News

FSFH and COVID-19

Anyone who knows us will know we are down to earth and practical, as well as passionate about rehoming hens!
We will continue doing this with the same passion for as long as possible throughout the COVID-19 situation.

Volunteers have all been briefed, and we would like to share with you our plans for carrying on, without drama, through this difficult time – the hens are depending on us!

Collection Points
Some of our collection point hosts may have to self isolate.We are lucky that we have a dedicated team of helpers, and so wherever possible we will continue to run the collection points as planned. However, changes may need to be made at the last minute, so please keep a close eye on your emails – if you have supplied a mobile number, we will also send you a text message to alert you to a new email.

If we have to close a collection point at short notice, we will email and text you with as much notice as possible, ideally giving you an alternative location to collect from, or worst case scenario, moving you to a future date.

We may have to alter driver routes at short notice, which could have an impact on your collection times – again, as much notice as possible will be given.

Self isolating rehomers.
If you have had to self isolate but are still well enough to collect your hens, please contact your collection point and let them know.

When you arrive at the CP, remain in your vehicle and phone the CP host (the number will be on your email).
They will box up your hens and bring them to your vehicle/designated collection spot, giving you the thumbs up when your full number are ready. After they have retreated, you may leave your vehicle and load your hens. We will mark the paperwork on your behalf, so no need to sign.

Last minute cancellations.
If you are too unwell to collect your hens and have no-one else who can collect on your behalf, please let the collection point host know, AND email adminteam@freshstartforhens.co.uk, giving as much notice as possible.

If you do this, we can move your reservation to a future date or refund your donation, if you prefer.

We do not issue refunds to rehomers who simply do not show up without contacting us, although we do listen to you if you get in touch 

We are trying hard to maintain a balance and keep saving these hens with minimal drama. We will keep you informed of any updates to our policies.

Please keep yourselves and your loved ones well, as far as you can 

3 weeks to go and 3000 hens without homes!

We can only do this if they have homes to go to.

5500 free range hens across England and Wales on the 7th & 14th March.

New collection points have been added for this rehome date including Selby (7th & 14th March), Ross-on-Wye (14th March), Mansfield (7th March) and direct from Minskip Farm Shop (7th March)

If you would like to reserve some hens please click here to complete an application form.

 

3 weeks to go and 3000 hens without homes!

We can only do this if they have homes to go to.

5500 free range hens across England and Wales on the 7th & 14th March.

New collection points have been added for this rehome date including Selby (7th & 14th March), Ross-on-Wye (14th March), Mansfield (7th March) and direct from Minskip Farm Shop (7th March)

If you would like to reserve some hens please click here to complete an application form.

So far in 2020, we have collected 4506 hens from commercial farms, the majority of which have started their lives in back gardens, schools and community associations.

Our diary is looking really busy for the coming months, with live rehome dates on the website for 22nd February (almost all gone), and our new Yorkshire farm on 7th and 14th March. Upcoming dates are already in planning – 28th March and then 4th and 18th April, with the fabulous Mac’s Farm hens.

We also have 500 ex commercial ducks coming on 8th March, although almost all of these have found homes already and we have now closed reservations.

We have lots of new volunteers coming on board and collection points are springing up in areas we’ve had little coverage previously, such as Oxford, Bromsgrove and Darlington, to name just a few. We could not run without our volunteer team and we are always looking for more, particularly drivers who are happy to hire and drive vans throughout England and Wales. If this is something that you would be interested in, please check out our website and complete the volunteer form.

We have an amazing team of volunteers who get thousands of hens out of cages and barns every year, and into forever homes.

We are currently in the process of extending our network of Collection Points in England and Wales and are looking for volunteers to:

• Host collection points
• Assist at local collection points
• Drive vans to transport hens

In addition to the above – we have a farm team made up of experienced, trusted volunteers who help us to take hens out of cages and barns. The hens are checked over for any ailments/illness before loading them into poultry crates and onto vans, ready for transportation by our drivers to the many collection points.

Extending our network of collection points will allow us to get hens out to many more rehomers and ultimately allow us to save more hens.

If you would like to become a Volunteer then further information and an application form is available here.