OVER 1,500 hens have been saved from slaughter in Warwickshire this year, thanks to a rescue charity.
The hens were all ex-layers rehomed by the British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) at adoption days held across 2021.
Every year the BHWT saves 60,000 hens from slaughter. The hens are around 18 months old – the age where they become commercially nonviable from an egg-laying perspective, and are sent for slaughter.
However, if rehomed, they will continue to lay eggs and, according to the charity, become affectionate, friendly pets that can naturally live for up to 12 years.
Charity founder Jane Howorth said: “Adopted hens can become their keeper’s new best friend. They will return any love shown to them in spades and enjoy nothing more than following their new owners around and snuggling up for cuddles.
“We all know that the past two years have been tough for charities like us, so I’d like to say an extra special thank you to everyone who has opened their home and their heart to one of our beautiful girls this year. When you adopt a hen, you’re not just giving them a new home you’re literally saving their life.”
Since its establishment in 2005, the charity has arranged adoption for over 850,000 ex-commercial hens, all of which were destined for slaughter.
It now has has 44 pop-up collection points across the UK with over 1,000 volunteers dedicated to sparing the lives of ex-laying hens.
While the outbreak of Avian Influenza has currently stopped hen rehomings, the BHWT will be back up and running early next year.
Anyone wanting to be the early bird and adopt a spring chicken or two can sign up to be notified of the next rehoming day in Warwickshire by visiting www.bhwt.org.uk/hen-adoption/hen-adoption-dates-locations.
