Hen rehoming charity founder made MBE

The founder of a charity that has rehomed almost half a million spent hens from commercial poultry units has been made an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List.

Jane Howorth, who set up the British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) in 2005, was recognised by the Queen for her charitable work.

The BHWT has grown in 10 years from a one-woman outfit into a national operation, promoting hen welfare and free-range farming.

It primarily takes end-of-lay hens from caged units and offers them as pets. While the birds do not lay enough to be commercially viable, they can continue to provide eggs for several years.  

See also: More on the British Hen Welfare Trust

The concept has proved exceptionally popular, with almost half a million rehoused to date. Supporting the British egg industry and efforts to improve welfare are a key part of the charity’s philosophy.

Ms Howorth said the award was recognition of the dedication of her volunteers, and those in the poultry industry who had worked with her. “I was surprised, thrilled and honoured to have been recognised for the work we do to improve hen welfare,” she told Poultry World.

“We have also made significant strides in raising consumer awareness about the prevalence of cheap foreign eggs from caged hens used in processed food, and in encouraging support for British free-range egg farmers.”