Can you give ex-commercial hens a new lease of life? If so, Sturminster Newton local Haidy Mansfield wants to hear from you.

The non-profit Fresh Start for Hens will be holding a rehoming event for ex-commercial hens on February 25 in Sturminster Newton, and we’re looking for people with a passion for hens to offer these girls a chance at a new life.

Commercially, all laying hens are slaughtered at the age of 72 weeks, when their egg production drops slightly. Fresh Start for Hens works closely with British farmers and purchases hens from the caged, barn and free-range systems just before their slaughter date. A laying hen can naturally live for many years. My oldest lady, Blossom, rescued in 2018, is now coming up to six years old and is still happy and healthy. Most of my girls are over four years old and some still lay daily.

In practical terms, you’ll need to provide a run that’s secure enough to keep out predators and shelter your hens from the elements. It should have dry areas, perches and a dust bath. Your hens will need somewhere cosy to sleep and lay eggs. For four hens, Fresh Start for Hens recommends a space 3m x 2m and high enough for you to stand up in. Enrichment is easy to provide: an old tyre filled with dry soil and ash makes a perfect a dust bath, pallets create different levels and branches work as perches.

Hens can, sometimes, require vet’HEN’ary care and Fresh Start for Hens asks all rehomers to commit to providing this when required. We are blessed in Sturminster to have great vets who understand hens.
Rehoming hens may seem a daunting prospect, but it really isn’t. The basic requirement is a caring and compassionate attitude. If you have that then you will happily put in place what is needed for them to live long and healthy life.

If you’d like to offer a home to one or more of the 3,400 hens that will be ready for rehoming from Sturminster Newton on February 25, you’ll need to first register your interest online at www.freshstartforhens.co.uk. You’ll need to complete a short online form, submit a photograph of your coop and free-range area for vetting and agree to a donation of £2.75 per hen.

I’m always happy to offer advice and support to hen keepers, so do check out my website www.belleandfleur.org or find me on Facebook.