THOUSANDS of hens saved from slaughter are desperately seeking homes.
Volunteers from organisation ‘Fresh Start For Hens’ are looking to home former egg laying hens who would otherwise be killed at 18-months-old rather than live out their average eight year life span.
The charity works closely with British farmers and purchases the hens from the caged, barn and free range systems, just before their slaughter date.
New owners can collect hens from a number of collection points including one in Southam on Saturdays May 12 and 19.
Since it was founded ten years ago, the charity has rehomed hens in country gardens, allotments, schools and residential care homes.
It also aims to encourage people to buy free range eggs.
Volunteer Julie Torode said: “Commercially, all laying hens are slaughtered at the age of 72-78 weeks, when their production drops slightly.
“Their carcasses are worth very little and are usually sold for dog food, baby food or cheap, processed pies.
“You don’t need to have a big garden to keep a few hens, they will be grateful for the additional years of freedom you can offer them and reward you with their entertaining antics and probably an egg or two.”
Visit www.fsfh.org.uk to reserve hens for £2.50 each and for more details on the collection point.
Hens will not be rehomed to people planning to sell them on or for further commercial purposes.
