If you are interested in rehoming a hen, now you can through the Fresh Start for Hens collection point in Ross-on-Wye.

Fresh Start for Hens is a charity organisation rehoming hens to live out their natural lives instead of being sent to slaughter at 72 weeks. Last year, the organisation saved 55,000 birds. 

Heather Wadley has opened her property in Gorsley as a collection point for over 100 hens each month.

Heather said: “You don’t need acres of land to take in a hen. A normal garden is enough room, as long as you don’t mind your borders getting a bit pecked up!

“Get yourself a prey proof coupe and a bit of free range land and they will be happy. 

“They’re fantastic birds and a lot of them have such a cheeky, funny side to them. They are just overall lovely pets.

“They don’t take a lot of time or effort but actually, people who take in the hens end up spending a lot of time with them.”

The organisation is run by volunteers such as, land owners who offer their property as a place for the hens to be kept until collected and drivers to transport the hens to the collection points. 

Heather describes getting everyone through the lanes and to her property on collection day as “a military operation”.

“We once had 307 hens collected on one day, and trying to get everyone through the lanes was a bit of a mission.

“It as chaos but we manage it. It is hard work but I really do enjoy it.” 

Heather’s collection point is one of 116 in England and Wales. To reserve a hen and find a collection point near you, go to their website https://freshstartforhens.co.uk/.

The next two collection days at this location are Sunday, February 25 and Saturday, March 23. 

Once you have requested to reserve a hen via the website, you will complete a range of checks to ensure you have adequate space and facilities to take one in.

You will then receive an appointment to collect. On arrival, Heather will give you some information on how to look after your new pet. 

“We want the hens to go to someone’s home and be a pet and a companion. We want them to have the retirement they deserve,” she said.