Fowl Play

Fresh Start for Hens, a charity that rehomes chickens which started in London in 2008, said it had over 52, 000 requests for hens since lockdown began. The charity saves birds that have reached the end of their peak laying years and would face being slaughtered. Jaki Hann, Operations director said the huge demand was sparked by a shortage of eggs in shops in March.

Mrs. Hann has more than 80 hens living in a large run in her back garden in Kent. She along with her fellow volunteers have dealt with far greater numbers of birds since March.

Fresh Start for Hens is offering an alternative to slaughter when hens get past 72 weeks, taking hens from farmers and other commercial operations and delivering them to households.

She said “This week I’m organising a handover of 332 hens, so it is going to be a busy one. I am also trying to find homes for 800 ducks from a Somerset farm. When the UK lockdown began in March eggs, like toilet roll, were suddenly in short supply. We had to introduce a waiting list for the first time and so far we have had  9,480 people register, requesting a total of 52, 106 hens. We are getting about 4, 000 enquires a week”.

The charity said potential chicken owners would need fox-proof accommodation that could be locked at night and two square meters o open space per bird.