The battery hens are usually in a poor way, deformed feet legs and clipped wings etc. being cooped up in a small space they have no movement except to feed and poo. Not much use to anyone out of captivity
My friend has some from the last intake and they have now started to get their full feathers back and are laying well after a few eggs with soft shells. Definitely worth taking on.
Beg to differ Gran, I have had 4 since last summer, they are not deformed in any way. They did spend the first few days I had them sunbathing!!!! but have layed at least two egas a day all through winter too. Quite handsome now all their feather are back, and very very good escape artists :)
'Rescued' battery hens are definitely worth taking. They are usually past their first (prime) laying period so become financially uneconomical. To keep them at home however they repay their keep with eggs as they will eat much other stuff beside expensive all-in pellets the farmer has to supply.
We always had ex battery hens, and once they feathered up there were no problems whatsoever with them, in fact they lay great big eggs as they're older birds, what makes you think they're a problem gran, all that is a bit of a myth?
We had some battery hens when i lived in wales and they were great. they got their feathers back and learnt to scratch around their run and then started laying and laying. very friendly hens.
Ruth,
I will take some but, whats the law on keeping them in a built up area.
I have a nice garden with an unused shed but what will the neighbours think, noise etc?
Unfortunately, I have a very serious allergy to chickens, pigeons and parrotts which has given me 'pigeon fancier's lung'. Otherwise I would definitely have some. I get so angry about battery hens and the fact that people buy factory farmed chickens and eggs. I just don't understand how the farmers or the consumers can live with themselves.
definatly worth having, i took 12 2 years ago they came with no feathers and couldnt stand for longer then a few mins before they had to sit down ,no meat on them , you could feel their breast bones like razors , they had never seen the sky as they had always had another cage above them and had never had fresh air , within 6 months they were happy healthy free range hens who lay eggs every day