Chicken Foot Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about rehoming hens, donations and collection.
We list upcoming rehoming dates and collection points on the website as soon as they are confirmed. If there is no suitable date, you can apply to join the waiting list. You can separately choose to receive emails when new dates are available.
We ask for a minimum donation of £2.75 per hen or £5 per duck. Donations help cover costs associated with rehoming, including vehicle hire, fuel for volunteer journeys and veterinary care for birds who need it.

The application form accepts 1–25 hens or 3–25 ducks. We will ask you to send us photos of your coop and run of adequate size for the number of birds you would like to adopt. If you would like more than 25 birds, please contact us before applying so we can discuss your circumstances.

Yes. Please make the minimum donation through your application at least 48 hours before collection. If you cancel at least one week before your rehoming date, we’ll refund it in full.
No. You can pay by debit or credit card through PayPal from your application page without creating a PayPal account. The Donate button on the donations page is for separate gifts and will not pay for your application.
No. We need the minimum donation in advance to plan the rehoming.
We’ll contact you if a rehoming is cancelled and offer a full refund or a place at the next suitable date. If no future date is available, we’ll refund you within one week. If fewer hens are available on the day, you can choose a refund for the missing hens or arrange replacements.

Your coop must have 30cm sq of roosting space per hen inside as well as adequate nesting boxes. Your secure run must have a minimum of 1.2 m sq of run space per hen (excluding any space under your coop). We also need to see that the coop has a secure door to keep the hens safe from predators. 

We keep rehoming records and share information with the relevant authorities where required. In England and Wales, you must register with the Animal and Plant Health Agency within one month of keeping poultry, including pet flocks of fewer than 50 birds. Check the current GOV.UK registration guidance.

We use your details to review your application, organise collection, contact you about your hens and keep records required for animal health and legal purposes. We also use service providers to run the website and process payments. Our privacy policy explains what we collect, who we share it with and your rights.

We’ve helped more than 10,000 families adopt hens. You can also find us on Facebook, where previous adopters share their experiences. If you have a question about your application, contact our team at adminteam@freshstartforhens.co.uk.

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