The British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) are pleased to announce that their millionth hen to be rehomed has been adopted by His Majesty The King.
The millionth hen, named Henrietta by His Majesty, was rehomed at Highgrove Gardens in Gloucestershire, along with 30 other hens, on Saturday, 17th August. Henrietta travelled in a hand-crafted carrier created by award-winning British fashion designer, Lulu Guinness. Highgrove Gardens surround the much-loved private residence of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla and are open to the public for tours, welcoming almost 30,000 visitors between April and October every year.
Founded in 2005 by Jane Howorth MBE, the British Hen Welfare Trust works to rehome commercial laying hens and encourages support for British free-range eggs. The national charity has rehomed hens in schools, community areas, prisons and back gardens across the country, inspiring the British public to see hens as much-loved pets.
Commercial laying hens are typically replaced with younger hens once they reach 18 months old to maintain maximum egg production and keep costs for consumers down, at which point the older hens are sent to slaughter. By working with farmers to provide a rehoming option for hens once their best laying days are behind them, the BHWT has proved these birds have much more life left – not just as laying hens in family gardens, but as companions.
Across the country the public have enthusiastically taken hens under their wing, helping the BHWT achieve the one million hen milestone.
Founder and CEO of the British Hen Welfare Trust, Jane Howorth MBE said: “We’re thrilled that one million hens have been adopted and extremely pleased that Henrietta and her 30 feathered friends are heading to Highgrove Gardens. Helping a lorry load of 4,000 was my original target and we’ve exceeded my expectations by some margin! To think that so many hens have had a happy retirement gives me a great deal of pleasure as I’m sure it has for all the kind-hearted British supporters who’ve taken these deserving little creatures into their homes and hearts.
“From the day I started this charity, it’s been a privilege to meet and work with people who want to help hens and to work alongside the egg industry to champion hen welfare and free range eggs.”
To find out more about rehoming and other ways to get involved visit www.bhwt.org.uk/one-millionth-hen.
See Henrietta and friends arriving at their new Royal home here.
Pic cap: The one. millionth hen, named Henrietta by His Majesty, was rehomed at Highgrove Gardens in Gloucestershire.
