding ex bat food so all seems well at the mo still losing feathers tho..... we even had some sun out today here in kent....and they loved that....as did there owner....ha ha ..will up there greens food now was just worried that it might upset them to much green food...is every other day ok....or is it best to give them greens everyday .......

                         great site

[Carla]

Hiya, I have 3 ex-batts...love em to bits. Mine seemed to get balder when I first had them...the battery farms get rid of the girls when they enter their first moult as they stop laying for a few weeks, so it's not financially worth them keeping them.. grrrr. They'll be fine. Just keep an eye on that its not feather pecking causing the loss...it shouldnt be, but best to be safe than sorry. Just keep up with the ex-batt crumb, you can slowly cross over to pellets if you'd rather, but do it slowly as they'd rather starve to death than eat strange pellets. After a few weeks, they'll eat most things, just keep showing different stuff to them, they'll get it eventually. A palm full of greens each chicken is all thats needed, if they're free ranging, they might not even need that much because they'll eat all your plants Meal worms every evening as a treat and you can offer a tiny bit of corn each day, but mine wont touch it, I think its abit too alien to them.
They're tough old birds...main things to keep an eye out for are wheezy breathing, runny eyes or nose, swollen abdomen or vent area or a prolapse. Other than that, they'll adjust to being free and you'll be amazed at how obsessed they'll become with you. Mine peck on the cat flap to get my attention COngrats on rescuing some girlies, you'll never regret it. I'm getting some more in April Addictive xx

[charliesdad]

hiya thanks for that info ...will keep an eye on them for any ailments what you said...i don't think its feather pecking seems like they have gone into a moult like you say... we are unable to let them free-range totally as there are foxes about close bye ...so cannot take the risk,,,,but they do have nice house and run and will be adding a new run for them soon as we change the garden......the house and run is going to be totally fox proof that's our main concern......when its finished i think we will call it fort chooks.....lol.....

[bantam novice]

  I like the name!  Good idea though to make strongly foxproof.  Those russet rascals are pretty wily and keep an eye on any potential food sources.  Try to consider that you are human and may forget and build that into your protection routine.

[charliesdad]

hi ....fox proofing was our main concern with our run....we nearly bought off e bay but decide against it after reading comments and looking at other ideas .....and now have a converted shed.....with a  run....and was great fun building your own design home for our new girls...would highly recommend converting a shed........to any newbie thinking about starting up...in the chook world....