One morning, as I got up for work, I caught an article on the news regarding the Hen Welfare Trust. A lady stood holding a rather large hen in her arms explaining how anybody could become the proud owner of chickens for free by giving ex-battery hens a home, providing fresh, daily eggs – the best you will ever taste. The Hen Welfare Trust intercept the hens on the way to the slaughterhouse and take them to a designated venue where members of the public can come pick them up, and take them home as their own.
I was really interested, and contacted the Hen Welfare Trust, to find out more (my next article will cover considerations before keeping hens, and an equipment needed list.). I found out after an initial outlay for a hen house, chickens are an extremely cheap animal to keep. They love kitchen leftovers and they earn their keep by laying eggs. Ex-battery hens which tend to be the large brown hens, are by nature very good egg layers. The idea of giving the birds the opportunity to stretch their legs and see sunlight in their old age really appealed to me.
After sorting out the accommodation for the birds, buying some feed and equipment, my Wife, daughter and I arranged to visit the next battery hen pick up. We had been warned the hens would be in a poor physical state because of the conditions that they had been kept in and there would be no guarantee all the hens would make it through the shock of becoming free range, let alone lay eggs. I don’t think anybody could have prepared us for seeing the hens in such a sorry state. Nearly all hens had vast amounts of feathers missing and their comb (the red sideways crown on top of their head) was a light pink colour and dropping to the side, which is a sure sign of an unhealthy hen.
My daughter picked out four hens and we placed them carefully into a straw lined box, and with great excitement we drove them home. We put the hens into their new enclosure and probably for the first hour, they stood rooted to the spot like statues, occasionally clucking. We had the feeling the outside world was just too much for them. We named the hens after old soul singers, Dusty, Lulu, Cilla and Aretha and then decided to give them some time to settle in without us staring! My Wife and I returned an hour later to find all four hens scratching around and Lulu with a worm hanging from her beak….we knew from that moment that we had made the right choice to rescue these hens! I found it amazing to think that although these hens had been enclosed in a battery farm for the first year of their lives, within and incredibly short period of time some deeply rooted, natural instinctive behaviour must have taken over, proving just where these hens should be.
Over the months the hens became stronger, their feathers started to grow back, their comb standing upright bright red and proud and they laid countless eggs! The hens have proven to be great pets, all developing different characters, sociable following you around in a pack and rewarding not only by laying eggs every day but by watching them flourish and enjoying their well deserved retirement.
Our hens lay amazing eggs which can be eaten in so many ways. I was given a tip from my late father – a few slithers of beetroot helps to turn the yolks a wonderful rich orange. And he was right, lovely to dip your soldiers in!
My next article will focus on some considerations and recommended equipment for keeping hens. In the mean time, I am off to create some egg-celent food…..groan!
|
|
WILTON CHICK EGG Easter Cake Pan 2105 2356 Duck Holiday Retired $7.99 |
|
|
Revere Ware Copper Clad Stainless Steel 10 Inch Skillet 6 Cup Egg Poacher & Lid $59.99 |
|
|
Really Cute Old Egg Plate With Hen $7.99 |
|
|
Silver Stainless Steel Egg Shape Kitchen Timer Alarm 60 Minute $8.40 |
|
|
4 Cup Non-Stick Egg Poacher / Fry Pan $34.99 |
|
|
Nordic Ware 64802 Microwave Egg Cooker $16.99 |
|
|
EMERGENCY SURVIVAL FOOD SCRAMBLED EGGS CASE $205.99 |
|
|
NEW Back to Basics TEM500 Egg and Muffin 2 Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher $35.59 |
|
|
New in Box egg CLEVER CRACKER & SCRAMBLER as seen on TV ORIGINAL MSRP $19.95 $0.89 |
|
|
Kitchen Duck Shaping Egg Mold Boiler Steamer White $4.10 |
I used to keep hens, and a duck that thought it was a hen. They are really funny the way they will see you and all run up to you, really affectionate !
@Frances -The great eggs have been a bonus but the best reward is watching the personality of the hens develop, They provide a lot of entertainment, I happily go down the garden and lose an hour watching their goings on. (O:
Got to love eggs! Eating eggs for breakfast makes you feel fuller for longer so that you eat less at your next few meals. Eggs are also packed with a variety of nutrients including protein, zinc, iron and vitamins A, D, E and B12, but contain just 85 calories each. I try and start the day with eggs, wholemeal toast and a glass of vitamin C-rich unsweetened orange juice, to help the body make the best use of the iron in the eggs.
We had a rescue hen that was found in Brookly, New York, running around, plucked and ready for the Korean market to recapture. My opinion of hens changed for evermore. As in the article, she grew back her feathers, her beak remained square from being clipped .. but it gave her a cute lobsided look. The family cats looked on her with respect figuring that this must be the God of Sparrows! I am now going to check out US rescue for hens…
@ Josh – I think eggs should be classed as a super food for all the goodness they hold (O:
@ Christien- International Hen Rescue I love it!
We have several free range hens – fresh, free range eggs are fantastic – although the hens do have an unfortunate tenancy to much at, and scratch away the flower beds if left unchecked.
I’ve found that a mixture of used coffee grounds, and a small amount of dried chilli powder will deter them for the most part (good for the soil too). If that doesn’t work, a quick spray with the hose pipe will get them moving.
@ Paul – I like your tip, I forgot to mention, They will eat anything including your prize blooms, so caution is required before letting them loose!
I found your article on keeping hens fascinating, so much so that we have invested in keeping hens ourselves. Just as the article indicated it is a quick and easy process and also has proved to be most cost effective. The real bonus is that not only does it enhance the flavour of dishes but we really do know the eggs are fresh. I will continue to visit your site and look forward to more recipes.
@ Margot – wow, glad my article inspired you so much! Great to hear your hens are getting along well and producing, let me know how you get on with the eggs
[...] Start them off in smaller spaces 1st as they may harm themselves if they go straight to big spaces. I don't know anything else about chickens but I am so happy you are helping these chickens + saving them from a horrific life + death. Powered by Yahoo! Answers Robert asks… Can you keep chickens and ducks in the same coop/house? My family have been looking … [...]