Animal lovers in Redbridge are being invited to help hundreds of former laying hens begin new lives, as the British Hen Welfare Trust builds its volunteer team at a new Ilford rehoming site.
The British Hen Welfare Trust, founded by Jane Howorth MBE, rehomes laying hens at the end of their commercial laying cycle, giving them the chance to enjoy a joyful retirement in gardens, allotments and smallholdings instead of being sent for slaughter.
The charity is looking for practical, animal-loving volunteers who can spare occasional weekend mornings to help prepare the site (nearest Tube, Barkingside) check hens on arrival and safely hand them over to their new families.
“Most of these hens have never seen grass or the sun before,” said Andy Hill from the charity. “Being able to give them the chance of a happy life in someone’s garden is incredibly rewarding.”
No previous hen-keeping experience is needed, and new volunteers are shown what to do by the local team.
“It’s quite hands-on but it’s great fun,” says Andy Hill from the British Hen Welfare Trust. “There’s a real sense of teamwork on the day, we all get along great, and it’s lovely seeing the hens head off to their new homes.”
“We’d especially love to hear from people who might be able to help with transport,” he continues. “Being able to bring more hens here means we can give more birds the chance of a better life, so anybody with a van would be a huge bonus.”
These hens have spent their lives working tirelessly laying eggs for us to buy in the supermarket. But now they have reached 18 months old, they are at the end of their commercial life; however, the BHWT knows they have so much more to give which is why they deserve a second chance at a free-range retirement.
Anyone interested in volunteering can email volunteer@bhwt.org.uk or call 01884 860084.
