Rescue and Care for Ex-Bats

Poor things :( At least they have a great life ahead of them now though

 

What dull eyes. It will be nice to see them brighten up when they settle in and become individuals.

 

When we got our 6 ex's they were nearly oven ready, sweetpeas, your's look almost in full feather. Anyway, they all feathered up as it got colder and this freezing weather does'nt seem to bother them at all. The older chooks take themselves off to bed a lot earlies than the ex's, who seem to want to stay out as long as possible, then make a dash for the shed as the light goes

 

Hi terrier, I did seem to get a good few, they were really busy on the day so just got what they gave me rather than requesting a few that need a jumper knitting for them. I've been going down about half 4 and putting them to bed and locking them up in bed so they start to get the hang of when it's bed time Also had to put my others to bed (seperate coops) as there more interested in loooking at and talking to the new girls.

"It will be nice to see them brighten up when they settle in and become individuals" I've already noticed that, no mother hen yet though, it's amazing how 4 birds can be so different, Can't wait till there all settled in and able to meet the others and all run around outside together, there so fascinating to watch, great to talk to too

 

How are they getting on Jo?

 

They're getting on good Aaron, eating well, drinking plenty, had a few eggs too
still putting them to bed but mainly so they know when to go as I've seen then up in the bedroom so there's not a problem with them getting up there. I'm more concerned about the dog fox that comes in the garden calling at night, they're all locked up and secure but still gives me a restless night and will even more tonight as I found he's used the space between the two coops as a bathroom. I even heard him at 9 this morning.

Have you ever kept/bought some for eating?

 

I've never taken ex-batts, mainly down to room really. Maybe in the next house, with a bigger run! We are limited in space for a secure run and bantams are better suited unfortunately.

 

Hi Everyone!

We got a couple of ex-bats just before Christmas and they're getting on great. Feathers are coming back good and strong and they've found their feet and make lots of noise!

We also hatched our own last spring but were a bit unlucky with the numbers - out of a dozen eggs we got 1 hen and 6 cockerels! we've managed to re-home one of them - Chestnut went to the Hop Farm at Paddock wood in Kent - but the other 5 are still with us, waiting to be rehomed...

If anyone would want one to go with their ex-bats, let me know. we're just outside Maidstone in Kent, not far from the M20.

They've got great characters and look great too. Pic attached (hopefully!).

So, go on, give your girls a treat! Free to a good home in exchange for a verbal guarantee that they won't be eaten on Sunday...

 

they look lovely,I'm afraid I have a written aggrement with the council that I won't have a cockerel. And I don't think the neighbours would be too impressed.

 

Whaddya mean?? It's a lovely sound first thing! Even at the weekend! ha ha!

We're quite lucky that we have a very long garden and they're half way down it, buffered by some trees and shrubs. We've not had any complaints from our neighbours, but they're not too bad.

Only 1 of our 5 remaining does the crowing (pecking order well established) and usually only for around 10 minutes in the morning and then occasionally during the day if he can see anyone around.

 

Your other cockerels won't be crowing as you have an alpha male cockerel already. Wait till he is re-homed (if you do) and the next down will start crowing in his place. Sometimes when a hatch is boy heavy, some of them will not feather up as quickly as the others - almost as if they are keeping a low profile to avoid conflict.