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A Beginner's Guide to Caring for Ex-Batts
Have you ever been tempted to rehome some ex-batts but didn’t know where to start?
This little book is written especially for the new or prospective ex-batt owner, providing the information you need to confidently care for your own little flock of ex-commercial hens. It takes you step by step through the rehoming process, explains how to deal with common situations that may arise and encourages you to enjoy spending time with your hens as they develop their own quirky characters.
Weaving throughout the book are tales and pictures of the author’s own beautiful ex-batts.
Ex-batts are special girls who deserve their own special book and as you start out on your ex-batt keeping journey, you will soon discover the joy and love that these little hens can bring to your life.
This little book is written especially for the new or prospective ex-batt owner, providing the information you need to confidently care for your own little flock of ex-commercial hens. It takes you step by step through the rehoming process, explains how to deal with common situations that may arise and encourages you to enjoy spending time with your hens as they develop their own quirky characters.
Weaving throughout the book are tales and pictures of the author’s own beautiful ex-batts.
Ex-batts are special girls who deserve their own special book and as you start out on your ex-batt keeping journey, you will soon discover the joy and love that these little hens can bring to your life.
104 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2013
4 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Jo Barlow
3 books1 followerJo is lucky enough to live in west Cornwall with her wonderful family, many beautiful ex-battery hens and six rescue cats! Caring for ex-commercial hens has now completely taken over her life, and that of her family! She writes extensively about her wonderful 'girls' in magazines, on websites and in her blog: http://lifewiththeexbatts.wordpress.com/
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 7, 2022
This book feels a bit like The Good Life, but for owners of ex-battery hens. It explains what the battery hens have gone through and how - and why - they are rehomed. There is attention to their food and shelter requirements. It is a guide to helping these hens enjoy the rest of their lives.
This is not an academic book, but it is delightful and inspiring. I have never eaten caged hen eggs in my life, and would never start. But to see the conditions of the hens when they are rehomed? It makes me ponder the inhumanity of humans once more...
This is not an academic book, but it is delightful and inspiring. I have never eaten caged hen eggs in my life, and would never start. But to see the conditions of the hens when they are rehomed? It makes me ponder the inhumanity of humans once more...
October 15, 2018
Every girl .......
We collect out first girls on 18th November, 2018. We have had hens for 10 years. Our last beautiful PollyMarie passed away on Saturday last, in my arms and knowing we all adore her, 2 humans and 4 cats. We'd already booked our new girls and that is helping to blunt out grief, just.
Now we have no hens and our family had a huge hole in it. Our new girls were going for slaughter at approximately 18 to 24 months old, because commercial farms reckon their best laying days are behind them. This book has taught us what to expect when we collect and bring our girls home. What to look out for as they gradually learn to be hens again ,. Together we will explore our 1/4 acre garden, watching them discover a life they never knew existed, instead of being egg machines. They will lack for nothing. Now we know that they will need layers mash, warmed in winter please. Slowly in the Spring we can introduce them to layers pellets. Without this book, we would not have known we need to get mash in ready for them to have when they get home. We expect to have to show them where they are to sleep. They've never seen a bed just got them.
If you are thinking of homing some wonderful girls, as pets and as an integral part of your family, please read this book. If you aren't, then read this book, it might change your mind. If you would rather not have hens, but would like to help freeing girls from captivity and a very short life span, maybe you might consider a donation to one of the hen rescue charities.
From all hens, and their humans, thank you for reading my review. We hope it has given good for thought. No pun intended.
We collect out first girls on 18th November, 2018. We have had hens for 10 years. Our last beautiful PollyMarie passed away on Saturday last, in my arms and knowing we all adore her, 2 humans and 4 cats. We'd already booked our new girls and that is helping to blunt out grief, just.
Now we have no hens and our family had a huge hole in it. Our new girls were going for slaughter at approximately 18 to 24 months old, because commercial farms reckon their best laying days are behind them. This book has taught us what to expect when we collect and bring our girls home. What to look out for as they gradually learn to be hens again ,. Together we will explore our 1/4 acre garden, watching them discover a life they never knew existed, instead of being egg machines. They will lack for nothing. Now we know that they will need layers mash, warmed in winter please. Slowly in the Spring we can introduce them to layers pellets. Without this book, we would not have known we need to get mash in ready for them to have when they get home. We expect to have to show them where they are to sleep. They've never seen a bed just got them.
If you are thinking of homing some wonderful girls, as pets and as an integral part of your family, please read this book. If you aren't, then read this book, it might change your mind. If you would rather not have hens, but would like to help freeing girls from captivity and a very short life span, maybe you might consider a donation to one of the hen rescue charities.
From all hens, and their humans, thank you for reading my review. We hope it has given good for thought. No pun intended.
October 14, 2013
I keep ex-batts and this book was a wonderful celebration of these birds, as well as very useful and informative. Jo's love for her feathered friends shines through every page, and does total justice to just what enchanting creatures these hens are.
I've read many chicken books, but it is indispensable to have a specialist book for birds who were bred and raised in cages.
Cannot recommend highly enough. A beautiful book.
I've read many chicken books, but it is indispensable to have a specialist book for birds who were bred and raised in cages.
Cannot recommend highly enough. A beautiful book.
October 3, 2014
Anyone looking into getting some rescue hens should own this book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews