OVER two hundred ex-battery hens have been saved from the slaughterhouse after kind-hearted residents of the area decided to adopt them.

The Times recently published an appeal for permanent homes for the hens who had come to the end of their commercial life.

The hens were from a caged farm in Cornwall and the British Hen Welfare Trust was giving them the opportunity for a free range retirement.

An adoption day was held at South Zeal near Okehampton by the charity on December 20 after scores of people responded to the appeal, both experienced and first time chicken keepers.

Local co-ordinator Gaynor Davies said: ‘The day was hugely successful, with lots of happy people, especially families. We had lots of children coming along, with some families homing chickens for the first time.’

Battery hens have a commercial life of around 18 months. Although they lay perfectly well after this time farmers cannot guarantee that they will lay one perfect egg every single day.

Gaynor continued: If we don’t take these chickens from the farm then they just go to slaughter. Often they would end up in pet food or stock cubes, so to have so many be adopted, and then have a similar number get adopted at an event in South Molton, means we have saved an awful lot of chickens.’

People adopting the chickens were asked to make a small donation to cover costs and to save more hens from slaughter.

But, if you missed out this time, don’t worry there will be other adoption days in the future.

To find out more call the British Hen Welfare Trust on 01884 860084 or e-mail [email protected]