As you’ll no doubt have spotted, there’s been one or two changes around here.

I hope you love the new-look Chicken & Egg as much as I do. My delightful colleague Andy has given the magazine a real shake-up and I think he’s done a brilliant job. It feels fresh, joyous and full of life, which is exactly what it needs. Please do let us know what you think. Beneath the lick of fresh paint, there’s plenty to get stuck into. We have actual Spice Girl Mel B chatting away with disarming openness about family, farm life and, of course, her flock. We also shine a light on some extraordinary ways hens are helping people, from prisons and psychiatric care to schools, universities and community projects. I have endless faith in these little birds and it’s wonderful to see the breadth of our ‘hens as therapy’ work laid out so handsomely.

Dearsupporters,

I’m hugely grateful too for the immediate support we have seen for Helping Quail, our new project in partnership with FAI Farms. It is early days, but this is a vital piece of work and one I hope will ultimately make a real difference to quail welfare around the world. Now well into our 22nd year, I’m immensely proud of how far the charity has come. Our work through World Hen Welfare continues to expand, while here at home we’re still doing what we’ve always done best, giving ex-commercial hens the chance to enjoy a happy retirement. Add in some fab competitions, volunteer stories, useful advice, fundraising inspiration and more gorgeous hen photos than is probably sensible, and there should be plenty here to raise a smile now the nights are drawing in. And please keep sending us your stories because this magazine belongs to you too. Thank you, as ever, for being part of it all. Warmest wishes

jane howorth mbefounder & ceo