Keeping ex-battery hens in can be so gratifying, it can have its challenges, but you should never tire of the daily egg hunt from your friendly flock. If you are sensible, they won't ruin your garden - in fact, they are one of the best defenses against slugs and bugs. They get on fine with pet cats too. They're great with children as long as they don't chase and poke them! When you go away, if you've got a secure run, they're easy for a neighbor or friend to look after.
Watching them progress from sorrowful, pallid, scraggly, thin and slightly bemused animals to glossy-feathered, chatty, active, healthy ladies is an absolute joy. And don't forget the fresh eggs - until you've cooked with your own home-produced free-range eggs, you won't realize what wonderful benefits they have over supermarket eggs.
If you are keen to acquire hens that have been rescued from battery farms then continue reading for some information and advice.
Where the Battery hens that need re homing come from.
There are approximately 19 million battery hens laying eggs in the UK. At about 74 weeks old when they are past the height of their yield they become what are called spent hens and will go to slaughter. Battery hens are slaughtered, when their production drops below the number required to make them commercially profitable. These carcasses are worth very little and used in chicken pies, soups and some times for pet food. The farmers occasionally get a small amount of money for these but it's no longer worth their while financially to keep the hens alive
Many spent hens are perfectly good layers for the typical smallholder or family and can be successfully re-homed.
Organizations to contact for Rescue Battery Hens.
If you would like to give a spent hen a good home you can contact a number of organizations who organize the re homing. For example:
Battery Hen Welfare Trust. mall central sales They work in co-operation with various farms across the country to rescue ex-battery hens from slaughter and provide them with good homes.
Little Hen Rescue. They have successfully re homed thousands of battery hens. The hens are due for slaughter unless they're homed, sometimes because the farms are closing.
If you are considering having hens or have room for a few more, or know someone that can take them on, please get in contact with one of the organizations to organize your re homing.
Accommodation for hens.
When choosing accommodation the number of hens and the space available are the main issues. The hen house always needs to be sturdy and secure to protect the hens from any prowling foxes or badgers.
When choosing a house we advise you buy one to suit more hens than you actually intend to keep. For example, if you want six hens, we would advise you buy a house to accommodate at least eight hens. This will make sure they have plenty of space not only to roost and nest, but also to take shelter from the weather during the day.
There are houses that are static with attached runs and others which are movable. You will need to assess the best option for you taking into account that hens like to peck and scratch grass - the bigger the run you can give them the better, not only for their own enjoyment, but also to keep the ground they are ranging in good condition.Many people choose to adapt a standard garden shed with perches and nest boxes. As a guide a 6' x 4' shed will comfortably accommodate 12 - 15 hens.