A national hen rehoming charity is appealing to the people of Swindon to save almost 200 hens from being sent to slaughter this weekend.

The British Hen Welfare Trust has rehomed over one million laying hens to gardens, schools and even prisons across the UK.

The charity has been on a mission to save the lives of 300 Swindon hens this weekend. However, 185 are still without homes meaning they risk being sent to slaughter.

Hens will be available to collect at a collection point in South Marston on Sunday, December 1.

A spokesperson for the Trust said: "We are urgently appealing to kind-hearted members of the public with room in their back garden to rehome some ex-commercial hens, so avoiding their alternative fate.

"These hens have laid eggs on commercial farms for approximately 18 months before their egg laying slows down, meaning they become commercially unviable and so are sent to slaughter and used in pet food, soups and stocks."

The charity aims to educate consumers about caged eggs hidden in processed foods, like pasta, quiches, cakes and mayonnaise so they can make an informed choice when shopping.

There are 48 collection points across the UK supported by 1,400 volunteers in an effort to rehome as many of the 16 million hens kept in colony cages in the UK.

Jane Howorth MBE, Founder & CEO of the BHWT said: "This time of year can be a little dark and gloomy so why not add some extra cheer to your back garden in the form of some feathered friends.

"They are truly life-enriching, as proven by over 50% of our rehomers who have adopted hens more than once and, better yet, you'll get an egg or two for your breakfast. What other pet can offer that tasty treat?"

Jane established the charity in 2005 as Britain's first registered charity for rehoming laying hens and was awarded an MBE in the 2016 New Year's Honours list for her efforts.

The one-millionth hen saved by the BHWT, Henrietta, was rehomed by King Charles III at Highgrove Gardens in Gloucestershire on Saturday, August 17.

Read more about the charity and how to rehome a hen here.

Help support trusted local news

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber, you will get:            

  • Unlimited access to the Swindon Advertiser website        
  • Advert-light access             
  • Reader rewards             
  • Full access to our app