Hunt for new hen “houses”

LOUISE Addy is hosting a very different kind of hen party this weekend as she aims to rehome hundreds of birds that have been saved from the slaughterhouse.

Hen keeper and new British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) Rotherham co-ordinator Louise will open up her Thurcroft home for her first hen collection day on Saturday.

But anyone interested in having a hen as a pet must register by noon tomorrow.

Katy Woof from BHWT said: “We have rescued thousands of birds from slaughter at the end of their commercial life and are now working against the clock to find them homes this weekend.

“We don’t reveal the exact location of the hen collection until the member of public has called to register and reserve their hens.”

The charity rehomes commercial laying hens, educates the public about hen welfare, and encourages support for the British egg industry.

Since its launch in 2005, BHWT has re-homed more than 450,000 from over 30 pop-up locations run by volunteers across the UK.

The hens are all commercial hybrids - Lohman Browns, Goldlines, Hylines or Isas.

They are around 17 months old and are off to slaughter because they are deemed no longer commercially viable as they may be laying fewer eggs.

As well as hens from enriched cages, with 40 to 90 hens per cage, the charity also collects barn hens and some free range hens.

Katy said: “These hybrid hens are bred for docility and you will find they are gentle, inquisitive and friendly, eating out of your hand and following you around the garden - and into the house if you let them.”

The opening of the new pop-up re-homing location in Thurcroft was only made possible due to Louise.

Database administrator Louise (41) said: “I approached the BHWT early this year because I saw a need for a hen collection point in my area.

“Thankfully, the charity agreed and the first hens are now due.”

Louise, who has kept hens for six years, added: “Keeping chickens as pets is great fun.

“They have such mischievous personalities, children love them and you get your own supply of fresh laid eggs.

“I’m thrilled to be hosting the first of hopefully many hen collections this weekend and look forward to seeing everyone, hens included.”

There is no set fee but the charity asks for a £5 donation per hen.

The charity cannot guarantee the future laying capability of any individual hen, but most will carry on laying, and while eggs will increase in size over time they will decrease in numbers.

A hen is around the size of a football so the charity said they need to be transported home in a straw/newspaper-lined cat carrier, dog crate or similar sized sturdy cardboard box with horizontal ventilation slits around an inch big.

They can be housed in a shed, outbuilding, purpose-built hen house or a coop.

For more information visit www.bhwt.org.uk.

Hens need to be reserved by calling Hen Central 01884 860084 or email [email protected] before noon tomorrow.