Charity seeks happy homes in Wexford for rescued hens
AN animal welfare charity is appealing to people across Wexford to take in rescued chickens. Throughout October, LittleHill Animal Rescue and Sanctuary will bring hundreds of ex-commercial hens to various towns in the county for adoption, in what will be their most ambitious rescue effort to date.
These chickens are currently residing in small cages at a commercial egg farm. At such farms, hens are kept until they reach just over a year old, at which point their egg yield drops slightly.
‘This small reduction means that a hen might lay five or six eggs per week, instead of seven,’ said Susan Anderson, founder of the charity. ‘You or I wouldn’t notice this, but to a commercial farm, it means that the hen is no longer profitable to keep.’
Thus, egg-laying hens are sent to the abattoir at this young age to make way for a more productive flock. That is, of course, unless someone steps in to save and rehome them. For the past six years, LittleHill Animal Rescue and Sanctuary has been rescuing and hens from a number of Irish egg farms, and finding caring homes for them around the country, so that they Pictures by Niamh Cubie
can go on to experience long and happy lives.
In fact, many of these rescued hens can be expected to live for a few more years, providing eggs almost every day and making surprisingly good pets.
Already, hundreds of compassionate people throughout county Wexford have decided to make space in their lives for these creatures. Here, The Wexford People spoke to four of them, to glean their experiences near Enniscorthy.
‘Seeing them roaming around in the garden while they experience sunlight and grass for the first time does something to you,’ added Meike Wald. ‘They seem nearly thankful and know we have given them a second chance.’
Many adopters also report the transformations that their hens go through after their arrival. ‘It’s very rewarding to see shy, bald hens transform into brave hens with full coats. They are such characters and watching their personalities grow is great to see,’ explained Shelly Berry from Kilmuckridge.
‘My hens are unrecognisable from what they were when we first took them in, both physically and behaviourally,’ added Kate Peatling, based in Fethard on Sea. ‘They’ve changed from sad, bald, timid little hens to fluffy-bummed dinosaurs. They are so entertaining.’
So, what do prospective adopters need to do before getting their own fluffy-bummed dinosaurs? Padraig explains that you need a fox-proof chicken coop, or a shed that can be locked at night, and a fenced outdoor area that they can roam about in during the day. ‘After this initial set up, every day is a piece of cake looking after the girls!’ he said.
LittleHill’s volunteers will bring hens to Enniscorthy and Gorey on October 12, Bunclody on the 13th, Wexford town on the 19th, Camolin on the 26th and New Ross on the 27 th.
To book your very own feathered companions, potential adopters must send a private message to the charity’s Facebook page, LittleHill Animal Rescue & Sanctuary, stating the pick-up location, date and the number of hens they would like to adopt. Those without a Facebook account can ask a friend or relative to book on their behalf.
To cover the expenses associated with these rescue efforts, the charity asks for an adoption fee of €6 per hen.