Through Karen’s blog “Ex-Battery Hens: Give a Little Brown Hen a Chance”, I recently found a battery hen and pet rescue group operating in Bedfordshire. It’s worth noting that Free At Last also rehome lots of other animals, such as ferrets, rabbits, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice and even rats (very intelligent!). Free At Last are also trying to rehome some cockrels, muscovy and call ducks.

As anyone that reads my blog knows, the welfare of battery hens is something very close to my heart, and my home! It’s appalling to think that so many millions of birds are subject to this sort of life, and then mostly just discarded as cheap pies or pet food afterwards. The least we can do, whilst this system exists, is to give them the respect that they deserve. As consumers we take, take, take. So why not give something back and give them a life that they can enjoy, free to carry out behaviours that they are denied in the battery cages. Mine hadn’t learnt from other hens, yet with a little time they were soon dustbathing, stretching and flapping their wings, scratching, and grazing as hens are supposed to. They are built for the outdoor life, and the change in them once they are afforded that freedom is magnificent.

I am also a staunch supporter of the BHWT, but as there is no local branch, for me at least it is logistically much easier to rescue from inside my own county. Even by telling my story to friends and family, I am raising awareness of the plight of these birds. Chickens are the most used and abused animal in this country - so the work of Free At Last, however big or small, is so important.

If you are thinking of adopting ex-battery hens, dogs, rabbits or any other small furry, why not email Free At Last: hen_rescue@yahoo.co.uk

They don’t just rehome exclusively in Bedfordshire, some animals are ready for rehoming from as far away as Staffordshire.