The alarm went off at 7am this morning – a bit earlier than normal for a Saturday but it was for a very good reason. Today we helped the British Hen Welfare Trust at one of their rehoming days in Lancashire where around 800 girls left their cages and started their new lives.
I wrote a blog last week about rehoming days and how I was always tempted to bring new hens home, usually the poorly ones. I’m not admitting that I was planning to bring more girls home today but I did put my pet carrier in the boot next to my wellies! The last time I got some new hens was in November 2015 – 2 white barn girls, Camilla and Nora. I only have four hens in my flock at the moment so there was definitely room for a few more. I always keep my eye out for any poorly girls that need some intensive care and these are the ones that I usually end up bringing home. Taking home the ‘poorlies’ is something I love doing even though it can be difficult emotionally. Over the years I’ve learnt that whether it’s minutes, hours or days, any time these girls have out of the cages is precious. I’m really lucky that I have an amazing vets, Avian Veterinary Services (Northwich) and knowing I have them there to help is one of the reasons that I can keep bringing these girls home.
As the girls were taken out of the cages today any of them who looked like they needed an extra bit of TLC were separated. One of the girls we saw was on the floor of the cage not moving, she was very hot and didn’t look well. As I carried her out of the shed I knew that she would be coming home with me – this was new girl number 1. A few hens later, I got another girl out who was missing most of the feathers on her wings and in a bad state. I’d already got one new girl so why not another? This was new girl number 2.
Two new girls were enough for now, I hadn’t told my husband Ben I was taking these girls but I think he knew the odds of me going home today without any hens was very slim! As we were packing the last girls into the vans, he came out of the shed with a hen and said that we were taking her home too – new girl number 3! He’d already named her Stevie and if like I did you’re wondering ‘Why Stevie?!’, then have a look at my other post here!
The girls are taken from the farm to two locations, Haslingden and St Helens. They’re unpacked from the crates and this is when they experience their first moments of true freedom. The hens are around 18 months of age when they’re rescued and due to the confines of the cages, up until now have never really been able to fully exhibit their natural behaviour. It always amazes me that even after having spent most of their lives in a cage, as soon as they are unpacked and in an environment where they can be hens, they’re scratching, flapping and dust bathing within minutes.
I love rehoming days. As usual I was pecked and pooped on but the cages are the only things these girls have ever known. They have no idea that there are hundreds of people waking up on rehoming day full of excitement because they’re coming to collect these gorgeous hens and give them the retirement they truly deserve.
I’m looking forward to starting my journey with the three new girls I brought home yesterday. One of them is quite poorly so I don’t how things are going to turn out for her. If you’d like to follow their stories then check back for new posts or why not subscribe so you don’t miss any? Keep an eye out for updates on Facebook and Twitter too.
Happy hen keeping! Sam x
0 comments on “It’s Rehoming Day!”Add yours →