Cluck up the courage to give a hen a home is the plea from an animal charity ahead of an ex-battery hen rehoming event.
The British Hen Welfare Trust is organising another hen rehoming event in Coventry on Saturday, January 9.
Hundreds of former commercial egg-laying hens will be brought from battery farms to a location in Allesley to be handed to new owners.
Coventry co-ordinator for the charity, Ian Farrar, said: “After receiving so many gifts at Christmas, January is a great time to consider re-homing some of our gorgeous girls, it’s a nice way to give a little something back.
“Ex-bats are naturally amiable and simple to keep making them ideal pets for families and first-time chicken keepers.
“If you haven’t adopted hens before, it’s incredibly rewarding and the feel-good factor in saving lives is simply unbeatable.”
The hens available for rehoming are all about 18 months old. At that age they can no longer be guaranteed to lay eggs every day.
That makes them no use to battery farmers. But they usually produce a steady supply of eggs for their new owners.
The event follows on from a similar one organised by the charity in November.
Hens need a hen house which can be a converted shed or a purpose built structure.
They also need outdoor space. They need to be kept safe from foxes looking for an easy chicken dinner.
They are social creatures happiest living in groups. They need regular worming along with regular checks for lice and mites in their feathers.
The charity is asking those can’t accommodate former battery hens to help with hen welfare by buying free-range eggs for cooking and baking. And by choosing processed food which contains free range rather than battery farmed eggs.
People rehoming hens are asked to make a donation for each one they adopt. Most people donate £4 to £5 which helps to cover the charity’s rehoming costs.
The charity will reveal the exact location of the event when you ring up to register. The number to ring is 01884 860084. The e-mail address is
hens@bhwt.co.uk