170 Devon chickens need homes to avoid slaughter this weekend

Around 170 ex-battery hens in Devon - who have never seen daylight before - will be slaughtered this weekend, unless homes can be found for them.

The British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT), based at Rose Ash in North Devon, are looking to rehome the birds on Sunday at two locations in the county - but say they cannot save the hens if they do not have homes to go to.

The charity is appealing to anyone who has a bit of space in their back garden to consider giving a home to some ex-bats.

A BHWT spokesman said: "The hens are around 18 months old when they are sent to slaughter because their egg laying has slowed down, and whilst they don't come with guarantees, they are generally happy to offer a tasty reward to someone offering to save their lives.

"Furthermore they will guarantee to any would-be adopter fun and affection. These little hens are seriously good at worming their way into hearts."

The rehoming sessions in Devon are among several taking place across the country this coming weekend.

The Devon sessions take place on Sunday, August 6 at Rose Ash - where 60 chickens need to be rehomed - and Okehampton - where 110 are without homes.

All the hens have been working hard for 18 months, laying eggs to be sold in supermarkets or go into processed foods. They have never seen daylight, stood on soft grass nor scratched for bugs and slugs.

Gaynor Davies, the charity's Head of Operations, said: "There is no better feeling than watching these girls flourish after they emerge from the commercial system.

"They have a full bill of health and will soon become much-loved pets. With a bit of TLC they become incredibly tame, and they're often described as cats and dogs with feathers.

"If you've ever considered giving some ex-bats a home my only advice would be to do it. You won't regret it."

Here are the details of the other sessions across the UK:

Saturday, 5 August

Rotherham (Letwell): 300 hens in total, 100 without homes

Cambridge (Godmanchester): 300 hens in total, 200 without homes

Nottinghamshire (Newark): 400 hens in total, 200 without homes

Lincolnshire (Stamford): 300 hens in total, 190 without homes

Norfolk (Kings Lynn): 230 hens in total, 80 without homes

Sunday, 6 August

Dorset (Bourton): 200 hens in total, 60 without homes

Sussex (Arundel): 240 hens in total, 115 without homes

Cornwall (Liskeard): 150 hens in total, 115 without homes

Cornwall (Redruth): 150 hens in total, 100 without homes

Devon (Rose Ash): 150 hens in total, 60 without homes

Devon (Okehampton): 150 hens in total, 110 without homes

If you're interested in re-homing some hens, simply register your details on our website at www.bhwt.org.uk or call 01884 860084 for more information.

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