Adopt a hen - Banburyshire poultry lovers asked to save hens from slaughter
Banbury area poultry keepers are asked to help save 250 hens from slaughter this weekend.
An appeal has been launched in a bid to find homes for 250 free-range hens which have ended their commercial laying lives.
The Beitish Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) will be rehoming the chickens at Didcot this Sunday, August 16. Those wishing to give some of these birds – who will continue to lay for years – a home should register as soon as possible and by 2pm on Friday at the latest.
“They make amazing pets,” said Jon Joy, a BHWT volunteer who regularly helps at the Didcot site. “People can worry about the unknowns of keeping hens but they’re friendly, inquisitive and surprisingly low-maintenance. They give so much back.
“Each hen has a completely different personality and once you bring them home you quickly realise what wonderful pets they make.”
The birds are healthy ex-commercial, free-range hens approaching the end of their working lives in the egg industry.
At around 18 months old, they still have plenty of life, character and eggs to give. Without enough confirmed homes, they may otherwise go to slaughter.
New keepers need a secure hen house and outside area, food, water and a little TLC. BHWT will guide first-time adopters and the full collection address is supplied after a reservation is confirmed.
To reserve hens online see this page and scroll down to Didcot – or call 01884 860084.
To find out more about the work done by the British Hen Welfare Trust see here.