Background into our rescue hens

In the egg laying industry, farmers feed hens low nutritional food, which is high in calcium and other additives, and sometimes drugs. This all goes towards increasing their egg laying amount, meaning more money for the farmer.

After the chicken is 2 years old, their egg laying production significantly reduces. Because this means less profit for the farmer, they often slaughter the hens, and the meat is often cheaply sold to the pet industry for pet food.

Their Rescue!

Thankfully, there is charities and individuals, such as Emma below who runs The Chronicles of the Crazy Rescue Chooks who rescue these chickens. These charities buy the chickens off the farmers so that the farmers profits are covered, and then take them home to a safe space. They then work hard to find a new home for over 1000 chickens each time.

New life on the farm

Southampton City Farm has recently had a brand new enclosure built by B&Q. This new large enclosure has been carefully prepared over the last few weeks ready to offer the rescue hens a new home.

They arrived 15/07/23, just a day before they were due to be slaughtered. They are now happily scratching away around their new enclosure, eating good food, and having some treats from our garden such as kale.

They are looking rather "scruffy" at the moment (we still think they are beautiful), all because of the stress of their previous home, as well as the poor nutrition. Now they are on the farm, their feathers will grow back, their beaks will grow back, and they will be so much happier.

Your support and what it will do

If you wanted to donate towards our campaign, the money will go a long way to covering our vet bills for these beautiful hens, as well as buying their food, and new enrichment toys for around their enclosure! Every penny will go towards making sure these beautiful girls have the very best life on the farm.