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Hen adoption FAQs

You’re hopefully getting very excited about having your girls come to live with you, and rightly so, they really are wonderful pets. Before you collect them we want you to be well prepared, so have a good look at some of our frequently asked questions below. Or, use the search facility to find an answer to any questions you might have. Happy hen keeping!

If you’re new to us as a BHWT adopter then we ask you to complete an online questionnaire as part of the application process. This will help us understand your level of hen keeping experience and proposed new hen keeping set-up, and if it is safe for your new hens. Once you have completed the questionnaire and sent it to us, you will then need to call us on 01884 860084 to chat through any issues or questions you may have.

We do ask that applications be submitted no later than 4pm on a Thursday prior to your preferred weekend adoption date. This will give us time to thoroughly complete your application. Please also note that you will need to submit a photograph of your hen house and run as part of the application process.

The minimum number of hens you can reserve is three because hens are sociable and like to be part of a flock.  However, we will allow you to adopt two if you already have hens, or if you are are housing your birds in an Omlet Eglu we recommend two in an Eglu Go or Go UP, four-five in a Cube and seven-eight in a Pro.  The maximum number of hens you can adopt is 20, and they must all stay together with you.

Our rehoming days are dependent on farm slaughter dates, as this is when we can collect the hens. On average, our volunteer teams around the country usually hold rehomings every four to six weeks. Please apply before calling to book your hens. Our rehoming team may need to put you on a waiting list if we don’t have a confirmed date in your location. We will contact you as soon as we have a date booked in. Check our upcoming hen collection dates here

A donation of £3 per hen contributes towards our running costs, whilst £6 per hen means we can work towards saving more from slaughter and helps to fund other aspects of our work such as:

  1. providing a Hen Helpline service to anyone with a poorly hen
  2. increasing knowledge within the veterinary profession so our hens are better supported when they are poorly
  3. encouraging consumers to positively influence farming practices through their shopping basket, and
  4. supporting our affiliate charity in France as well as working on many other projects that help hens

Making a donation of £6 or more per hen means not only do you get to adopt some amazing family pets, but you also make a difference to those hens still waiting patiently for us to turn up with our lifesaving teams!

You can convert a regular shed or outbuilding, build your own coop, or buy a purpose-built hen house. Design, prices, quality and sizes vary hugely so do some research. It is far better to pay more for a sturdy, well-built house which will last for years, than buy a small, cheap, thin-walled coop which will soon fall apart and need replacing. You also need to decide on your preferred system: keeping the hens in a smaller house with attached run, frequently moving it onto a fresh area of lawn or ground or building a larger permanently-sited aviary type enclosure.

Most new coops and runs will have manufacturers’ recommendations on stocking rates; we advise you buy a hen house to accommodate more hens than you want. For example, if you want four hens, buy a hen house to accommodate six, then you can be sure there will be sufficient room. If you are unsure on numbers you can speak to our rehoming team and we will advise you.

Depending on the size of each chicken, our hens require the following as a MINIMUM, but please give them as much space as you can. Hens are social creatures and need enough space to ensure good social interaction. By restricting space, you are inviting unhealthy behaviour and stress in your flock. This is something to think about if you are planning for the future and are expecting to expand your flock.

  1. Floor space inside the house – minimum of 30cm squared per bird
  2. Perch space – minimum of 25cms per bird
  3. Outside run – ex-caged birds need a minimum of 1m squared per bird, all other hens need a minimum of 2m squared per bird, plus the ability to free range each day.

Foxes are attracted by hens; they will visit night or day and will kill your birds if they are not secure. They jump and climb like cats, so a standard 6′ or 7′ perimeter garden fence alone is not guaranteed to keep them out.

Our online shop has all you will need to start keeping chickens including a good range of books, feed, supplements, equipment, as well as chickeny gifts.  

Our one stop chicken shop helps to fund the rehoming of thousands of hens each year, so please spend generously! 

The hens are all commercial hybrids: Lohman Browns, Goldlines, Hylines or Isa’s, all of which are Rhode Island Red crosses. They are approximately 17 months old when we collect them from farms, and are off to slaughter because they are deemed no longer commercially viable as they may be laying fewer eggs. As well as hens from enriched cages (40-90 hens per cage) we also collect and rehome barn hens and some free-range hens too.

These hybrid hens are bred for docility and you will find they are gentle, inquisitive and friendly, eating out of your hand and following you around the garden and even into the house if you let them!

We never knowingly pass on a poorly hen and any that concern us are either retained until well enough to be adopted or in most cases join small flocks of special hens kept by our teams. However, sometimes limping hens can be rehomed if you have the experience, patience and facilities to rehabilitate them. Should you have an indoor area such as a barn, stable or outbuilding and are willing to adopt hens needing extra help, please mention this when you call or when you arrive on collection day.

Please note: all commercial farmers vaccinate, worm and salmonella test their birds as their eggs form part of the human food chain. However, these vaccinations do not always offer lifelong protection.

Most hens will go on to enjoy a long and happy free-range retirement. However, they have worked hard for almost 18 months and whilst we never knowingly rehome a poorly hen, as with any animal, some will have a shorter lifespan than others.

Because we cannot guarantee lifespan, occasionally a hen may die soon after adoption, which we know will be upsetting. Whilst we try our best to avoid this happening, we hope you will appreciate that your hen has at least experienced kindness outside of the commercial system which is more than she could have ever hoped for.

When adopting any pet it is good practice to register with a vet, we recommend you do this as soon as you have them rather than wait until you have a problem. Here you will find our list of Hen Friendly Vets.

It is not uncommon for hens to limp a few days after adoption. This is often a result of handling at the farm and/or weak legs. Do not remove the hen from the flock, but ensure she can access food and water. Limping and bruising usually subsides within two weeks; please call Hen Central on 01884 860084 for advice if you are concerned. We are always on the end of the phone, no matter how long you have had your hens.

If you experience issues with your hens within the first two weeks of adoption, please contact us on the number above and we will do our best to help.

If your hens are part of an established flock we will be unable to rehome them for you, but would advise using social media or contacting your local animal sanctuary if you find yourself unable to look after your hens.

We cannot guarantee the future laying capability of any individual hen, but most will carry on laying provided you feed them with a high quality feed (we recommend the Smallholder Range by Allen & Page) and do not give them too many treats, which can upset their nutritional balance. Whilst eggs will increase in size over time, it is likely they will decrease in numbers. Egg shell quality may decrease as hens get older and soft shelled eggs may be seen; this can be improved by using an egg shell improver.

Finally, be aware your hens are not used to finding and using a nest box and may initially lay their eggs wherever they happen to be!

Hens will usually need to be kept separate from your existing hens for a short period; please ask our advice on this. Some hens may be a little underweight and lack confidence when they first come out of the farm, while others are spirited and think they rule the roost from day one! It is also sensible to quarantine your new birds initially for up to two weeks. This will make final integration easier though there will always be some squabbling as a new pecking order is established.

We always advise you adopt a greater number of hens than you currently keep, so if you already have three hens, make sure you adopt at least four new ones, which gives the incoming hens advantage in numbers over those who are already familiar with your routine.

You may find the initial settling in period distressing as the hierarchy of the group is re-established. This can involve pecking, chasing, squawking, bullying, guarding of food and water sources. If you have problems, there are a few things you could try:

• Smear Vaseline on the combs of the bullied hens; the bullies will not be able to get a grip
• Put several sources of food and water in the pen to ensure they all can eat and drink
• Hang up distractions: shiny CDs, half cabbages or corn on the cobs, just above head height
• Give them space so the lowest ranking hen can stay out of trouble

It won’t take them long to realise there is more to life than squabbling. If you have ongoing bullying problems read our advice on merging and establishing a new flock or call us on 01884 860084. Please note: hens need keeping apart from cockerels for at least a month; the girls can easily be damaged as they may have weak legs and bald backs when first out of the farm.

These hens know little fear and will get along happily with cats, dogs, sheep and even llamas which act as great fox deterrents. If your existing pets are friendly, controllable and the introduction is supervised there shouldn’t be any problems. However, always supervise introductions and do not allow pets to mix until you are sure they will get along well.

Initially hens will not know how to shelter and may stand outside when it’s wet and windy, so you may need to physically put them in the coop if the weather is inclement.If rehoming in the winter, look at our Cold Weather Tips.

If you are rehoming during the summer months and you have hens with bald backs or heads, you may need to put sunblock on their skin on strong sunny days. You can buy sunblock suitable for pets. Here are our Hot Weather Tips.

We do not normally keep hens in stock; we take them out of the farm early in the morning, put them in crates and take them to the rehoming point for a health check. Adopters arrive later the same day. This way all the stress for the hens is confined to one day and they will go from cage to new retirement home in a matter of hours. There can be up to 50 adopters arriving to pick up hens on hen collection day, so please be patient if there is a short queue of cars or a wait when you arrive.

We want your hens to travel home in comfort and safety; it’s been a long day for them! A hen is about the size of a football so please bring either straw/newspaper lined cat carriers or dog crates or similar sized sturdy cardboard boxes with horizontal ventilation slits around 1 x 6 inches cut into the sides – please note stab holes are not sufficient! See below for examples. Crates and dog cages also need a base or cardboard in the bottom to prevent the hens getting their nails caught as the crate is moved. For their welfare, we do not allow hens to be driven home in enclosed saloon car boots.

Please take the trouble to organise this as you may be refused hens if you do not have adequate transportation. 

Box with crossBox with tick

When you get your girls back home we advise you put them in their hen house initially so they get accustomed to where ‘home’ is, but allow them outside access straight away provided you have a fenced area. Initially you may need to herd them in as darkness falls (or if it rains) and tempt them out again in the morning. But it won’t take them long to get the hang of free-range retirement!

The BHWT recommend Smallholder Range Natural Free Range Layers Crumble and Natural Free Range Layers Pellets, both of which are available from our online shop. This feed is unique in that it’s GM and soya free.

Both Smallholder Range Layers Crumble and Pellets can be fed to all poultry and provide all the nutrients your hens need. Caged hens will have been fed a dry mash all their lives, so the crumble is the perfect feed as they start their free range future.

Allen & Page, manufacturers of the Smallholder Range, are continuing to support our work by making regular donations to the charity for each bag of Natural Free Range Layers Crumble and Pellets sold so help us to raise funds for the charity.

It is fine to feed a small amount of mixed corn in the afternoon; this will guarantee they go to sleep with a full crop. Do not overfeed your hens with treats or scatter food on the ground as this will attract mice and rats and may adversely impact egg production. Click here for more information on feeding and hen treats.

Hen adopters in England and Wales
Registering poultry with DEFRA / APHA is a legal requirement for anyone with hens. Why? Because APHA will notify you by text should there be a notifiable disease outbreak in your area, which will give you time to take effective measures to protect your hens. Registration is free and can be carried out by:
  • Phone – 0800 634 1112
    Advisors will complete the form over the phone and then a completed copy will be sent to you. They’re open 8am to 8pm weekdays and 9am to 1pm weekends.
  • Website – visit Defra’s website to fill in the online form.

If you have been unable to find the information you need please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Hen Central on 01884 860084 or email us at hens@bhwt.org.uk

Hen adopters in Scotland
If your birds will be living in Scotland you must register them on the Scottish Kept Bird Register. Registration is easy via the Scottish Kept Birds Register

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