Frequently Asked Questions
When is your next rehoming?
We advertise all upcoming rehoming dates and collection points on the website as soon as they are confirmed. We try to give you as much notice as we possibly can! If you don’t see a date that works for you, you are welcome to pre-register using our enquiry form. This ensures you are emailed the moment a new date is released so you can get your reservation in early.
How much is the donation?
We ask for a minimum donation of £2.75 per hen. We believe in transparency—this donation covers paying the farmers, hiring vans, fuel for our volunteer drivers, and vet care for poorly hens. As a non-profit, any extra funds go directly back into essential equipment like new transport crates, attending pet shows, and general marketing costs.
How many hens can I adopt?
We recommend a minimum of three hens. Hens are social flock animals and rely on each other for warmth and security; adopting three ensures that if one passes away, the others aren’t left alone. We generally cap adoptions at 25 hens, but if you have a specific setup or reason for wanting fewer than three (or a larger flock), please make a reservation and our team will chat with you about your requirements.
Do I need to donate in advance?
Yes, your donation secures your hens. Because we are a non-profit, we do not hold reserve funds to pay farmers or hire vans upfront—your donation allows the rescue to go ahead. However, if you change your mind up to a week before the rehoming date, you can cancel via our enquiries link and we will refund you in full.
How do I pay? (I don’t have PayPal)
You don’t need a PayPal account to donate! You can use any major debit or credit card. When you click the DONATE button, look for the option to ‘Pay by Debit or Credit Card’ or ‘Continue as Guest’ located below the PayPal login fields.
Can I pay on the day?
Sorry, we cannot accept payment on the day. Our volunteers do not have the facilities to hold cash or care for uncollected hens overnight, so we need all reservations secured in advance.
How do I know Fresh Start For Hens is legitimate?
We are proud of our reputation in the poultry community! We encourage you to ask about us on any British poultry forum or join our thriving Facebook Group. There, thousands of previous rehomers share photos of their happy hens and can verify our work.
What happens if a rehoming is cancelled?
On rare occasions, we may need to cancel a rehoming or may not have enough hens on the day. If this happens, we will let you know immediately. You will always have the choice of a full refund or moving your reservation to the next available date—the choice is entirely yours.
Why do you need my personal information?
We take data privacy seriously. We are required to keep a register of rehomers to comply with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to ensure birds can be traced in the event of a disease outbreak. We use your data for:
- Establishing that it is appropriate for us to rehome hens with you.
- Organising your adoption logistics (numbers and destination).
- Contacting you with collection details or support.
- Maintaining records for our own statistical audit and review.
- Meeting our statutory reporting requirements to DEFRA.
We never share your data with private companies or third parties without your permission.
Do I need to register my hens with the government?
If you keep 50 or more birds, you are legally required to register your flock with DEFRA. If you keep fewer than 50, registration is voluntary, but we encourage it as it helps you get alerts about bird flu in your area. Registration is free and can be done online here.
Do you comply with DEFRA regulations?
Yes. In line with statutory obligations, there are circumstances where we may need to disclose rehoming details to DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs). This would typically only arise in the event of a welfare concern or a communicable disease outbreak (such as Bird Flu) where tracing is necessary to protect the birds.
Separately from this, if you keep 50 or more birds, you are legally required to register your flock with DEFRA. If you keep fewer than 50, registration is voluntary, but we encourage it as it helps you get alerts about bird flu in your area. Registration is free and can be done online here.