A THOUSAND hens being rescued from slaughter are in need of new homes.

The healthy, free-range chickens, which come from the Macs Farm in Sussex, are only 80 weeks old but are now considered past their prime commercially.

Volunteer hen re-homer Celia Marker is hoping to find forever homes for the 1,000 hens, which will be available for collection from Cadnam and Ringwood in July.

“Sadly, at 80 weeks, many healthy, free-range hens are sent to slaughter because supermarkets cannot be guaranteed exactly shaped or sized eggs or the same level of productivity.

“The hens are Warren (hybrid laying hens) which come from a farm where their owner prefers re-homing to the slaughter van.

“The hens will still lay merrily at three to five-years-old. They are in good condition, healthy, and treated for mites.”

Celia is currently taking orders from people looking to re-home any of the hens. They cost £1.50 each, and a minimum of five can be re-homed.

Celia volunteered to re-home the hens around eight years ago, on behalf of Shoreham Rescue.

She organises the annual re-homing event, which this year takes place at Woolsbridge Industrial Estate, Three Legged Cross, on Saturday, July 15, and Petlake Alpaca Farm, Cadnam, on Sunday 16.

“They must be guaranteed forever homes and be in secure, fox-proof pens,” Celia said.

“There is no point rescuing them from death for them to be slaughtered by Mr Fox a few weeks later.

“People love hens, and they are very much a pet too. I also occasionally get orders for 50 plus hens from people who run a small farm or a guest house.

“We will find homes for all the hens as they have all been rescued from slaughter,” she added.

“The money raised from re-homing them pays for the cost of hiring vans for transport, and anything extra goes to animal charities.”

To find out more about re-homing the hens, visit henrehome.co.uk.