Eggs-tra special hen in need of a home

A HEN is in need of a new home and you could be the lucky person to take the eggs-tra special bird in.

National hen welfare charity, the British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT), is on track to soon rehome its 500,000th hen.

The charity will be a holding a pop-up hen collection in Thurcroft on January 23, for hundreds of ex-commercial laying hens that would otherwise be destined for slaughter and is looking for permanent, caring, free range homes.

The half-a-millionth hen is called Dee because D is 500,000 in roman numerals, and the lucky person to adopt her will not only have the satisfaction of saving her life, but will also benefit from a package of goodies, designed to help Dee and a few of her friends settle happily into free-range life.  

The package will include a year’s worth of feed supply, and a trendy hen house coop.

Jane Howorth, BHWT founder said: “We are seriously excited about Dee now, we know she is coming out in January and she will be one of the lucky hens at one of our hen collections during the month.”

Rotherham co-ordinator, Louise Addy, told us: “To think the BHWT has given 500,000 commercial hens this opportunity is mind-blowing and wherever Dee comes out I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of such a wonderful charity.”

The charity, which rehomes commercial laying hens, and encourages support for the British egg industry, also aims to educate the public on how they can make a difference to hen welfare through making simple changes to their shopping habits. 

A BHWT spokeswoman said: “While consumers will often select free-range eggs to use in baking and cooking, they are unaware of just how many eggs are used in processed food products and checking food labels is the best way to select high welfare eggs wherever they are used.” 

For the opportunity to give Dee, and a few of her friends, a second chance call the charity on 01884 860084 or email [email protected]. 

Hens need to be reserved in advance of collection, and directions to the re-homing site will be given upon registration.

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

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