RESCUE HENS

On commercial egg farms, hens are replaced at 17-18 months old, when their egg laying rate drops to less than one egg per day. Since 2005, the British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) has been rehoming these ‘retired’ birds to small-scale, back garden chicken keepers. The chickens are available for a small donation per bird during specified ‘rehoming weekend’ collection events at farms around the UK. The chickens are all brown hybrids, making good pets that will still produce a reliable supply of eggs. They have typically been housed in large cages in barns, so are initially unfamiliar with free-range conditions. A little training will be needed to teach them to take shelter from the rain. These chickens may have bald patches when first rehomed, but the feathers will rapidly regrow. The BHWT also provides a wealth of support and information for new chicken keepers via its website and Hen Helpline. For more information, visit www.bhwt.org.uk