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Welcome to Fresh Start for Hens

We are a not for profit organisation, run entirely by volunteers who are dedicated to rehoming hens from the commercial egg production sector.

OUR AIM is to ensure as many people as possible are aware of the plight of the commercial hen, and demonstrate that there are alternatives to early slaughter.

OUR COMMITMENT is to rehome as many hens as we can into suitable homes, where they can live out the rest of their natural lives.

OUR GOAL is to educate the public about the ethical benefits of buying free range eggs, whilst supporting the work of British farmers.

Commercially, all laying hens are slaughtered at the age of 72 weeks, when their production drops slightly. Their carcasses are worth very little and are usually sold for dog food, baby food or cheap, processed pies etc. We work closely with British farmers and purchase the hens from the caged, barn and free range systems, just before their slaughter date. While these hens are often referred to as ex battery hens, the old style battery cages are no longer in use, with a new style, enriched colony cage being used instead.

We rehome hens to a diverse range of individuals wanting hens as pets or companion animals. Hens have begun their new lives in town, city and country gardens, allotments, schools and residential care homes. You don’t need to have a big garden to keep a few hens, they will be grateful for the additional years of freedom you can offer them and reward you with their entertaining antics and probably an egg or two. To this end, we do not rehome to people wishing sell them on or for further commercial purposes.

Registering for Hens and Ducks

Rehoming dates for 2025:

11th January – 1700 Free range hens – reservations CLOSED!

18th January – 1000 Free Range hens – reservations OPEN!

25th January – 2450 Free Range hens & 1600 caged hens – reservations OPEN!

1st February – 2000 Free Range hens – coming soon

8th February – 2000 Free Range hens – coming soon

15th & 22nd February – 5500 Organic Free Range – coming soon

To reserve hens from one of the upcoming dates or to register interest in our future rescues, please visit click on the “register” section on the website.

Demand for hens is very high at the moment, hence we are working far in advance. Please ensure you send photos and donation with your reservation to guarantee you get your hens.

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