HUNDREDS of hard-working hens are hoping to enjoy their first Christmas outside a cage if enough people come forward to save them from slaughter.
The British Hen Welfare Trust is appealing to the East Hampshire public to come forward and offer up their back gardens to a small flock of ex-battery hens so they can enjoy Christmas as part of a loving family, rather than the grim alternative.
There are 400 hens hoping to avoid the slaughter lorry, and they’ll be re-homed in Denmead on Sunday, December 17.
The hens are 18 months old and are being sent to slaughter because their egg laying may have slowed down or become somewhat irregular. However, the friendly hens will often carry on popping out eggs for their new owners to enjoy for some time to come.
Hampshire co-ordinator Laura McCulloch said: “Christmas is a feel-good time of year, and nothing is more rewarding than knowing you’ve saved lives by re-homing these hens.
“They’re the most wonderful pets, and I’d urge anyone considering adopting some ex-bats to simply do it and make more Christmas wishes come true.
“We haven’t been able to re-home hens from Denmead for some time and are very pleased to be back in the area finding these girls loving retirement homes. We hope to see you there.”
To re-home some hens simply register your details at www.bhwt.org.uk and then call 01884 860084 to speak to the charity’s re-homing team who will tell you everything you need to know.
The charity was established in 2005 by Jane Howorth and is Britain’s first registered charity for re-homing laying hens.
Jane Howorth was awarded an MBE in the 2016 New Year’s Honours list.
In the UK there are approximately 16 million hens kept in colony cages. The charity has so far found retirement homes for over 600,000 caged hens, all of which were destined for slaughter.
The charity has collection points across the UK and is helped by more than 600 volunteers. It also educates consumers about caged eggs hidden in processed foods, like pasta, quiches and mayonnaise.