Hen rehoming trust hits half-a-million-bird milestone
Jane Howorth with the Elliot family, who received the 500,000th hen rehomed by the trust A charity which rehomes spent hens, giving them a second lease of life, has reached a milestone, rehousing its 500,000th bird.
The British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) said “Dee” – named after the Roman numeral for 500,000 – was taken from a commercial farm in the West Midlands in mid-January and adopted by a family.
The charity, which last year celebrated 10 years in operation, works to lift the welfare of hens by taking them from farms when their laying drops off, usually at about 70 weeks.
See also: MBE for hen rehoming charity founder
Instead of being taken for slaughter, they are then offered as pets for the garden, where they can live for a number of years and continue to produce eggs.
Founder Jane Howorth, who was made an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list, says the charity has always set out to support the UK poultry industry.
“I have championed the battery hen since I was 17,” she told Poultry World. “They are the undervalued underdogs of the domesticated animal world.
“I’m incredibly grateful to all the people that have helped to make it happen, especially our wonderful volunteers and of course the charity’s supporters who have adopted our gorgeous feathered friends over the years.”
Ms Howorth added her charity’s work had helped establish the idea of poultry as a pet, encouraged businesses such as Helmann’s to switch to using free-range eggs, and helped build a link between welfare and commerce.
Chef Jamie Oliver, who is a patron of the charity, said: “The British Hen Welfare Trust has always supported the British egg industry whilst carrying out their work.
“I like their positive campaign style and introducing kids to the joys of hen keeping provides a valuable lesson in where our food comes from. Good on ’em and congratulations!”