One subject very close to my heart in the plight of the battery hen. My introduction to hen keeping was over three years ago, when Chris and I took over our allotment. It was in a bit of a state and I thought the best thing to help clear and fertilise the land would be some hens.
After doing a bit of research I decided I would like to offer a home to some ex-battery hens. Chris made a lovely hen house and run for them and the day arrived for us to go and collect them from Lincolnshire. Chris thought I was mad going to all the expense involved of creating a home for them and spending 4 to 5 hours travelling to and fro collecting them.
He soon changed his mind when he saw them. They were thin, anaemic looking hens - hardly any feathers. I was shocked that I could see their bones. The lady who was re-homing them to us was really glad we were taking them and told us that she had kept the best looking ones for us, with us being new poultry keepers. I was so upset to hear this - goodness knows how awful the others had looked.
Three years down the line - those ladies have all sadly passed away - the time they had with us was time spent living a real hen's life - scratching around in the soil, feeling the warmth of the sun on their backs, dust-bathing and eating themselves silly. Granted they didn't like the rain or snow and simply took themselves off to their house for a little siesta.
Quite recently I felt the urge to take on some ex-battery hens and became involved with North London Hen Rescue.
After doing a bit of research I decided I would like to offer a home to some ex-battery hens. Chris made a lovely hen house and run for them and the day arrived for us to go and collect them from Lincolnshire. Chris thought I was mad going to all the expense involved of creating a home for them and spending 4 to 5 hours travelling to and fro collecting them.
He soon changed his mind when he saw them. They were thin, anaemic looking hens - hardly any feathers. I was shocked that I could see their bones. The lady who was re-homing them to us was really glad we were taking them and told us that she had kept the best looking ones for us, with us being new poultry keepers. I was so upset to hear this - goodness knows how awful the others had looked.
Three years down the line - those ladies have all sadly passed away - the time they had with us was time spent living a real hen's life - scratching around in the soil, feeling the warmth of the sun on their backs, dust-bathing and eating themselves silly. Granted they didn't like the rain or snow and simply took themselves off to their house for a little siesta.
Quite recently I felt the urge to take on some ex-battery hens and became involved with North London Hen Rescue.
The hens spend 50 weeks of their short lives cramped into metal battery cages. No room to move, no place to perch, no nesting boxes - no life basically. After that they are classed as 'spent' birds - they have basically been forced into churning out egg after egg for the cheap egg market and then they are sold for a pittance to the people who process their flesh.
The next rescue of ex-battery hens is due to take place in a couple of weeks. I am proud to say I am helping to assist in co-ordinating in the South Yorkshire area.
No hen, regardless of whether it is battery, barn or free-range, is discriminated against.
The next rescue of ex-battery hens is due to take place in a couple of weeks. I am proud to say I am helping to assist in co-ordinating in the South Yorkshire area.
No hen, regardless of whether it is battery, barn or free-range, is discriminated against.
12 comments:
Hi Greta, I have spent some time geting caught up with your blog and am inspired as usual! I love the idea of giving the battery hens a new life. I think if everyone saw how we produce eggs, meat, etc., we would change the way we do things dramatically.
I have noticed you use the word "allotment" to refer to your land. Is that the same meaning as our calling it property? I looked the word up and a tertiary meaning of the word is land rented to a gardener.
Don - thank you for your kind words.
Just to let you know allotment is a strip of land normally rented to the 'tenant' by either a local government council or by a private allotment society. My allotment is near the back of my home and is a piece of land measuring 150 feet by about 25 feet. Enough to keep hens and to grow some vegetables - and some fetching weeds as well!!!
In WWII allotments were very popular as people were encouraged to grow vegetables and keep poultry and livestock.
Hello,
I notice that we have some favourite sites in common.
We started with ten ex-battery hens and I think looking after them is one of the most rewarding things you can do. I'm in the North Yorkshire Smallholders Society and we organise rehoming ex-batts direct from a local farm. The farmer lets us know when he has some ready.
A friend of mine looks after any that look too awful until they are fit to be seen by first-time chicken keepers - we don't want people to be put off right from the start and it's better for the hens.
Hi Greta, how's things?
I managed to rehome 5 hens (they were freerange) ok, but now one of our older ones is probably not going to make it through the next day or 2.
:(
But, on a slightly brighter note...
...I thought I'd let you know I've 'tagged' you on my blog, but don't feel obliged to do it.
:D
Hi Greta,
I think you are doing a great thing here. Sadly a lot of people don't know about where their food came from or they just don't care as long as it's cheap.
Regards,
YD
Hey Greta, hope your and yours are all enjoying the sunshine. I have an award for you back on my blog. I have also tagged you like stiggy!! I look forward to seeing your next post! XX
Good luck with the rescue coming up, I have donated some money to Carly to help buy you guys some crates to transport the girls from the farm to their new homes, its been named after me so look out for Karen Crate !
Its a truly wonderful thing that you are all doing, say hi to Carly for me :D
xx
I hope the coming rescue is a success and all goes smoothly with as many being rehoused to lead happy lives.
Hi Greta
Thanks so much for the help you gave us when rescuing our new girls!
Also, many thanks for the link to our website, we've had visitors already
Love
Toni
Hi Greta,
I wonder if you or anyone here can help me? I would like to give a loving home to 4 or 5 ex-battery hens. I live in North Yorkshire near Pickering and wondered if there was a local co-ordinator around here at all. The nearest BHWT is in Lincolnshire and I just wondered if there was anything up here?
Kind Regards
Lynne
Lynne -
The lady who is your nearest co-ordinator for NLHR is Heather, who is based in Knaresborough. The next rescue is October and we are hoping to be able to get a number of hens up to Yorkshire. May I suggest that you visit the website www.northlondonhenrescue.org.uk, complete an application form and we will definitely organise some hens for you from the October rescue. If you want any other information please do not hesitate to contact me.
Many thanks Greta,
I have filled in an application form (fingers crossed!!)
Lynne
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