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Charities unite to rescue hens
Sarah Carr
Sarah Carr with her daughter Bethany, Marie Channer and Julie Lankshire.

British Hen Welfare Trust and Wood Green find homes for hundreds of birds

Hundreds of hens have been handed over to the Godmanchester headquarters of Wood Green by the British Hen Welfare Trust, following a joint mission to rescue thousands of former commercial birds.

Over 300 hens are now available for adoption, with some already having found new homes.

Among those prepared to give the chickens a new home is Sarah Carr, who travelled from just outside King's Lynn with her daughter Bethany to claim 10 of the hens.

Sarah said: "I've always wanted hens and had been searching online to find out about rehoming, so we jumped at the chance to take 10 from this latest rescue.

"My daughter has been incredibly excited in the lead-up to the big day, and has been watching us build a coop and run in preparation.

"She's named some of the hens after Frozen characters, and was delighted to find we had six eggs on the first morning of having them."

The British Hen Welfare Trust has been finding homes for almost 500,000 ex-commercial hens, otherwise destined for slaughter, since 2005.

Two weeks ago, the charity joined forces with Wood Green to stage a rehoming rescue for thousands of former commercial hens.

Of the 250 hens that arrived on the first day, all were rehomed the same week.

Marie Channer, field and small animal welfare manager at Wood Green, said: "We are delighted to be working with British Hen Welfare trust on these rescues and enabling ex-commercial birds to have a better existence."

Julie Lankshear from British Hen Welfare added: "It is great to see these healthy, strong girls enjoying some well-earned freedom."

Hens are now fast becoming popular family pets in both urban and countryside areas. Among the celebrities said to be a fan of keeping chicks are Jamie Oliver, Jennifer Aniston, Oprah Winfrey and Billie Piper.

To find out more about rehoming hens visit www.woodgreen.org.uk.

Image (C) Wood Green

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.