I got my exbatts in August, so most of them have regrown their feathers. However, Tilly's still haven't grown, and I'm wondering if they ever will. And I admit to being worried about her with all the snow we've had and the awful icy east wind. In fact, had knitted a chuck sweater for her ready to put on if she seemed to be suffering.
But honestly, the icy cold hasn't bothered her at all. And we're up in the Lancs hills so, really quite a cold exposed area.
I've made sure that they've sheltered areas in the run (tubby trugs wedged on their sides against the direction of the wind), and they've a deep layer of woodshavings in the coop, and extra straw in the nest boxes. But haven't blocked off any ventilation in the coop, because I think ventilation it's still needed even though it's cold.
Would strongly recommend ex-batt pellets or crumbs. I started on these, and then changed to normal layers, and saw a deterioration in shell quality. Now back on ex batt pellets, and much better.
They will prefer treats to proper food - don't we all! But you must limit treats to afternoons after they had a good feed on the proper chuck food, and even then don't overdo it. I've been bulking up the afternoon corn ration with a hot mash and they love it.
Battery hens aren't bred for meat so they do tend to be a bit bonier than the average chuck. As long as they are eating their fill of a good balanced diet, don't worry.
If you've really got to keep them in the cellar, then definately agree with Foxy about trying to mimic natural daylight hours, though it might not alter the egg laying cos mine are still laying same as summer. 6 eggs most days from 8 chucks.
But, like Hillfooter, have a bit of an uneasy feeling about keeping chucks in a cellar! Though I can't quite rationalise it, and understand you are doing it for all the right reasons. And I suppose being ex-batts, they won't miss what they've never had. And it is only a temporary arrangement. But, I know that mine spend such a lot of time digging and foraging, I'd really be reluctant to have them in an environment that didn't permit such natural behaviour. And that might be an emotional need of mine rather than the chucks . . . but re-homing ex batts is a very emotional business!
From my experience (admit it's not
that much experience!) with ex-batts, unless they really are bald and 'oven ready', I be trying them out in down on the allotment. Spring is still months away, and they're tougher than you think.
Let us know how they get on, and get the pics posted!