Holy Cluck
Inspired by programmes like Jimmy’s Farm, River Cottage and Jamie Oliver I decided I’d like to rescue some ex-battery chickens. Knowing that these poor little creatures would be slaughtered for dog food at 18 months old just because they didn’t lay a perfect egg everyday really saddened me. I also liked the thought of these funny and quirky pets in my garden enjoying a lovely retirement, not to mention some fresh eggs from happy hens. I did some research and contacted my local Battery Hen Welfare Trust coordinator who put me on the list for adoption. The poor things were bald, pale and so bemused by normal things like sky, grass under foot and more room than an A4 piece of paper sized space their battery cage gave them previously. They also have so many egg producing days ahead of them.
In the end I rescued two girls; Babs & Gladys, and bought two ‘normal’ hens; Betty & Mabel, to complete my flock. They helped to teach the battery girls how to be normal chickens. It caught on, even my mother has chooks now. They make great pets, take very little effort to look after and you can even get funky colourful houses for them in your garden called Eglus, made by a company called Omlet. Very stylish. Chickens really are addictive characters and the eggs they produce are so yummy. Give it a go yourself.
Have fun!
Stacey
http://www.bhwt.org.uk
http://www.omlet.co.uk
