New to the forum

I've only recently come across this website and have been following the forum for a couple of weeks - hope you don't mind me butting in and asking for some advice!  

I'm quite new to chicken-keeping (since March) - I have 3 chickens of different breeds (Redco, Black Rock and a Light Sussex) and have been thoroughly enjoying the experience, they're such fun and me and my two boys just love them to bits!  We were watching the Hugh Fernley-whatsisname programme recently and my 9 year old was so upset and begged me to rescue every single battery hen in the world!!    So I made enquiries and have arranged to pick up 3 ex-batteries at the end of the month.  But now I'm starting to have doubts and after reading some of the threads am beginning to think maybe I should reconsider.  

How will my girls react to the ex-batteries - they're quite big (especially the Light Sussex) and I'm worried the poor newbies will be bullied.  I know I have to keep them separate to start with - for how long?  My husband is in the process of building a bigger run, so I can keep the one we have now (rabbit-run type) for the ex-batteries but what should they sleep in - would a cardboard box turned on its side be ok?  My 3 girls get on so well and I'm worried that introducing 3 more would upset the balance - what if they don't get on?  :cry:

Would be grateful for any advice.

Hiya, please dont change your mind, you might have a few teathing problems but it will all be fine. We got a bantam and a hybrid in January this year then we rescued 3 battery hens at the end of march. We found that our ex batts werent strong enough to put up with being pecked by our healthy girls at first and we had to keep them seperate for a few days. As soon as they had got some strength back- after a few days we started to let them out together. They naturally have to sort out their pecking order and we had to interveen a couple of times but it all worked out fine. Within a week they were all friends and weve never had problems after that week. To see our ex batts take their first steps on grass and to know they will be happy and loved, honestly there is nothing like it. They all have their own personalitys. They all had feathers missing, daisy had no feathers on her neck atall but within 2 months they had got all their feathers back, you can see improvements ever week. Hope this helps you.

I guess you're saying I shouldn't get the ex-batts Bodger - are you speaking from experience?

Hi and Welcome!
My hubby and I have agreed to differ on this.. I like you would like ex-batts.. but hubby has Bodgers concerns I guess.
Whatever you choose, there are people alongside you, those that have rescued and those that have chosen to err on the side of caution.
For now.. i'm on the caution side, but not convinced i will be forever.

Really glad your boys are enjoying your chooks too!