looking to get some ex battery hens

little_miss_kitty · #1 (**permalink**) 13-04-2009, 08:01 PM

Hi everyone

I've been thinking about getting some ex battery hens for a while now and we now have the space for some......I have a few questions though

1/ How many is an ideal number to keep? (we have a large 120ft long garden but ideally we'd like to keep them in a pen of some sort attached to a coop.would this be suitable?) They would not be able to have unsupervised access to our garden as there are too many neighbourhood cats.
Wopuld this be okay? How many hens would be happy in this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COMPLEAT-CHICK...3A1|240%3A1318

2/ What would they need on a monthly basis other than food and water....would their accomodation need to contain straw?

3/ will they lay eggs?

4/ Do I need a cockrel to keep with them?

5/ Will they be able to fly?

Apolgies for all of the questions!

Thanks

archiebaby · #2 (**permalink**) 13-04-2009, 08:14 PM

hi, we have hens and it is great!
i have looked at your advert and it does say suitable for 5 bantams or 3 hens?
you only need a cockeral if you want baby chicks ( our cockeral drives me mad at 1/2 5 in the morning though lol)
they do need food and water of course, but ours have all scraps inc potato peelings and all veg peelings and stale bread etc( not sure if they are meant to but they love it anyway) they do also need to be wormed every now and then i have been told ( something you put in their water)
we do get eggs everyday which is lovely for breakfast!!!
sorry cant answer all your questions but do go for it, they are great!

little_miss_kitty · #3 (**permalink**) 13-04-2009, 08:18 PM

Thanks for the reply. I think a cockrel would drive our neighbours mad and we don't want chicks

Would 3 hens be okay together or do they prefer to be in larger flocks?

We won't be getting any for a few months yet as husband will need to build the coop/run for me after he has extended the rabbit run

One more question... the coop/run would be kept alongside the rabbits..would this be okay?

catsdogsrats · #4 (**permalink**) 14-04-2009, 06:28 PM

Hope its not a silly question lol, but is it only the cockerels that make a noise, ive thought of getting some ex batt hens too, but im worried my neighbours will go mad!

archiebaby · #5 (**permalink**) 14-04-2009, 07:07 PM

hi, my chickens dont really make a noise only when the cockeral is after them

i would say definately go for it!

TortMad · #6 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by little_miss_kitty

Hi everyone

I've been thinking about getting some ex battery hens for a while now and we now have the space for some......I have a few questions though

1/ How many is an ideal number to keep? (we have a large 120ft long garden but ideally we'd like to keep them in a pen of some sort attached to a coop.would this be suitable?) They would not be able to have unsupervised access to our garden as there are too many neighbourhood cats.
Wopuld this be okay? How many hens would be happy in this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COMPLEAT-CHICK...3A1|240%3A1318

Don't keep any less than 3, as chickens are flock animals. As for the amount, will depend on the amount of space you are willing to dedicate your garden too, as they will destroy the area. Also will depend on the size of coup you are looking at. As a general rule if a coup says sleeps 6, it is usually best to only keep 4 in it for added space. If you don't want them free ranged, cats won't bother them, then you will need to make an enclosed run, also make sure this has a skirt on it to make it fox proof.

2/ What would they need on a monthly basis other than food and water....would their accomodation need to contain straw?

Yes they need a flooring such as hemp and straw in the next box such as nedz bedz. They will also need some suppliments and treating for red mite during the summer and worming which can be done in their food or water.

3/ will they lay eggs?

Yes but the amount of eggs produced will deteriate as the girls get older

4/ Do I need a cockrel to keep with them?

No and actually it's best not to in an urban environment as it can get you in to trouble with your neighbours and the environmental health noise abatement act lol

5/ Will they be able to fly?

Not so much fly, but they can use their wings to make them run faster, get them on to a high perch and to allow them to jump higher. They can be clipped quickly and easily if this is a problem

Apolgies for all of the questions!

Thanks

I keep 6 ex batts and think they are great

Here is the battery hen welfare trusts web page, which contains a care sheet which may answer some more of your questions

Battery Hen Welfare Trust

TortMad · #7 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsdogsrats

Hope its not a silly question lol, but is it only the cockerels that make a noise, ive thought of getting some ex batt hens too, but im worried my neighbours will go mad!

My neighbours aren't bothered by my hens

, well they haven't told me any way lol

Yes they can ,make some noise, I don't keep a cckeril so the hen top of the pecking order acts as boss and can and does crow, but not like a cockril does. They also cluck and call to each other (I call it singing lol). Also when a hen lays an egg she is very proud and often tells every one about it lol. They are not exactly quiet, but they make less noise than my dog

TortMad · #8 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 10:22 AM

Here is a couple of threads that I have recently replied to regarding questions involving keeping chickens

Want some chickens....

I would like to keep chickens

Rhiannon · #9 (**permalink**) 26-12-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TortMad

My neighbours aren't bothered by my hens

, well they haven't told me any way lol

Yes they can ,make some noise, I don't keep a cckeril so the hen top of the pecking order acts as boss and can and does crow, but not like a cockril does. They also cluck and call to each other (I call it singing lol). Also when a hen lays an egg she is very proud and often tells every one about it lol. They are not exactly quiet, but they make less noise than my dog

how does your dog get on with the hens? I really want to get some ex-bats but have 2 little ratters!!!!!

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