Ex-Battery Hen Chickens

Breed Rating (92 Reviews)

Appearance
Friendliness
Hardiness
Egg
Garden

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Ex-Battery Hen History

The ex-bat was hatched around the time of World War 2 when nutritious food needed to be cheap and plentiful to feed at nation at war. The use of battery cages increased slowly until by the 1990's about 75% of all the chickens in the world were kept in cages. Millions of hens are still housed in cramped cages and from that day to this the battery hen has been largely out of sight and out of mind.

Ex-Battery Hen Behaviour

If you don’t need fancy feathers and prefer something a little rough and ready, the ex-bat’s your girl! What she lacks in the looks department, she will more than make up for with both an endearing nature and, usually, good egg production. All ex-bats come with great charm and a big personality.

Ex-Battery Hen Varieties

All are commercial hybrids and basically range from Brown Tatty Threadbare through to Brown Beauty with the occasional Snow White Amberlink! All will blossom much as the Ugly Duckling did with a bit of TLC.

Ex-Battery Hen Status

Common

Ex-Battery Hen Pictures

An exbattery chicken exploring our garden for the first time.

A brown chicken in a garden with buttercup flowers

A brown chicken with a small yellow chick on its back inside a coop

Someof our rescued ex batts and free range commercial girls

Lily 8 months after being rescued, who was featherless when we had her

Ex-Battery Hen For Sale

Please note: All animals listed here are for collection only. They cannot be delivered by the seller or by Omlet. The seller will send you their contact details to arrange payment and collection.

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Latest Reviews For Ex-Battery Hen (5 of 92)

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Based on 92 Verified Reviews

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Just the job! - Moira, 23 July 2020

I have kept many different chicken breeds but since moving somewhere where there are lots of foxes I've gone for ex- batts as they're happy living in an eglu. I won't have more than 3 at a time though so they have a reasonable amount of space. Of my current 3 two are now dark and glossy and the other is a bit weedy but all lay wonderful eggs daily. I know that they tend to die earlier than pure breeds and will stop laying in a year or so but they're friendly and happy girls. I'd love to let them out during the day but Mr Fox got my last girls so they stay in. They get moved daily (we have plenty of space) and are very popular with passers by who love to see them.

My adorable ladies - Sandie, Kent, 3 February 2020

I first got ex batt hens last August from fresh start for hens. One is called Mrs Barebum due to lack of feathers. All the girls were lacking feathers and confidence. We have a large garden so they free ranged during the day, unfortunately, Mrs hobby got bitten by a fox and she is now in chicken heaven after a visit to the vets. we now have a large enclosure but are let out when I can watch them still. They love life and I will never forget all six running around the garden with the first down pour not knowing what is was. I will only get ex batts in future. Wouldn't ever want to be without them now. ???? forever.

lovely hens - Kathleen, East Lothian, 26 February 2018

When they arrive they look very scruffy but after no time they are learning to scratch as hens do and within a few weeks their feathers start to grow back and any sores on them heal up with nourishment and handling.

The ex Bat! - Ashley, 12 February 2017

I think it's great you save ex battery/factory farm chickens! Their life is hell until they are saved, they live in a cage no larger than a magazine page, crammed with other chickens, often trampled/stepped on, and most often die due to the horrible conditions. Most are left to die. An tossed out/stepped on when they die.

Great girls - Anne, 6 May 2015

When you get them they in poor shape but with TLC they become Beautiful Ladies-- Eggs really tasty and thick-- However , they will weed and root in your garden VERY well so make sure you have a run if you want to preserve your lawn and flower beds . Mine great with cats and dogs . Cheeky , brave survivors who roost under my kitchen table if they get in . Health good when recover from horrible battery conditions -- Would not be without my 6 Ladies .

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