The spring is a good time to think about getting some hens

What you need to know about adopting hens from the BHWT

With spring in the air and eggs on our mind, now's a great time to think about expanding your flock or starting out with a few second-hand hens. Diligent layers, friendly, precocious, and endearing are just a few of the common descriptors used to describe ex-commercial hens. The most common phrase? Life enriching.

Let's get started with the basics, from how many hens to adopt to introducing them to resident pets...

How many hens can I adopt?

Hens are sociable creatures and like to be part of a flock, so the minimum number of hens you can reserve is three. If you already have hens then you can adopt just two, while the most you can adopt is 20 which must all stay together with you.

Can I adopt hens if I already have other chickens?

Yes! We always advise you adopt a greater number of hens than you currently keep, so if you already have, say, three hens, make sure you adopt at least four new ones. This gives the incoming hens advantage in numbers over those who are already familiar with your routine and will help them settle better.

When can I get my hens?

Our rehoming days are timed around when farms are 'depopulating' (in other words, making way for new hens by sending their current flock to slaughter). Our volunteer teams around the country usually hold rehomings every four to six weeks and you can check our upcoming collection dates on our website. You'll need to apply to rehome and book your hens first, so do give us a call; this essentially allows us to ensure we are giving you the best advice we possibly can.

What will a hen cost?