Hens seek new homes as charity appeals for adopters

The British Hen Welfare Trust is arranging rehoming in South Marston for hundreds of 18-month-old ex-commercial hens, with a public rehoming event on February 8 and an adoption deadline of February 6.

The British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) has launched an appeal to rehome hundreds of ex-commercial hens in South Marston. The birds are about 18 months old and have reached the end of their commercial egg-laying life. The charity says the hens can make good pets and still produce the occasional egg. The BHWT organised the effort and published details for those interested in rehoming. Key details: - The rehoming drive is focused on South Marston and is being organised by the British Hen Welfare Trust. - The birds are ex-commercial laying hens, approximately 18 months old. - The charity has set an appeal deadline of Friday, February 6, and plans a rehoming event on Sunday, February 8. - The BHWT published adoption information, including a website (bhwt.org.uk/hen-adoption) and a phone number (01884 860084). - The British Hen Welfare Trust was founded in 2005 by Jane Howorth and is the UK's first registered charity dedicated to rehoming commercial laying hens; it marked rehoming its one millionth hen last year with His Majesty King Charles III. Summary: The appeal aims to place the hens into garden homes where they can live outside commercial systems rather than return to commercial processing. The charity has noted an adoption deadline of February 6 and plans a rehoming event on February 8. The longer-term outcome for each bird will depend on rehoming availability following the event.