BATTERY HENS
Hen Rehomers UK work together with battery farmers to give chickens a second chance. Throughout the year they work alongside farmers to organise mass rescue operations, saving up to 2,500 hens at a time from slaughter.
As battery hens there is not even space in their cage for them to open their wings. In the tiny space allotted to them, no bigger than a sheet of A4 paper, all their natural instincts are suppressed. Many hens get in such a bad way that they will even begin to mutilate themselves. When rescued they are often threadbare and may look quite frail, though they are basically healthy.
However, it is only a matter of hours after their release before they start to recover. Within days they become lively engaging creatures. After a few weeks, new feathers will start to grow and they soon become beautiful lively birds. Even though they are "spent" from a commercial point of view, they are still young birds and in a kind, domestic setting they can thrive for many years.
Chickens are very easy to look after – no harder than rabbits - they need food and water every day, shelter, cleaning out and a bit of stimulation. They need a safe fox-proof place to sleep at night and an outdoor area where they can scratch about - a minimum of 8 square feet per hen. Mass produced coups are now available if you don’t want to build your own. It is best to have about 3 birds together for them to be happy.
Most ex-battery hens lay well for several years, but this cannot be guaranteed. If you want chickens just for eggs, ex-batterries are not for you. Some may not lay after they are rescued. They make excellent pets, so treat any eggs as a bonus!
For more information on how to rehome hens click here and for information on the 'Battery Hens Welfare Trust' click here.
As battery hens there is not even space in their cage for them to open their wings. In the tiny space allotted to them, no bigger than a sheet of A4 paper, all their natural instincts are suppressed. Many hens get in such a bad way that they will even begin to mutilate themselves. When rescued they are often threadbare and may look quite frail, though they are basically healthy.
However, it is only a matter of hours after their release before they start to recover. Within days they become lively engaging creatures. After a few weeks, new feathers will start to grow and they soon become beautiful lively birds. Even though they are "spent" from a commercial point of view, they are still young birds and in a kind, domestic setting they can thrive for many years.
Chickens are very easy to look after – no harder than rabbits - they need food and water every day, shelter, cleaning out and a bit of stimulation. They need a safe fox-proof place to sleep at night and an outdoor area where they can scratch about - a minimum of 8 square feet per hen. Mass produced coups are now available if you don’t want to build your own. It is best to have about 3 birds together for them to be happy.
Most ex-battery hens lay well for several years, but this cannot be guaranteed. If you want chickens just for eggs, ex-batterries are not for you. Some may not lay after they are rescued. They make excellent pets, so treat any eggs as a bonus!
For more information on how to rehome hens click here and for information on the 'Battery Hens Welfare Trust' click here.
